Extraordinarily rare red diamond stones are a luxury, a sign of wealth. Only truly rich people can afford a real red diamond, because the price of these jewelry sometimes skyrockets. To get a scarlet stone, you will not only have to shell out a decent amount of money, but also compete with other people who want it. They are not sold in ordinary jewelry stores and stores; they are purchased at auctions and stock exchanges.
History and origin
Among fancy (colored) diamonds, yellow stones are more common.
Red diamond
Red is the rarest and most mysterious: scientists have not been able to identify the mechanism of color formation.
It is believed that it is created by crystal lattice anomalies that arose over millions of years of “construction” of the stone. Usually manganese gives the red-pink color to gems, but red diamonds lack it.
Diamonds are found in meteorites, but there were no red ones.
According to legends, the stone turned red due to the vices of people and gods:
- The symbol of power in India was the purest white diamond. A certain rajah, wanting to ascend the throne, killed his siblings and father who were “standing on the road.” And when he touched the stone, it turned bloody.
- Northern legend says that once upon a time two tribes lived in the mountainous areas: a peace-loving one in the valley and a warlike one in the mountains. They worshiped different gods - Fire and Ice. The inhabitants of the valley were constantly warmed by the flame, which was the envy of the inhabitants of the icy mountain peaks. They asked their god for permission to bring fire into the caves, but the lord froze the flame. The fire became
- a red crystal shimmering with millions of sparks.
Natural red diamonds have different shades, but red remains the dominant one. According to the GIA (Gemological Institute of the United States), pink specimens of varying intensities are more often found in nature. They are refined by irradiation, making them richer and brighter. These are almost always diamonds from the Argyll mine.
99% of fancy minerals on the market are irradiated, but the natural color of Fancy Red diamonds cannot be recreated.
In second place in value and rarity is the green diamond.
Color spectrum
Of all fancy (i.e. colored) diamonds, red diamonds are the most valuable to collectors. They can have the following shades:
- pink;
- purple;
- red-brown.
The main condition is that such crystals should be dominated by a pure shade of red. Red diamonds, even with impurities, are valued only individually. However, only copies with a Fancy Red certificate (pure, without impurities) are considered unique.
Interesting! At the moment, only 50 pure red gemstones are known, but the US Gemological Institute has certified only 20 stones throughout its existence (about 90 years). The remaining minerals are considered lost.
Physicochemical characteristics
Almost all the characteristics of a natural red diamond copy the classic colorless variety.
Color ranges from deep red to pink.
Red diamonds, unlike diamonds of other colors, are very small. Only three of the known ones are larger than five carats.
| Formula | C |
| Color | Red |
| Shine | Diamond |
| Transparency | Transparent |
| Hardness | 10 |
| Cleavage | Perfect |
| Kink | Conchoidal to splintery |
| Density | 3.47—3.55 g/cm³ |
Red diamond - description
Red diamond is very rare in nature. It is mined only in a few countries:
- Australia;
- Brazil;
- Africa.
Of all the colored diamonds found, only 10% have a red tint. In fact, this is a very, very small amount, given the huge demand for scarlet-colored diamonds. But even if a gem has a similar color, this does not mean that it will go to the counter of a jewelry store. It undergoes a thorough quality check, which includes the following characteristics:
- purity;
- color saturation and uniformity;
- presence of inclusions;
- transparency;
- perfect shine.
Only when experts are convinced of the uniqueness of the gem, only then can we talk about its future fate as an insert into a piece of jewelry.
As for the physical characteristics of a natural red gem, they are identical to other diamonds, no matter what color they are:
- hardness - 10 on the Mohs scale;
- quite strong, but if you hit it with force with a hammer, it will undoubtedly crumble;
- shine - diamond, bright;
- transparency - translucent, sometimes translucent depending on the density of the color;
- shade - from rich almost burgundy to pale scarlet.
Place of extraction
Red stones are rare; their deposits are found only in three places on the planet: on the Australian continent, in Brazil and South Africa.
Red diamond ring
The Australian mine (Argyle Mine) produces 600 million diamonds annually. However, there are only 60 reds, or one in ten million. There are even fewer red nuggets in the mines of South Africa and Brazil. Large deposits produce only a few of them per year, so gems are counted “by name”.
Links[edit]
- "Diamond" . WebMineral. Retrieved July 7, 2009. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ^ ab Trevor Nace (November 2, 2015). "The 12 Most Expensive Gems in the World". Forbes
. Retrieved May 21, 2022. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link) - "Color in Diamonds". Museum of Natural History L.A. Minblog
. January 21, 2013 - Fred Cuellar (2005-03-01). How to Buy a Diamond: Insider Secrets on How to Get Your Money's Worth. paragraph 19. ISBN 978-1-4022-0409-8.
