A photo posted by Natural Color Diamonds (@ljwestdiamonds) on Dec 7, 2016 at 11:47am PST

The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington DC recently had an exhibit called “The Splendor of Diamonds” which displayed 7 of the most important diamonds in the world today including the one and only Moussaieff Red.

Those diamonds were contributed by several owners but the most recent display will be at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles by NY jewelers L.J. West Diamonds in an exhibit called “Diamonds: Rare Brilliance”.

Diamonds: Rare Brilliance

The ‘Impossibly Rare’ Diamond – 2.83 carat Violet Diamond

The winners of the Impossibly Rare Argyle Violet Diamond in this year’s Argyle tender, L.J. West certainly have a covetable collection to exhibit.

The Argyle Violet is touted as the largest ever violet colored diamond that has ever been discovered at Rio Tinto’s Argyle mine in Kimberley, Western Australia. It was the hero diamond at this year’s Argyle diamond tender, as violet diamonds are one of the rarest colors of fancy color diamonds. Its size makes it a prize indeed and it is no wonder that it is a focal point of the exhibit.

Juliet Pink Diamond

Additional diamonds that will be on display include the Juliet Pink diamond, the Victorian Orchid Vivid Purple Diamond, and the Rainbow necklace. The President of L.J. West Diamonds, Larry West, was quoted as saying that he felt that these diamonds deserved to be on display to help change fancy color diamonds into something more real than just a story.

Indeed, fancy color diamonds make major headlines in the news but since they are so rare in nature, and are found in limited places around the world – comprising just 1% of all mined gem quality diamonds, hardly anyone ever gets to truly enjoy them.

The Argyle Violet is in good company. The Juliet Pink diamond is a treasure in and of itself, as it is a 30.03 carat Fancy Intense Pink oval shaped diamond with VVS2 clarity. The Victorian Orchid Vivid Purple is a 1.64-carat Fancy Vivid Purple diamond with SI2 clarity.

Purple diamonds are almost equally rare to violet diamonds and the two are often found in similar mines, although this is not the case with these two. The Rainbow necklace features more than 100 diamonds weighing approximately 36 carats in a multitude of colors.

So… which of the above is your favorite?

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The ‘Impossibly Rare’ Diamond – 2.83 carat Violet Diamond

The mine, famous for its beautiful red and pink diamonds has unveiled its 2016 savior. Normally we hear about an exciting pink or even more so about a rare red diamond being the star of the yearly tender, only this year, the star changes color; violet.

the media started making noise the second Argyle folks announced the offering. An oval shaped GIA certified 2.83 carat Fancy Deep Grayish Bluish Violet Diamond.

Impossibly Rare Discovery

Argyle announced that the rough was found in mid 2015 and weighed 9.17 carats. After the polishing was finished, the loss of rough was equal to 69%, much higher than typical loss of 40%-60%. there is a possibility that they tried to get a pure color intensity without any secondary or tertiary color involved which would have been the ultimate goal of a collector.

The Argyle Violet Diamond in the Rough

Another interesting fact is the rarity of violet diamonds – the diamond’s main color. While some consider violet diamonds as a “niche” within purple diamonds, they are far rarer. Argyle has only produced 12 carats in total in the last 32 years. it is incredible that in 1 year it produced 23.6% while during the previous 31 years it produced the remaining 76.4%.

An Unknown Value & Spectacular Estimations

Many news media outlets and other various online diamond website had jumped on the bandwagon and made similar announcement as quickly as possible. one of the disturbing announcement was focusing on the potential value. Having produced just 12 carats of such color, would make it possible to assess its value, especially when Argyle itself never discusses the Bids or results of its tender, which is exactly what kept prices on the rise.

While I doubt anyone can look at the above picture and say that The Argyle Violet is not breathtaking… Let’s remember one thing for sure: “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”. Meaning only collectors, who collect based on color rarity and uniqueness can and would appreciate such rarity. It cannot be properly assessed in dollar values. Ultimately the true value is what the wining bidder actually pays for it. It is quite clear in Rio Tinto’s Media release. No financial projections are given. One news media predicts it will get at least $4 million valuation another stated $1 Million per carat. Being one of a kind I won’t be surprised if it reaches these values, though I really wonder how they got to these numbers… (especially considering that it’s clarity wasn’t even disclosed yet).

