Learn About Blue Diamond
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is home to the most famous fancy blue diamond - the Hope Diamond.
Blue Diamond
- Diamond
- 10 Mohs
-
Aries , Taurus
- Faith, Trust
- April Birthstone
Round
Princess
PrincessOverview
Enhanced blue diamonds are natural diamonds that have undergone color enhancement treatments. Such methods, usually irradiation, transform the otherwise colorless precious stone into a vibrant shade of blue. These treatments are typically permanent and do not damage the diamond’s chemical structure.
Untreated, natural blue diamonds can be found, but they are extremely rare. This scarcity makes them one of the most sought-after and expensive gemstones available today. The jaw-dropping Hope Diamond, weighing over 45 carats and insured for US $250 million, is a fine example.
Properties
Rated 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness
01Hardness & Strength
When it comes to jewelry, a diamond in any color is an infallible choice. It has a rating of 10 on the Mohs scale and is one of the hardest substances known to mankind. This attribute makes diamond jewelry perfect for daily wear.
Color enhancement treatments performed on a diamond to achieve the blue hue do not alter the stone’s physical properties. Therefore, enhanced blue diamonds are a wonderful choice for all types of jewelry. They can be worn daily without the fear of damages, such as scratches and chipping.
02Treatment
The color enhancement treatments done today are safe and effective. Below are the two most common industry practices used to alter the hue of this precious stone:
- Irradiation
- High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT)
The 4C’s
The below-mentioned factors help determine a Enhanced Blue Diamond's true value:
- color
- carat
- clarity
- cuts
01Color
- When it comes to assessing the value of a gem, its color is often the most crucial element. This applies to an enhanced blue diamond as well.
- While blue is the dominant color, the enhanced gem can also sometimes have shades of grey and green.
- The stone’s value and quality can be evaluated on the basis of the tone and saturation of the color.
02Carat
- In addition to color, carat size plays an important role in assessing the value of an enhanced blue diamond.
- In general, large sized diamonds are rarer than small diamonds, due to which they command a higher price.
- The same applies for an enhanced blue diamond. Bigger the stone, the more it will weigh, and this will simultaneously increase the cost.
03Clarity
- It’s rare to find inclusions in a high-quality enhanced blue diamond.
- Even if present, they do not affect the value in the same manner as a colorless diamond. This is mainly because the color of a blue diamond camouflages the imperfections to a certain extent.
- Stones that display good clarity, and have fewer inclusions and external flaws will always demand a higher price.
04Cuts
- In the case of a colorless diamond, special focus is given to the cut as it helps maximize the brilliance of a stone.
- When it comes to blue diamonds, the cut plays an important role in achieving the best color possible, which is directly proportional to its value.
Know About Other Diamonds
Blue Diamond
“The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is home to the most famous fancy blue diamond - the Hope Diamond.”
- Diamond
- Blue
- 10 Mohs
- Aries , Taurus
- Faith, Trust
- April
- Round
Princess
Know About Other Diamonds
White Diamond
Diamonds are almost as old as the earth! It takes millions of years for these stunners to form within the earth's crust.
- Diamond
- Colorless
- 10 Mohs
- Aries , Taurus
- Strength, Abundance, Eternal love
- April
Black Diamond
It's Carrie Bradshaw’s black diamond engagement ring in Sex and the City 2 that brought this gem into the spotlight.
- Diamond
- Black
- 10 Mohs
- Aries , Taurus
- Courage, Inner strength
- April
Coffee Diamond
Brown diamonds are also known as coffee, toffee and champagne diamonds. We think this gem is as tempting as the names it goes by.
- Diamond
- Brown
- 10 Mohs
- Aries , Taurus
- Order, Stability, Clarity
- April
Quality & Grading
Based on its various properties, an enhanced blue diamond can be further distinguished into the following categories of quality.
| Gem Quality | Color | Clarity | Brilliance | Rareness | Shop Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best (AAA) |  Teal Blue | Slightly Included | Medium to High | Top 10% |
Round Enhanced Blue Diamond Cushion Halo Ring with Milgrain$3059 |
| Better (AA) |  Greenish Blue | Included | Medium | Top 25% |
|
Care Instructions
Famed for its hardness and durability, this precious gemstone is almost invincible. However, care needs to be taken to ensure that your blue diamond jewelry stays beautiful for years to come.
FAQs
1. Are enhanced blue diamonds rare?
Enhanced blue diamonds are not rare. However, untreated naturally occurring blue diamonds are extremely rare in comparison to colorless diamonds and enhanced blue diamonds. Some blue diamonds with very high color intensity are also considered more valuable than others.
2. How do enhanced blue diamonds get their color?
Enhanced blue diamonds get their color from color enhancement treatments. On the other hand, untreated naturally occurring blue diamonds get their hue from the element boron present in their structure.
3. Are enhanced blue diamonds expensive?
Well, enhanced blue diamonds are typically not as expensive as their colorless counterparts. However, naturally occurring blue diamonds are more expensive owing to their rarity. Other factors that impact the price of a blue diamond are its quality and carat weight.
4. What is the significance of enhanced blue diamonds?
Blue diamonds, whether enhanced or untreated, symbolize faith, trust and wisdom. They are also often closely associated with tranquility and stability.