- "The Splendor of Diamonds: Moussaieff Red". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved March 26, 2022. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ^ab Rakhminov, E. (2009). The Book of Fancy Colored Diamonds: Facts and Secrets of the Rarity Trade. New York: Diamond Odyssey. ISBN 978-9659149902.
- ^ ab Grading Fancy-Color Diamonds Archived November 2, 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Gemological Institute of America
- Meili Wang, Guanghai Shi, and Joe CC Yuan (2017). "HPHT Red Synthetic Diamond Mixed Processed". Precious stones and gemology
.
53
(1): 139–140.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - “What colors are fancy diamonds?” . investment
.
diamonds
_ Diamond Investment and Exploration Center. Retrieved March 25, 2017. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link) - ^ ab "Fancy Red Diamonds: A Guide for Buyers and Investors". diamondenvy.com
. Diamond envy. Retrieved March 27, 2022. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link) - "Red diamonds are the rarest of them all". GIA.edu
. Gemological Institute of America. Retrieved March 26, 2017. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link) - "Kimberley's red diamond has been recut". Diamond World. Retrieved March 26, 2022. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- Sebastian Naturski. "Diamond Color". Your diamond teacher
. Retrieved March 26, 2022. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link) - "Characteristics and classification of natural color pink diamonds". GIA.edu
. Gemological Institute of America. Retrieved March 25, 2017. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link) - “How are colored diamonds formed?” . Diamond Price Guru. Retrieved January 25, 2022. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- "A Guide to Investing in Fancy Color Diamonds - Part 1". investment
.
diamonds
_ Diamond Investment and Exploration Center. Retrieved March 27, 2017. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link) - “What is chemical vapor deposition?” . Innovateus. Retrieved January 26, 2022. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- "The famous Argyll diamond mine is a source of brilliance". Naturally colored. Retrieved March 27, 2022. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- "The rarest gem in the world". Selection of gemstones. Retrieved March 26, 2022. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- "Kanzanja Red Diamond". American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved March 26, 2022. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- "Diamond mining in Minas Gerais, Brazil". GIA. Retrieved January 26, 2022. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- ↑
"Exceptional Pink and Red Diamonds: Celebrating the 30th Argyle Diamond Competition". GIA. Retrieved January 26, 2022. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link) - "Man of Fortune". Ha'aretz
. October 10, 2001. Retrieved April 29, 2012. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link) - "DeYoung Red Diamond" Internet stones
. Retrieved March 26, 2022. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link) - "10 Jewels That Made History". Christies
.
Magic properties
The magical effect of the mineral is also determined by its color.
For centuries, red-hued gems have been considered the embodiment of passion and fidelity.
They revive the strength of marital feelings, helping to preserve the family hearth.
A rare red stone is an attribute of male leaders in life: politicians, businessmen, generals.
The properties of a diamond in a gold ring are of particular importance:
- on any left finger - business success;
- on the average - winning;
- on the little finger - sexuality, romantic dating.
Ring with a red diamond
Necklace or earrings with a scattering of scarlet diamonds - a ladies' talisman of charm, happiness, love.
According to the sages of Ancient India, of the building blocks of the Universe (Energy, Water, Air, Sky, Earth), blood-red diamonds are dominated by energy. The owner is endowed with courage and power.
The red stone requires caution: its power is beyond the strength of a strong person.
What does the stone symbolize, its unusual properties
The color red is a symbol of life; it represents love and fidelity. Giving jewelry with such a diamond means the highest degree of devotion, strong love and passionate feelings that are experienced for a person.
Some believe that the magic of the mineral helps preserve feelings, strengthen relationships and family ties.
The jewelry is suitable for women over thirty years of age, it helps to awaken passion and helps release feminine energy.
Lithotherapists believe that red diamond can heal, improve the condition of blood vessels and normalize the functioning of the heart and circulatory system. Read more about the properties of a diamond and its influence on the signs of the Zodiac →
Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?
According to astrologers, a red diamond will suit all zodiac signs.
His favorites are representatives of the Fire element. The pebble will help you be healthier, cleanse your chakras, and attract the inhabitants of the astral plane.
| Zodiac sign | Compatibility |
| Aries | +++ |
| Taurus | + |
| Twins | + |
| Cancer | + |
| a lion | +++ |
| Virgo | + |
| Scales | + |
| Scorpion | + |
| Sagittarius | +++ |
| Capricorn | + |
| Aquarius | + |
| Fish | + |
(“+++” – fits perfectly, “+” – can be worn, “-” – is strictly contraindicated)
Where is it used?
