Types Of Diamonds

Diamonds are the glimmering gemstones that adorn most jewellery. Even the smallest types of diamonds are incredibly precious. From diamond rings to nose pins, they are extremely valuable. Aside from the shine of diamond jewellery, its historical significance is obvious. Despite the common appearance of diamonds, they are not all the same. The chemical and physical characteristics of these gems have led gemologists to separate them into various categories. A gemologist analyses a stone’s chemical composition to determine its classification. This allows them to distinguish their natural or artificial origin, their growth pattern, and their colour.

How are diamonds classified?

Many people consider cut, clarity, carat, and colour when purchasing a diamond necklace, ring, or bangle— known collectively as the 4Cs. In addition to knowing the different types of diamonds, buyers take this aspect into consideration as well. Basically, diamonds are compounds of carbon. Their primary component is carbon, but perhaps there are other trace elements, including boron and nitrogen. This occurs naturally in their formulation. Other stones may be deliberately enhanced with these trace elements. These procedures are generally performed in a laboratory as part of chemical processing.

Diamonds contain a variety of other substances besides trace elements. Their carbon structures are often spotted with flaws. Defects in optical materials that are caused by trace elements called optical defects. This also means that they are lattice defects. The properties can show a change due to lattice defects, whether present or not. Gemstones are also influenced by the amount of these minerals in them. Diamonds are divided into two categories based on these aspects, consumers and technical classification.

Consumer Classification of Diamonds

The majority of consumers do not dwell on the technicalities of gemstones when buying jewellery. The consumer classifies diamonds according to their appearance into four groups such as the following

Natural diamonds

Somewhere in the mines lies a white, sparkling rock. It’s a diamond. Natural Diamonds are crystal-clear carbon dug from deep within the earth from rocks called “kimberlites”. They are white or colourless and are naturally occurring. Natural diamonds formulate over the course of one to three billion years, in an environment of very high pressure and high temperature, at least 85 miles below the earth’s mantle. By melting the rock, an underground diamond is extracted and further mined to make jewellery or other products.

Enhanced diamonds

These types of diamonds contain artificial enhancements. Different types of treatments are applied to their attributes to enhance their appearance. For instance, inclusion fillings are applicable here. The inclusions of the stone store a special material in this treatment. The colour of the stone can also show signs of change and enhancement. The treatment process is usually carried out on diamonds that cannot be sold in their natural form.

Man-made diamonds

They are called synthetic diamonds as well as lab-grown diamonds. In a lab or man-made diamond, very high pressure and temperature are applied. Diamond seeds are first subjected to extreme conditions in a lab. Within a few weeks, the seeds turn into rough diamonds. It is further polished and cut. These types of diamonds are becoming increasingly popular due to their technical nature and are becoming cheaper to produce. In the coming years, they will become even more affordable.

Naturally colored diamonds

The colour of naturally coloured diamonds is caused by minerals in the earth, such as nitrogen and carbon. These types of diamonds are extremely rare. They are found in various colours, including purple, blue, red, green, and black. However, pink and canary yellow appear to be the most common colours. There is only one naturally coloured diamond out of 10,000, which makes them more valuable and expensive gemstones.

Technical Classification of Diamonds

The technical information of classification is important for a buyer. This is because traces of trace elements can greatly affect stone prices, even in a small quantity. Furthermore, their presence causes impurities within the stone.

Many trace elements and nitrogen atoms in diamonds replace carbon in the carbon lattice structure. Substituted carbon often clusters together inside the carbon lattice. Invisible chemical impurities are a result of this classification. They can nevertheless significantly alter the appearance of the gemstone. The following are the types of diamonds according to their technical characteristics.

Type Ia

In this type of diamond, nitrogen clusters are found in large numbers. This causes the stones to have a yellow colour. Nitrogen atom aggregates absorb visible light of blue wavelength, especially those in groups of three. The reflection thus appears yellow.

Type lIa

These are rare and do not contain nitrogen impurities. Their formation takes place under a great deal of pressure. They are unevenly shaped. Because it’s pure, it maintains its lustrous appearance and reflects light. Diamonds of this type are almost universally popular. A famous example is the Kohinoor.

Type Ib

Compared to other types of diamond, these are less common. Diamonds with type Ib structure have nitrogen atoms dispersed through the lattice structure, rather than clustered. As a result, they absorb visible light in the blue spectrum. Because of this, diamonds of this type are typically yellow, brown, or orange.

