3 Things To Know About Colored Diamonds

The diamond has been associated with romance and devotion for many years. Most brides-to-be sport diamond engagement rings to let everyone know they are officially off the dating market.

Today's brides are more adventurous than brides of the past. Many still want a diamond, but they aren't afraid to venture outside the realm of the white stone that is so familiar within the engagement ring market.

Colored diamonds can be a great way to express your personal sense of style while still embracing the tradition of a diamond engagement ring. Here are three things that you need to know about colored diamonds before you choose to incorporate these stones into your engagement ring design.

1. Diamonds Come in Many Colors

The first thing you need to know about colored diamonds is that the options are endless. You will find diamonds in colors ranging from pure crystal to jet black. Although the color of each diamond may differ, the chemical composition is essentially the same.

Some of the most popular diamond colors that you will find in modern engagement rings include pink, yellow, black, and champagne. The salt and pepper diamond, which is a stone with a silky gray speckled look, is also becoming more popular.

No matter what color you love most, you can probably find a diamond in that hue to feature in your engagement ring.

2. Trace Elements Create Colored Diamonds

All diamonds (even colored ones) are created when carbon atoms arrange themselves in a rigid tetrahedron pattern. The only difference between a colorless diamond and a colored stone is the inclusion of trace elements within the carbon atom chains.

The type of trace element present will determine what color the diamond becomes. The only exception to this rule is the pink diamond, whose color comes from the process of plastic deformation.

It's important to know that the chemical composition of colored and colorless diamonds is virtually identical. A colored diamond engagement ring can be worn every day without worrying about damaging the stone.

3.  Cost Varies for Colored Diamonds

When it comes to the cost of a colored diamond, many factors come into play.

The traditional factors of cut, carat, and clarity do matter, but the overall tone of the colored diamond plays the biggest role in determining price.

Some colors, like pink and yellow, are more desirable than others (like green or blue). The more desirable the stone, the more you should expect to pay for your engagement ring.