basic facts about red diamonds
Red diamonds are extremely rare. Of all the variety of colours within natural fancy coloured diamonds, red is the rarest and off course the most expensive. The majority of red diamonds come from the Argyle diamond mine in the Kimberley region of North West Australia. But they are also found in other regions in the world such as Brazil, Russia and India.
Unlike other colors that can have a different intensity, red comes as fancy red only with modifying hues, (generally purple). The color in red diamonds originates from a natural phenomena called plastic deformation. This is when the rough diamond’s crystal structure becomes twisted under extreme heat and pressure simultaneously – not unlike compressing a spring. When this happens certain wavelengths within the spectrum are absorbed and consequently the color we perceive is red.
The cutting and polishing of stones whose lattice has suffered plastic deformation is also extremely difficult. As a spring, when compressed, the internal forces within the lattice are trying to revert to their normal positions. These forces create tension within the stone so that while polishing there is a high risk that the stone can actually explode and break into many pieces.
investing in red diamonds
Red diamonds are extremely sought after and world supply is already very limited. As the biggest supplier, the Rio Tinto Argyle mine is set to close in 2020. Most investors assume that prices will spike considerably higher when the mine closes. Red diamonds are sought after by both collectors and investors. As prices continue rising higher every year, it is a good decision to invest in natural fancycoloured red diamonds.
All serious collectors of natural fancy coloured diamonds will have at least one fine example of a natural red diamond in their collection.
famous red diamonds
The biggest red diamond ever found is the Moussaieff Red Diamond. When it was found in Brazil, in the Abaetezinho river it weighed 13.9 carats rough, but now, after cutting it weighs 5.11 carats and is cut in triangular brilliant shape. This is really very small if you would compare it with sizes of large white diamonds. Only three 5-carat red diamonds are known to exist: the Kazanjian Red diamond, which is emerald cut 5.05 carats, the trilliant-cut 5.11-carat Moussaieff Red, and the 5.03-carat De Young Red.