The rarest fancy diamonds - green diamond

Dear friends, we welcome you! Diamond is a symbol of invincibility, known as a faithful companion of men - kings and generals. In the East they believed that a green diamond rejuvenates and helps a woman become a mother. Therefore, they were rightfully considered women's stones. In the 15th century, Parisian Agnes Sorel, lover of Charles VII, introduced the fashion for diamonds among ladies in Europe.

Description of green diamond

Natural green diamonds are a rare find. Not every jeweler, even one working in an international gemological laboratory, will see, much less hold, such a stone in his or her lifetime. They rank second in rarity after red diamonds.

In terms of physical and chemical characteristics, green diamonds are not much different from classic colorless diamonds. The main element in their composition is pure carbon. They have a cubic crystal lattice where the atoms are arranged very tightly. This gives such minerals increased hardness.

Green diamonds have the following properties:

• Unsurpassed hardness – 10/10 on the Mohs scale.
• The shine is diamond.
• Color – from a barely noticeable “greenish” to thick, saturated.
• Density – 3.55 g/cm3 (at equal volumes, 3.5 times heavier than water).
• Cleavage is perfect.
• Gives a conchoidal splinter fracture.
• Transparency – translucent, sometimes due to the thickness of the shade it becomes translucent.
• Fragile. Shatters when dropped or hit.

How to wear and care

Luxury stones deserve proper care and handling.

Green diamond ring

How to wear

Jewelry with precious stones of the first row is worn for evening status events, under a wardrobe of the same level. The green color scheme is pleasantly complemented by white or pink diamonds.

Diamond is fragile and can break if dropped.

When putting on jewelry, especially earrings, it is advisable not to touch the stone: your fingers will leave traces of grease and the gem will fade.

How to care

Although stones are rarely displayed, they do become dirty and require maintenance.

Every year, jewelry is taken to a jeweler for inspection. He will assess the condition of the frame and the gem, check the reliability of the fastenings, and carry out ultrasonic cleaning. Amateur activities such as using napkins and products for cleaning jewelry stones are excluded.

Gold ring with green diamonds

For each piece of jewelry, a safe box of the appropriate level of performance is allocated.

Causes of green color

Scientists continue to puzzle over how diamonds of different shades of green were formed in nature. The following factors are believed to have contributed to this:

• The influence of natural radiation. Green nuggets are often found in places where background radiation is high (near uranium deposits). The formation of such stones takes millions of years.
• The action of high temperatures and pressure, which led to a change in the crystal lattice of the mineral.
• Chromium inclusions entering the crystal. This happened at the stage of gem formation.

In order for a transparent diamond to acquire the shade of fresh grass, the following conditions are necessary:

• A certain amount of nitrogen in the composition. This component is found in all diamonds, but its content is not the same in samples of different colors. Green diamonds, in terms of the presence of this substance, occupy an intermediate position between yellow and black diamonds.
• Irradiation with thorium (uranium). If a stone is exposed to alpha particles, it acquires a superficial greenish tint, which disappears during the cutting process. Deep exposure to beta or gamma rays ensures lasting, uniform pigmentation and turns the mineral into an elite green diamond.

What colors do diamonds have?

All diamonds can be divided into two large categories - colorless and colored. Diamonds, the raw material for diamonds, were created by nature millions of years ago. This is a product of crystallization of carbon molecules under high pressure and exposure to enormous temperature. During the process of crystallization, the stone could, figuratively speaking, “catch” various impurities and become colored. Colored diamonds are found in nature much less frequently than colorless diamonds. Only 0.01% of diamonds in nature are “fancy”, that is, colored.

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The undisputed leader in uniqueness, rarity and price among colored diamonds is red. The auction price for such a diamond starts at $1 million per carat. The largest diamond, a rare red color, weighs just over five carats. The presence of red color in a diamond is due to deformations in its crystal lattice caused by high pressure during the natural formation of a diamond. Next is the green fancy diamond. A diamond receives this color as a result of natural radioactive radiation that has penetrated deep into the diamond. The blue color in a diamond is indicated by the presence of the chemical element boron. What makes a diamond orange and yellow is when it enters the crystal lattice of the chemical element nitrogen.

