two questions on pink diamonds

[pad3006]

Hi Everyone;
I know that most of the pink diamonds mined today are from Australia (Argyle mine). So I am wondering, is it best to get pink diamonds from Australian diamond sellers? Or does it not really make any difference. I wasn''r sure if they would be highly taxed being exported to the US and other countries.
Also, are there any online sites or books with any information about them, like what to look for and that sort of thing? I know a fair amount about white diamonds but I know that colored diamonds are not quite the same b/c they are not cut for clarity but instead to retain wieght and color. Thanks very much.

Phil

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

Date: 9/4/2006 11:08:46 AM
Author:pad3006
Hi Everyone;
I know that most of the pink diamonds mined today are from Australia (Argyle mine). So I am wondering, is it best to get pink diamonds from Australian diamond sellers? Or does it not really make any difference. I wasn''r sure if they would be highly taxed being exported to the US and other countries.
Also, are there any online sites or books with any information about them, like what to look for and that sort of thing? I know a fair amount about white diamonds but I know that colored diamonds are not quite the same b/c they are not cut for clarity but instead to retain wieght and color. Thanks very much.

Phil

Hey Phil:

When your dealing with pinks the vendor the stone is originating from is important, but more so the certificate accompanying the stone along with getting an independent analysis done.Different buyers bid on a given lot of stones after a years production from the Argyle Mine. Garry Holloway might have had the privelige of attending one of these events.

A site that I like to frequent is www.preciousgemstones.com who''s author Robert Genis put''s out a gemstone forcaster newsletter. If you type in the search bar pink diamonds a link with the title below will appear. Click on it and it gives great information on Pink''s.

Colored Diamonds: Australian Pink

Hope this helps. I think Robert also has some small fancy pinks in his inventory..

 

[maxspinel]

I got a pink diamond recently. In the course of pursuing it, I have the following observations. These comments are only based on a very limited sample of 15 stones that I’ve actually seen in person. The observations are not validated by any expert so it might well be my own imagination.

1) GIA grading of the pink diamonds does not seem to be consistent. I’ve seen a light pink looks more pink than a fancy. It must be my imagination running wild.
2) For fancy yellows, the intense seems to be only a tag better than the fancy. However, for the pinks, the differences can be dramatic. All the intense stones that I saw have very saturated color while most fancies look washed out.
3) A lot of pink diamonds opted for only GIA color report. Important details on the white diamonds report such as clarity, symmetry, flourescense are all left out. All the cert does is to certify that it is a natural colored diamond. Even though clarity and cut is not as important. However, the diamond has to be beautiful. Some are so badly cut or included that it does not even sparkle or look like a diamond.
4) It is not easy to purchase a colored diamond long distance. One has to really view it in person to appreciate the color and the make. Unlike white diamonds, is it hard to evaluate the final product based on specification and data. There is too much room for error.
5) For some fancies with a tiny tint of brownish modifier, it is really hard to discern the presence of brown in the body color. I can only tell when they disclose the price. GIA certificate does not provide details on intensity of the secondary color.

Again, these are just my personal observations. Have fun in your pursuit of pink diamonds. They are worth it.

 

[Odilia]

I have a pink diamond question as well. If the pink diamond is only a few points, just an accent stone, does quality matter much, and if so, what should one look for? (we're talking less than 5 pts, maybe 2 points?) At that small a size, does it matter if it's natural or not?

ETA: pad3006 - I apologize for the threadjack! Just as I hit submit I was like, "oops!" Sorry about that!