Type IIb

There are no nitrogen atoms in these types of diamonds. Their trace element instead is boron. These diamonds conduct electricity because of boron. In addition, boron absorbs red spectrum wavelengths of visible light, giving them an appearance of blue or even bluish-grey. It is also rare to find these diamonds, so they are extremely valuable.

There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to natural, lab-grown, or simulated diamonds. Understanding the different types of diamonds gives you the ability to make a more informed decision. You can invest wisely in gemstones if you understand both their physical and chemical properties.

What are 10 different types of diamonds?

Types of Diamonds White Diamonds. Champagne Diamonds. Pink Champagne Diamonds. Yellow Diamonds. Blue Diamonds. Green Diamonds. Purple Diamonds. Synthetic Diamonds.

What are the main types of diamonds?

In the eyes of the consumer, there are four main diamond types:

Natural Diamonds. Regular white colorless diamonds.

Lab Grown Diamonds. Lab grown diamonds also known as man-made diamonds are somewhat of a growinng trend that is developing more and more last few years.
Treated Diamonds.
Natural Fancy Color Diamonds.

Which type of diamond is best?

Flawless is the top grade in the GIA Clarity Grading System. Diamonds graded Flawless don’t have visible inclusions or blemishes when examined under 10-power (10X) magnification by a skilled and experienced grader. As clarity increases, and if all other value factors are equal, diamond price per carat also increases.

What are fake diamonds called?

A synthetic diamond is also known as a lab-grown diamond. Other names include a cultured diamond or a cultivated diamond. They are produced artificially, unlike natural diamonds formed in the Earth. Please note that our tests will not identify lab-created diamonds.

What is the cheapest diamond?

What are the least expensive/most affordable diamond Cuts? Carat-per-carat, emerald and Asscher cuts are the least expensive. Because they are step-cut, there is less waste when these diamonds are cut off of the rough stone, which is going to cost the same no matter how it gets cut.

Is VVS diamond the best?

VVS Diamond Clarity The VVS grade is divided into two levels: VVS1 and VVS2, with VVS1 being the higher grade. VVS diamonds have such slight imperfections. Even with a jeweler’s loupe, trained professionals are unable to see the blemishes easily. This means that VVS diamonds are always eye-clean.

Is a white diamond a real diamond?

Natural white diamonds are true white diamonds, the color is considered to milky, snowy or opalescent. These diamonds are often confused with colorless diamonds commonly referred to as white diamonds. But the major difference with colorless vs white diamonds is the actual white color.

What is the rarest diamond?

red diamond Quick answer: The rarest diamond color is the red diamond. They are so rare that less than 30 true red diamonds are known to exist. They can cost $1 million per carat and most of the red diamonds in existence are less than ½ a carat in size.

What are the 5 types of diamonds?

Diamonds are separated into five types: Type Ia, Type Ib, Type 1aB, Type IIa, and Type IIb. The impurities measured are at the atomic level within the crystal lattice of carbon atoms and so, unlike inclusions, require an infrared spectrometer to detect.

Is Emerald a diamond?

While an emerald is a gemstone, an emerald-cut diamond is actually a diamond but cut in the shape known as emerald, which is kind of rectangular in shape.

Is Sapphire a diamond?

There are four types of precious stones: diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds. Each type has its own specific chemical and physical properties. Diamonds are made from carbon, rubies and sapphires from alumina and emeralds from beryllium. Scientifically speaking, rubies and sapphires are the same mineral (corundum).

What does VVS mean in diamonds?

Very Very Slightly included July 12, 2018. A VVS diamond (Very Very Slightly included) and a VS diamond (Very Slightly included) differ in clarity and, if all else is equal, they can differ significantly in price. Knowing these differences can help you make a smart engagement ring purchase.

What color of diamond is best?

D According to that GIA standard, the “best” diamond color is D. (Read more about D color diamonds here.) D color diamonds are the equivalent of IF or FL grade diamonds on the clarity scale — they’re very rare, and their price definitely reflects that.

What carat diamond is best?

The most popular carat weights for engagement diamonds are between one and two carats. If a diamond under . 75 carats is a budget necessity, consider a marquise cut, which appears larger than other shapes of equal carat weight, due to its elongated cut.