Artificial creation of color samples

High-quality green diamonds are so rare that they are known by comparison. Only one such stone is found per year and after cutting (which takes 6-8 months, or even 12) it is put up at auctions. For several centuries, these diamonds remained the privilege of a select few. Other people could admire the green “multi-carat” cars only in photos of celebrities and multi-billionaires.

Everything changed at the end of the last century, when the demand for fancy diamonds increased sharply. Scientists have developed technologies that make it possible to give colorless diamonds an arbitrary shade. Artificially “colored” minerals are 10 times cheaper than natural green diamonds that have not undergone additional color treatment.

To give diamonds a “grass” color, the following techniques are used:

• Irradiation (irradiation) is a cheap and safe method. The author of this technology is William Crookes, an English chemist and physicist. In 1904, he managed to color a diamond green in laboratory conditions by exposing it to radiation. However, this experiment cannot be called successful, because the mineral became a source of dangerous radiation. Currently, colorless diamonds are exposed to gamma rays, which are sent by a radioactive isotope of cobalt. As a result, the minerals acquire a uniform bluish-green hue. The disadvantage of the method is that the treated stone has to be kept in the laboratory for several months until its radioactive background decreases.
• Cyclotronation is an outdated technology. Diamonds are placed in sealed chambers (cyclotrons) and bombarded with deuterons and protons. This method has two significant drawbacks: the treatment produces zonal staining (some areas of the stone remain colorless). Plus, after “repainting” the diamond remains “phonic” for a long time.
• Exposure to neutrons and electrons is the most productive method. It provides uniform, permanent coloring to a depth of 1 mm. After “greening” the stone gives off intense white fluorescence.

All green diamonds, which are inlaid with jewelry from the assortment of ordinary jewelry stores, have undergone color modification.

Without special equipment, it is impossible to detect traces of processing. This can only be done by experts from a gemological laboratory.

If the color of the diamond does not match its natural color and has been changed by external influences, then the certificate accompanying the stone will be marked “treated.” In the expert opinion, a natural green diamond is designated by the word “natural”. Such samples are purchased to order for a specific buyer or sold at auctions at Sotheby's and Christie's.

Famous yellow diamonds

Jewelry with yellow diamonds is traditionally highly valued. Fancy stones are rare, expensive, and available only to a select few. The yellow stone symbolizes nobility and uniqueness.

Diamond Tiffany

The year 1877 gave the world a diamond of 287.42 carats. It was discovered in the South African Kimberley mine and sold to Tiffany. The deal for 18 million was made in 1878 with Charles Tiffany, who owned the company at that time. For the next year, the stone was examined by staff gemologist Kunz, and then went for cutting. During processing, the weight decreased to 128.54 carats. The diamond was given 90 facets. The final crystal length is 28.25 mm, width 27 mm, thickness 22.2 mm. In 1893, it was presented at the Chicago International Exhibition as the highlight of the program, and in 1901, the diamond won first place at the exhibition in Buffalo.

In 1896, Chinese Viceroy Li Hongzhang, while visiting New York, wanted to see the jewel with his own eyes. Tiffany agreed, and the event gave the mineral even more status.

In the entire history of its existence, only three girls wore the fantasy diamond:

• Sheldon Whitehouse at the 1957 Tiffany Ball;
• Audrey Hepburn in a 1961 ad for Breakfast at Tiffany's;
• Lady Gaga at the 2019 Oscars.

Bird on a rock

The luxurious brooch “Bird on the Stone” was created by jeweler Schlumberger in 1960 from a Tiffany diamond. The brooch depicts a gold and platinum bird, decorated with clear and yellow diamonds. The figurine stands on a priceless yellow diamond.

Bird on a stone

In 1972, Tiffany announced that they would sell the jewelry to anyone who wanted it for $5 million if he responded to the offer within 24 hours, but there were no bidders. In 2006, “Bird on a Stone” participated in the Washington National Gemstone Collection, and six years later the diamond was freed from the pommel and included in a necklace with white diamonds. The jewelry is now stored in the Tiffany store on 5th Avenue.