It sounds quite exciting though, and while it will soon start its worldwide viewing road show, we will have to wait until the end of the year to know what this beauty will actually sell for. I am also wondering who are the other peers in the top few lots that Argyle normally likes to talk about at every tender. Will there be many other similar diamond colors, or even sizes. we shall find out soon enough.

* Images by Rio Tinto. Full news release here

The post The ‘Impossibly Rare’ – Unveiling of Argyle Violet Diamond appeared first on Naturally Colored.

To determine the Color of the Year, Pantone polls retailers and manufacturers as well as fashion, graphic and industrial designers across the globe about their plans for the upcoming seasons. The color committee then chooses a hue that will have a major impact on the trends for the new year. Pantone couldn’t have picked a more dazzling shade – “Radiant Orchid” is a stunning, vibrant soft pinkish purple that is bound to inspire jewelry enthusiasts to add some unusual colored diamonds to their collection.

Pink Purple Diamonds

Meet Radiant Orchid

“Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society. An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”

A major reason that Eiseman is confident people will embrace Radiant Orchid this year is that it is universally flattering and complements nearly any skin tone. So what does the Color of the Year mean for diamond collectors? Those that are hoping to stay on trend this year should definitely look for fancy purple pink diamonds or fancy pink purple diamonds. These stones instantly draw attention, and can be incorporated into custom jewelry to fit any tastes or style preferences. Diamonds in this hue look particularly striking with light yellows, olive and hunter greens – which is something to take into account when pairing these purple stones with other colored diamond jewelry.

About purple diamonds

It’s no surprise that purple diamonds are so sought after by jewelry enthusiasts and collectors. Natural purple diamonds are among the rarest colored stones in the world. It has been suggested that the cause of their color is extra hydrogen that gets trapped inside the stone as its crystal structure is forming. These diamonds can range from pale lavender to a grayish violet to an intense pinkish orchid. The most common secondary hues in purple diamonds are pink or gray, but hints of blue or brown may be found in these stones as well. The color purple is often associated with royalty. In fact, this color was largely regarded as the color of kings. Considering how few of them have been found in the world, it makes sense that purple diamonds would be considered among the most precious of all diamonds.

There have been very few major purple diamond discoveries. The largest ever known to exist is the 7.34-carat Royal Purple Heart Diamond, which was cut into a perfect heart shape. This diamond is not only notable because of its impressive weight, but also its awe-inspiring brilliance and clarity.

The second most famous stone of this hue is called the Supreme Purple Diamond Heart. Very little is known about this diamond, except that it has a round cut and weighs in between 2 and 5 carats. The main reason this diamond is so notable, though, is that it is said to radiate various shades, some more purple and some almost reddish, when viewed from different angles.

Purple diamonds have an unparalleled mystery and romance, making them ideal for an engagement ring or wedding ring.

The post 2014: The year of ‘Radiant Orchid’ Purple Diamonds appeared first on Naturally Colored.

A 0.75-carat fancy red diamond and a 0.78-carat fancy deep bluish violet diamond, which were found years apart in the famous Argyle Mine in Western Australia, have been united to create a 1.53-carat Diamond Twin Hearts Ring.

Fancy Red and Bluish Violet Diamond Ring

Skeptics can rest assured that this ring is the real deal, as both of the heart-shaped diamonds come with certificates from the Gemological Institute of America (the GIA). The platinum and rose gold ring also includes 4.93 carats of pear-shaped diamonds.

While each exquisite Argyle Diamond in the Twin Hearts Ring is extraordinarily rare on its own, a pair so well matched in size and shape is incomparable,… For connoisseurs and collectors of Argyle Diamonds, the fancy red and the fancy deep bluish violet are investments that will triumph over time.

Said Joe Padulo, CEO of Padulo Prive, an adviser to elite and luxury jewelers

The rarity of red diamonds

The Argyle Diamond Mine is responsible for supplying over 90 percent of the world’s natural pink diamonds, and these stones are not easy to come by. In fact, pink diamonds make up only 0.01 percent of the mine’s production, and a true red diamond is even rarer than that. Only nine fancy red diamonds have been found in the 30-year history of the Argyle Mine. So it’s no surprise that, according to the Fancy Color Diamond Book, true red diamonds can rake in more than seven figures per carat – as was seen in last month’s Argyle Tender with the Red Phoenix, a 1.56 carat Fancy Red that was sold for more than $2 Million (video inside).

