When it comes to diamonds, blue ones are among the rarest and most valuable, particularly larger diamonds with a deeper blue color. So, how do these diamonds get their color – are they natural or manmade?
Blue diamonds can be both natural and manmade. Natural blue diamonds are the ones that are considered rare and valuable while man-made blue diamonds are actually clear diamonds that have been treated.
Read on to find out more about natural blue diamonds and manmade versions.
How Are Natural Blue Diamonds Created?
Natural blue diamonds are rare and valuable, and there are only a couple of mines where they can be found. These are the Cullinan mine located in South Africa as well as Australia’s Argyle mine.
Blue diamonds that are created by nature are stunning in appearance. So, what makes these diamonds blue, and how are they created in nature?
All diamonds are the result of carbon that is fused due to intense pressure and heat over millions of years. With blue diamonds, the color is due to the presence of an element called boron.
In fact, one of the world’s most famous diamond, the Hope diamond, has a very high concentration of boron.
In addition, the intensity of the blue color can depend upon nitrogen levels when the diamond is formed. Lower nitrogen levels during the formation of the diamond can result in a much deeper blue color if the level of boron is high.
Natural blue diamonds can be found in a variety of different shades of blue, and this is something that can affect their value. This includes blue diamonds with hues of gray, violet, and green.
However, the ones that are considered the most valuable are rich blue diamonds, which are more intense and purer in color. This also means makes them rarer than the diluted shades of blue.
How Do Natural Blue Diamonds Differ from Manmade Ones?
As mentioned earlier, blue diamonds can be natural or manmade, and there are key differences between the two. Manmade blue diamonds are essentially white diamonds that are heat-treated in a lab to change their color.
One of the key differences between natural and manmade blue diamonds is the value. Natural blue diamonds are the ones that are rare, and this means that their value is much higher than manmade versions.
The color and tone of manmade blue diamonds are very different from that of natural ones. There is a different hue to manmade versions compared to natural blue diamonds, and this makes it easy for industry professionals to tell the difference.
One additional interesting point to keep in mind is that natural blue diamonds can actually conduct electricity, unlike manmade ones. This is because of the boron in the natural diamonds.
What Affects the Value of a Blue Diamond?
There are various things that can affect the value of a blue diamond, and the difference in value can be considerable based on these differences. It is worth familiarizing yourself with some of the factors that can impact the value of these diamonds.
One of the key things that will affect the value of a blue diamond is whether it is natural or manmade. Since the manmade ones are not truly blue diamonds, their value will be much lower than a natural blue diamond.
The shade of blue, which is affected by nitrogen and boron levels during formation, will also have an impact on value. This is something that will also affect the rarity of the diamond.
Natural blue diamonds that have hues of additional colors such as green or grey are still valuable but not as much as pure blue. The pure blue ones that have a deep and rich color are the most valuable and rare of blue diamonds.
Of course, the size and cut of the diamond is another thing that will have an impact on the value of the gem. In addition, the intensity of the stone and color will have an effect on its value.
A Stunning Choice for a Range of Jewelry
It is worth noting that when blue diamonds are prepared to create jewelry, they go through a process that involves cutting and polishing. This process can have an impact on the color, so it may be a little different from the rough stone.
These days, blue diamonds are used to create all sorts of stunning pieces of jewelry. This includes necklace pendants, earrings, rings, and brooches.
Of course, you have to remember that natural blue diamonds are rare and valuable. So, you will find that the cost of buying jewelry with natural blue diamonds is far higher than many other variations.