Golden Jubilee

Small stones can be used to decorate a ring or pendant, but some diamonds are so large and luxurious that they are only suitable for storage in a collection. This is the “Golden Jubilee”, weighing 545 carats. Before cutting, the stone weighed 755 carats. It took 2 years to process it. The mineral was discovered in 1986 in southern Africa, and only in 1990 was the finished jewel presented to the public. The diamond was purchased by Thai entrepreneurs as a gift to King Bhumibol Adulyadej. In 2000, Adulyadej’s daughter accepted the gift. The diamond is now in the Royal Museum in the capital and is available for inspection.

Golden Jubilee

Golden Giant

The second name of the crystal is Incomparable. This is the 3rd largest human-cut diamond in the history of jewelry. Initially it weighed 890 carats; after cutting, 15 crystals were obtained, of which the largest was 407.08 carats.

Incomparable was discovered in the Congo in abandoned mines in Mbuji-Maiv in the early 80s of the last century. He was found by a girl walking in the area. The diamond was sold to African dealers, then to European ones, and from them to American ones. It took 3 years to cut; the shape of a triangular kite was chosen. In 1988, the diamond was put up for auction, but could not be sold at the original price. The final amount of the transaction was 12 million. In 2002, the diamond was put up on Ebay for 15 million and sold for 16.5 million to a sheikh from Saudi Arabia. Since 2009, the diamond has been on permanent display at the Royal Canadian Museum.

Alnutt

Alnutt is named after the first owner, Major Alfred Alnutt. He bought the diamond in the early 50s and ordered a brooch from Cartier, the center of which was to be the jewel. Cartier made a platinum flower with 5 petals, 2 leaves, a stem, inserting a fantasy crystal into the center, and decorating the leaves and petals with small transparent stones.

In 1996, Alnutt was sold at a Geneva auction for $3 million. In the late 90s, the stone was recut, making the color more intense, but reducing the weight. In 2003 and 2005, Alnutt participated in exhibitions at the Smithsonian Institution.

Alnutt

Drop of Sun

The Sun Drop is the largest fancy yellow diamond, decorated with a pear. It weighs 110.3 carats and was sold in 2011 at Sotheby's for 10.9 million to an anonymous buyer. The stone was discovered in a South African mine in 2010. Laboratory testing has proven that it appeared 1-3 billion years ago. Cutting took 6 months. The finished stone has 56 facets, its height is 3.94 cm, width 2.83 cm. Certification showed that it belongs to the VVS1 color group. Before the auction, the jewel was exhibited for 6 months at the London Museum in the Pyramid of Hope, which consisted of 296 diamonds.

De Sancy

De Sancy is a pale yellow teardrop-shaped diamond weighing 55.23 carats. Believed to have been discovered in eastern India in 1064, it originally weighed 101.25 carats and was given in exchange for a pair of elephants, 12 camels and 80 gold coins. The stone passed from ruler to ruler, then was lost and reappeared in history in 1325, when Muhammad of Tughlaq acquired it from a foreign merchant. Then the diamond disappeared from history again and in 1473 it appeared in the possession of Charles the Bold. Two years later, its processing was entrusted to Van Berken. After cutting, the diamond was reduced by 48 carats and received 32 facets. By the 1570s, Nicolas de Sancy bought the jewel from a Turkish jeweler. Since Sancy had a brilliant career, he glorified not only himself, but also the jewel. He sold it to James the First, then Mazarin bought the stone and gave it to the Bourbon dynasty. After the French Revolution, the diamond disappeared from history until 1828 - this year it was bought by Pavel Demidov. The new owner then sold the diamond to Indian Jamsetji, who the following year sold it to an unknown buyer, from whom the jewel passed to an anonymous buyer. In 1867, De Sancy appeared at the Paris World Exhibition, and in 1906 - in the Astor collection. In 1978, the diamond was sold to the Louvre, where it is now located.

De Sancy

Diamond Graf Vivid Yellow

Graff Vivid Yellow – 100 carat fancy bright diamond sold for 16.3 million at Sotheby's. The diamond was not bought the first time: after the sale was announced, the lot was suddenly withdrawn, and 15 minutes later it was returned to auction.

It is known that at first a certain woman wanted to buy the stone for a high price, but after agreeing she refused to purchase it. It was assumed that the diamond would go for 15-25 million; the final transaction price was only slightly higher than the lower predicted threshold.