Not much is known about red diamonds, making much of their nature a mystery – however, one thing is for sure: Their color is remarkable. The Fancy Color Diamond Book explained that the cause of these stones’ red hue is defects in the crystal lattice that happen during their formation. The resulting color is brighter than the crimson of a ruby or a garnet, and entirely awe-inspiring. You’ll never see the word “intense” or “vivid” before a red diamond. Why? Because gemological laboratories deem that description to be unnecessary – it’s a given that a red diamond is both of these things.

The value of violet diamonds

Pair of Violet Diamonds

Violet diamonds are also a highly unusual discovery. Rare Investment reported that just over a decade ago, there was still a debate as to whether these diamonds could even be considered to have a separate category since they were so uncommon or maybe a sub-category of purple diamonds.

While their existence is undeniable, the news outlet noted that they usually come with undertones of blue or gray, making a true deep violet stone a very special find. In fact, officials that work for Rio Tinto, which owns the Argyle Diamond Mine, have stated that the total amount of violet diamonds they find over the course of a year would barely fill a teaspoon. The saturation levels of this diamond color can range between fancy, fancy dark and fancy deep.

So how do these stones get their amazing hue? Contrary to popular belief, boron does not cause the color of violet diamonds, as it does with blue diamonds. Instead, these diamonds owe their unusual color to traces of hydrogen. There’s no telling how many more violet diamonds the world will see, either. The Argyle Mine, which produces a majority of these stones, is scheduled to close in 2018. That means that five years from now, these stones will become even harder to come by – making them a truly interesting for investment.

The ring is on display by The one and Only One for more information visit here

The post Red and Blue-Violet Diamonds Unite in a Ring appeared first on Naturally Colored.

While most of the world glazed on the centerpiece 75.36 carat D Internally Flawless Briollete, we were mesmerized by the purplish pink diamond above it. Images by Christies

But it’s only fitting that purple make it into the headlines this week, since this upcoming Tuesday marks 60 years since the coronation of the United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth, who owns one of the largest and most amazing diamond collections in the world. Throughout the world, purple is the color of royalty, and today the city of London is awash with purple and gold banners to mark the reign of the British monarch. 60th anniversaries are considered to be diamond anniversaries, so the royal jewels are also being feted to honor the occasion.

King and Queens of England have worn crowns embedded with diamonds for five hundred years now. The first of these, the Tudor State Crown, contains 28 diamonds and is valued today at about $2.6 million, while the last of these, the Imperial State Crown, includes no less than 2,868 diamonds, including the infamous Cullinan II. The Crown of Queen Elizabeth, made for the late Queen Mother, includes the also-infamous Koh-i-Noor diamond. In addition to their crowns, the British royals also own a three-and-a-half-century-old scepter, which was refurbished a century ago to include the astounding 530-carat Cullinan I.

It is also a little known fact that on the day of Elizabeth II’s original coronation ceremony in 1953, word was received that a British team became the first humans to ascend to the peak of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Do you think the House of Windsor have some other exciting news of great significance that they’re waiting to surprise us with this Tuesday?

For more information about the 75.36 carat briollete and purplish pink mq sold by Christies, click here

The post London Awash In Purple For Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee appeared first on Naturally Colored.

Unlike white colorless diamonds, fancy colored diamonds also make a fashion statement and thus are favored by celebrities and athletes.

On that note, purple diamond rings have made the news on several occasions but the most well known is the story of Kobe and Vanessa Bryant. Actually, this story has made the news twice!

For those of you who don’t know, Kobe Bryant is one of the NBA’s leading basketball players and three times NBA championship winner. On November 1999 Kobe and Vanessa met and on April of 2001 the two have tied the knot.

Beautiful Vanessa Bryant Purple Diamond Ring

On July 2003 Kobe was officially charged with rape and about two weeks later, he presented his wife Vanessa with a rare 8 carat purple diamond ring that was reported to be valued at approximately 4 Million Dollars! In a similar event Jennifer Lopez had been proposed by Ben Affleck with a pink diamond engagement ring and suddenly the pink diamond demand rose. It appears that the same happened with this purple diamond ring.

The years have passed, kids were born, rumors about separation have come and gone but on December 2011 it became official. Vanessa Bryant had petitioned for divorce in Orange County. Weirdly enough, even though this time the subject at hand was not a happy one, the discussions around Vanessa’s 8 carat purple diamond ring once more what the public’s attention was focused on. And so was the demand for purple diamonds.

As we know for now, it seems that Vanessa will get to keep her ring – some memories are worth preserving.

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