Blue diamonds are considered very valuable and rare, particularly if they are naturally blue. Not only are they highly sought after for their unique properties, but they are also popular for their elegant appearance in pieces of jewelry. Blue diamond jewelry, especially blue diamond engagement rings and fancy blue earrings, are considered extremely valuable. Consequently, blue diamonds are often more expensive, though the exact price will vary based on each diamond’s qualities and natural properties.
If you’re thinking about purchasing a piece of blue diamond jewelry, you probably have a few questions that need to be answered first. For example, are blue diamonds real? How rare are blue diamonds compared to other types of diamonds? What shades of blue are available? What’s the difference between blue diamonds and sapphires? Are there any famous blue diamonds in the world? Finally, where can you find high-quality blue diamond jewelry?
In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let’s look at how jewelers and gemologists define blue diamonds.
What Is A Blue Diamond?
There are different ways to classify blue diamonds. First, when determining the value of a blue diamond, you must know if it is a blue diamond that is naturally occurring or produced in a lab. While synthetic diamonds are just as real as naturally-occurring diamonds, there are blue diamonds that are simply colorless diamonds with blue coloration added to them. Alternatively, blue diamonds can also be created in a lab using methods that mimic the same processes that produce blue diamonds in the natural world.
In any case, natural blue diamonds are the same as any other kind of naturally-occurring diamond, except that they contain a blue coloration when they are found. This is most often a result of extra traces of boron in the crystalline structure of the diamond. Blue diamonds are part of a group of diamonds known as “fancy color diamonds.” Rather than having the default colorless appearance of “pure” diamonds, fancy color diamonds can have various chemical impurities or defects that cause them to have unique colors like red, green, yellow, and blue (among others).
Are Blue Diamonds Real?
Blue diamonds can be real, but this does not mean that every blue stone on the market is a blue diamond. There are plenty of ways to imitate a blue diamond. For instance, moissanite is a stone that closely resembles a diamond and can be treated to have a blue color. Consequently, it is important to only buy blue diamonds from reputable jewelers. Nevertheless, blue diamonds, both natural and lab-grown, are real diamonds.
Are Blue Diamonds Rare?
The rarity of a blue diamond depends on the way in which it was produced. If a blue diamond formed naturally in the ground, it is considered quite rare, though not as rare as some other colors like red and green diamonds. The rarity is increased by the fact that natural blue diamonds can only be found in certain regions of the world. Alternatively, if a blue diamond is created in a lab, it is not as rare, even though it is still a real blue diamond. This is because synthetic blue diamonds can be produced much faster and in greater quantities than natural diamonds.
It is also important to note that some of the most famous and valuable gems in the world are blue diamonds. For example, the Hope Diamond is considered a blue diamond due to trace amounts of boron in its structure. The 45-carat diamond was originally mined in India and is estimated to be worth $250 million. Similarly, the famous Wittelsbach-Graff diamond was mined in India, and at 31 carats, it is worth roughly $80 million. When the De Beers Millennium Star diamond was first found in Central Africa, it was a whopping 777 carats. It has since been cut down into a heart shape that weighs around 200 carats and is worth about $145 million.
Where Are Blue Diamonds Found?
As previously stated, blue diamonds cannot be found just anywhere (unless they are created in a lab). In fact, blue diamonds can only be found in a few mines located in South Africa and Australia. However, this doesn’t mean that blue diamonds won’t be found in different locations sometime in the future.
Since diamonds can take hundreds of millions or even billions of years to form, there is always a chance that new blue diamond mines will appear. For example, blue diamonds used to be mined in India. But since all of the known blue diamonds have already been mined in that region of the world, diamond mining companies have since looked elsewhere to find blue diamonds.
In What Shades Of Blue Do Natural Blue Diamonds Come In?
Most blue diamonds do not have a strong blue color like you might find in gems that have been artificially treated to appear blue. The amount of boron present in a natural blue diamond can affect the shade of blue visible in the diamond. Additionally, the presence of increased levels of hydrogen or nitrogen can also play an important role in the shade of a blue diamond.
When categorizing the appearance of blue diamonds, there are four shades of blue that gemologists recognize: straight blue, greenish blue, violet blue, and greyish blue. Naturally, many diamonds do not fit neatly into one category. For example, the Hope Diamond is considered a fancy dark greyish-blue diamond with hints of red. This means that there are many different shades of natural blue diamonds to choose from based on your budget, personal tastes, and the availability of certain hues.
Blue Diamonds Vs Sapphires
It is not uncommon for blue diamonds to get mistaken for sapphires and vice versa. Sapphires are one of the most popular gems that also have a very strong blue color. However, blue diamonds and sapphires do not share many characteristics. For instance, the two stones are compositionally different. Blue diamonds are made up of carbon (plus a little boron), while sapphires are made up of aluminum oxides (plus a little titanium).
Sapphires are also mined all over the world. Alternatively, blue diamonds are only found in a few locations. This also brings up the differences in scarcity and price. Sapphires are far more common than natural blue diamonds, which means that they are also more affordable. That said, the price will ultimately come down to the size and quality of the gem.
Blue Diamond Engagement Rings
Blue diamond engagement rings are especially popular, as they break away from the standard colorless diamond engagement rings. Additionally, for people who want a rare and valuable ring that has many of the same visual qualities as a sapphire, there is no better choice than a blue diamond ring. Just remember that, if you’re in the market for a blue diamond, only buy one from a reputable provider like Liori Diamonds. All of our blue diamonds are certified and matched with elegant pieces to provide you with the best ring for you and your loved ones.
We hope you found this guide on blue diamonds both useful and informative! Are you in the market for blue diamond jewelry? Do you want beautiful, certified blue diamond rings at competitive prices? If so, be sure to check out the luxurious products available at Liori Diamonds today!