Bandeau tiara

In the book “The Coronation or the Last of the Romanovs,” Boris Akunin mentions several luxurious jewelry that existed in reality. One of them is a bandeau tiara with solar diamonds and opals, depicting a garland of flowers. In reality, the tiara is encrusted only with diamonds and decorated with enamel. It was created in the 1750s from clear diamonds attached to a colored foil base. This technique allows you to color colorless stones.

Color intensity

Saturation and shades of color are one of the main criteria for assessing the quality of green diamonds. The brighter the stone, the higher its jewelry value and cost. According to the accepted classification, there are 27 shades of color and 9 gradations of intensity of fancy diamonds:

• pale colored, slight degree – Faint;
• very weak – Very Light;
• weak fantasy – Fancy Light;
• fantasy - Fancy;
• dark fantasy – Fancy Dark;
• intense – Fancy intense;
• intense fantasy – Fancy Deep;
• bright fantasy – Fancy vivid.

Diamonds with a deep, pure green color are valued the most. Such specimens are extremely rare. Among jewelers they are usually called “ultimate gems”. The price of diamond rarities starts from a million dollars. Somewhat more often you come across samples in which shades are mixed with the main color. This reduces the cost of the stone.

If a mineral fluoresces when exposed to ultraviolet light, its price is reduced by 30%.

The color palette of green diamonds includes the following shades:

• greenish;
• olive;
• green with a yellowish tint;
• grayish green;
• grayish yellow;
• bluish green;
• chameleon is a stone with an alexandrite effect (in the light it shimmers in shades from gray-blue to olive and yellow-green).

The standard for fancy diamonds of the “color of hope” is the Dresden Green Diamond. After cutting, the diamond weighed 41 carats. In the nugget its mass was twice as high. This is a bright, luxurious diamond with a natural apple green color. The crystal is expertly pear-cut and set into a ring.

The stone, named after the city of Dresden, has an interesting biography. It was discovered in the 18th century. in India. British merchant Marcus Moses brought a rare diamond to Europe. The mineral won the heart of King George I, but the Dutch merchant Dels bought a valuable sample.

Then the Saxon Duke Frederick Augustus II became the owner of the green “miracle”, and he spent the money that was intended to buy guns on its acquisition. Since then, the 40.70-carat diamond has settled in Germany. He left Dresden only once. After the Great Patriotic War, the stone was brought to the USSR, and in 1958 it was returned to Dresden.

The second “exemplary” green diamond is named Great Gruosi. The stone weighing 25 ct is named after the jeweler, “the king of black diamonds” – Fawaz Gruosi. This is a flawlessly clear crystal of a gorgeous bright green color.

Other sensations in the world of green diamonds:

• Lal Oyla (Lal Oyla) is a bright green diamond of 70 ct, located in the collection of Harry Winston.
• Yakut green is a dark green diamond, 61.18 ct before cutting, after processing it “thinned” to 18.01 ct.
• Green Diamond De Grisogono - the weight of the nugget was 100 ct, after cutting - 25.06 ct, inserted into a ring made of white gold and black diamonds. Price: $7.5 million.
• Green Diamond Ring – the stone weighs 2.52 ct, adorns a gold ring with a discreet design, was purchased for $3 million.
• Aurora Green is a rich green mineral weighing 5.03 ct, sold at Christie's for $16.8 million.

Place of Birth

Precious yellow diamonds are found in some African deposits and in Australia. Occasionally they are found in Russian deposits. Stones with a rich hue are rare, so finding a gem is exceptionally lucky.

Most of it is mined in Africa. The main producers are mines in Angola, Congo, Central African Republic and Sierra Leone. Later, yellow crystals began to be found in Brazilian, Australian outcrops and on the island of Borneo.

For several decades, the leading supplier was the Ellendale mines in Australia - they provided half of the jewelry crystals. Now Yakutia, Canada, has reached the top in terms of production.

Yellow crystal

Application

Diamonds of all shades of green are considered valuable. Such rare gems are not used in the industrial sector. The areas of their use are limited to three areas:

• Collecting. Natural green diamonds and polished diamonds end up in private collections or become museum exhibits. Collectible items include “solitaires” over 1 ct, with a bright fancy color and purity close to perfect. Stones with an unusual “biography” are also of interest to collectors of precious minerals.
• Jewelry making. If a diamond is found that naturally has a green tint and high clarity, it is used to make luxury jewelry. The cut of such samples is carefully selected. The processing of the mineral is carried out by top-class specialists. This is painstaking and time-consuming work. After cutting, the weight of the stone can decrease by 2-3 times.
• Method of investing funds. Green diamonds are in second place in popularity and cost (among fancy diamonds) after red ones. The price of stones starts from $250 thousand. per carat, there is a tendency for the cost of these diamonds to increase. Even if the mineral has shades, it is a very profitable investment.

A carat of green-colored diamond costs much less – up to $25 thousand.

The price of products with modified crystal is also high, but this cannot be considered as a long-term investment. You will never sell them at auction for five zeros.

How to spot a fake

There is no problem for owners to identify top-class stones. They are purchased by order or at auctions at Christie's or Sotheby's.

The origin of each specimen is confirmed by a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) quality certificate. It contains information about the place of extraction, natural color and others.

Ennobled copies are also provided with certificates. It is impossible to identify them at home, only with special equipment.

Medicinal properties

Among all natural minerals, diamonds are considered the most powerful healers. They have a beneficial effect on the immune system, calm the nerves, relieve insomnia, and reduce the likelihood of infectious infection.

But green diamonds also have a number of specific medicinal properties:

• prevent sclerosis;
• reduce the risk of apoplexy;
• serve for the prevention of urolithiasis;
• get out of depression;
• treat migraine;
• accelerate wound healing;
• increase visual acuity, protect against the development of eye diseases;
• slow down aging;
• help a woman bear and give birth to a healthy baby.

Unlike clear and black diamonds, green diamonds are healthier for women than for men. They have long been considered “maternal”. Girls of any age can wear jewelry with such stones. This will have a positive effect on the reproductive sphere and will help preserve youth and beauty for a long time.

Pink Diamond Princie

$39.3 million

In addition to the undeniable beauty of this soft pink diamond weighing 34.65 carats, the news associated with it is not only the successful sale at a fantastically high price. 2 years after the sale, which took place in 2013, the Christie's auction house was sued by the alleged real owners of the stone, demanding the return of the gem and compensation for moral damages. Details of the story can be found in the article.

Magic properties

Natural green diamond is a working amulet. Such stones are several thousand years old, so they are charged with cosmic energy and are capable of changing a person’s destiny.

It is advisable to carry a stone of a life-affirming color (unframed or in decoration) with you at all times. It will become a reliable shield against curses, the evil eye, energy attacks and will give longevity.

Since ancient times, sorcerers and sorcerers have resorted to the help of emerald-colored diamonds for the ritual of removing damage. Modern practicing psychics use such minerals to cleanse the aura and “recharge” with positive energy.

Green diamonds are not suitable for magical rituals aimed at harming humans. If you speak such a mineral about death or illness, the stone will reverse the spell. Misfortune will befall the sorcerer himself.

Special magical properties of green diamonds:

• The lightning is retracted. If there is such a crystal in the house, the inhabitants should not be afraid of thunderstorms.
• They indicate the place where the ancient treasure is hidden. To find the treasure, take the loose diamond in your right hand and walk in the direction where the jewels are supposed to be buried. If the stone flashes a bright green light, start digging.
• Improves academic success. Recommended for students, graduate students and those engaged in intellectual work.

The magic of green crystals

Since ancient times, diamonds have been considered the stones of real men. For many centuries, they became available to women after 40 years. The green diamond was an exception to the rule. It is considered a talisman for the weaker half, capable of helping a woman complete the task assigned to her by nature. The stone is a symbol of motherhood.

The magical properties are very strong:

• protection of fetal development;
• facilitating the period of labor for the mother;
• influence on the owner’s intelligence;
• students mascot;
• reduction of anxiety.

The owners of green diamonds are positive. They feel the harmony of their inner world. Diamond protects from envious people and the evil eye. One of the properties proven over the centuries is the ability to divert lightning, which frightened people of ancient times, and remains one of the most mysterious natural phenomena in the modern world. Crystals have many healing abilities.

He treats the following pathologies:

• sclerosis;
• apoplexy;
• migraine.

Jewelry and amulets keep the kidneys healthy.

Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?

Diamonds the color of fresh leaves are charged with positive energy. They can be worn by representatives of all zodiac signs, but for some people they will be more useful, and for others they will be neutral.

For Fire signs, diamonds will become amulets that will protect them from trouble, show them a way out of a deadlock, and help them avoid deception. Green-colored gems also protect earth signs.

The influence of green diamond on different zodiac signs:

• Lviv - will give the green light to daring undertakings, calm down a violent temper, which will have a positive effect on relationships with colleagues and loved ones.
• Aries - will bring good luck in all areas of life.
• Sagittarius - harmonizes the inner world.
• Capricorn - reveals talents, stimulates creativity.
• Taurus - will teach you to make informed decisions.
• Virgo - will set you up for a philosophical perception of life.
• Libra - will relieve fear of responsibility.
• Gemini - protects from bad influence.
• Cancer - will give optimism, cure the blues.
• Aquarius - will give a boost of energy and increase performance.
• Scorpios - will help you find a middle ground in relationships with others, relieve internal tension.
• Pisces - will expand your circle of friends.

Compatibility with other stones

Diamonds of green shades are single. They “get along” normally only with their closest “relatives” – transparent diamonds. These are fire stones and cannot be combined with Water and Earth minerals. It is not recommended to wear colored diamonds at the same time as amber, jade, turquoise, jet, jasper, and aventurine. Diamond will “quarrel” with emerald, pearl, alexandrite, topaz.

Apple-colored diamonds are set only in precious metals - white, rose or yellow gold and platinum.

Stone jewelry

Green diamonds are framed in white gold or platinum. They also look good in combination with yellow metal. Rings and pendants are made from them. Smaller specimens are used to create earrings.

Such jewelry looks expensive and noble. They are not suitable for everyday wear. Gems are combined with evening dresses and worn on special occasions.

Green diamonds are not stored together with other jewelry. A separate box upholstered in velvet is purchased for them.

It is not recommended to clean and polish products yourself. To do this, they are taken to a jeweler once a year.

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What You Should Know When Buying Green Diamonds

Apple green diamond jewelry is expensive. To avoid purchasing a fake, refined or artificially colored mineral for an immodest sum, use the following recommendations:

• Buy jewelry with fancy diamonds in large jewelry stores with a proven reputation.
• When purchasing, read the tag. It indicates the name of the stone, weight, size, clarity, and cut type.
• Each green diamond (including refined and artificially “colored”) is supplied with a certificate stating its origin and the technological modifications to which it has been subjected.

If your financial capabilities allow you to “take a swing” at buying a green diamond of natural origin, look for a suitable stone in one of the world’s diamond “capitals” - Hong Kong, Antwerp, Tel Aviv, Mumbai. Don't expect to find such an exclusive in Russia. No matter what the consultant says, 90% of colored diamonds offered by the domestic jewelry retail chain are modified.

A few more possibilities for forming a yellow diamond

In addition to the above-described formation process in the earth's crust, some yellow samples came to us from outer space.

Before the appearance of the atmosphere on planet Earth and the natural satellite of the Moon, our planet was constantly attacked by space guests, carrying diamonds with them. More unique specimens were formed at the moment a meteorite hit the earth's surface. This sharp pressure drop and impossibly high temperatures allowed such a miracle to appear.

What is most surprising is that these are not fairy tales, since almost all natural and artificial components of our planet are based on carbon and its compounds, which allow you to enjoy their benefits in any quantity.

They are trying to recreate such a “coincidence of circumstances” in experimental laboratories, and scientists succeed. Yes, even if this is not a unique diamond that costs from $1,000,000, quite nice and artificially produced diamonds can be cut into equally beautiful diamond products.

They are then placed in a yellow diamond ring and offered for sale at a lower value. Such a diamond can be purchased not only by the wealthy. The growing popularity of artificial diamonds was influenced not only by the crisis situation in the world, but also by the growing demand for them.