Natural red stones are in demand in two areas: jewelry and investment.
Red diamond
Jewelry sphere
Jewelry is made according to the orders of the owner of the stones.
They are framed with high-grade gold or platinum. The cost of the frame has little effect on the price tag of the jewelry; the work of the jeweler costs more.
Refined red crystals are reserved for premium-segment jewelry created by jewelry house designers.
You can buy them there too.
Investments
The attractiveness of red diamonds as investment objects is evidenced by the dynamics of auction prices:
- in the 1980s, a 7-carat stone sold for $127,000 per carat; seven years later the price soared eightfold (to $926 thousand);
- a one-carat diamond was bought for $880 thousand; soon a ring with a 2.2-carat blood-colored insert went for $1.5 million per carat.
Red natural stones never get cheaper.
Authenticity is guaranteed by the GIA quality certificate. This organization issued documents for 20 red natural stones.
Price
The cost of a red diamond is primarily affected by the rarity of the stone.
The ring is inlaid with classic white diamonds and yellow gold, red diamond
The following factors are also taken into account:
- Size. Specimens of more than five carats are considered large, more than 15 are rare, and more than 95 are unique. The size and weight of diamonds raise the price significantly.
- Hue. Value is determined by the presence or absence of an additional shade plus the intensity of the red color: on average, $1 million per carat of a high-purity stone weighing up to a carat. The most valuable is Fancy Red, that is, red without yellowness or brownishness.
- Cut. Red stones rarely have complex cuts: a large number of facets significantly reduces the weight of the stone. The red color is devoid of sparkle; to make it appear, a mixed technique is used: the surface is smooth, the lower part, hidden in the frame, is faceted. Cabochons are common, options are in the shape of a rectangle, circle or oval, and sometimes a diamond cut is chosen.
- Purity. The crystal purity indicator takes into account the number, size, and nature of internal anomalies visible under a 10x magnifying glass.
There are 12 purity groups for red diamonds: from the first, without inclusions, to the 12th - with flaws that are visually distinguishable.
Cut and setting
Red diamonds reveal their beauty when cut correctly when they turn into diamonds. Fantasy stones require the most careful and thoughtful work, because... intricate cuts can significantly reduce the size of the gem.
Cut options
Scarlet diamonds are small in size. For this reason, the most gentle methods are used for cutting - such crystals are processed in the shape of a circle, oval or cabachon.
By their nature, red diamonds lack some of the sparkle compared to colorless varieties. Therefore, for large stones, special methods are used to increase sparkle. For example, mixed technique - the upper part remains as even and smooth as possible, the part in the frame acquires many edges. This helps create an internal glow and additional shimmer in the light.
Red diamonds are processed only by top-class craftsmen with many years of experience, and the work itself can take from 1 month to a whole year.
Such diamonds should be framed with gold and platinum. Considering the high cost of such a crystal, it makes no sense to save on the frame.
How to spot a fake
The issue of stone identification for natural red diamonds is of theoretical interest.
It is easy to determine the origin of each stone using the GIA quality certificate. Information about the “life path” of the diamond from the mine to the auction is also included.
Red diamond necklace
Refined specimens also have certificates.
Famous stones
Large red diamonds are so rare that they have legendary status. Among them:
- Moussaieff Red, 5.11 ct. It has a triangular cut. The stone was found in Brazil in the 90s of the last century, originally weighed 13.90 carats and belonged to the William Goldberg Diamond Corporation. Subsequently, it was sold to the Moussaieff jewelry house (which is why it was renamed) for $8 million.
- Red Diamond, 5.05 ct. It has a stepped emerald cut. The stone was found in the Republic of South Africa in 1927. Where he is now is unknown.
- De Young Red, 5.03 ct. It has a round cut and a slightly brownish tint. Named after its first owner, Sidney de Young, a jeweler from Boston. Now located in one of the museums of the Smithsonian Institution in the USA.
Smaller and more famous stones can be used to create premium jewelry. As a rule, these are single works performed according to the client’s order.
Video
How to wear and care
An elite red diamond requires (and deserves) appropriate treatment.
How to wear
A passion-colored stone is intended for exceptional events or occasions. A premium wardrobe is selected, but caution is advisable with the red color: the fabric can overshadow the splendor of the stone.
Scarlet diamonds are an attribute of ladies over 25 years old. Jewelry with this stone awakens passion and releases femininity.
For young girls, a light diamond or a very similar pink sapphire is suitable.
It is a myth that a diamond cannot be broken - the hardest mineral is fragile.
It’s better not to touch it: your fingers will leave an unaesthetic imprint.
How to care
Such stones are not worn every day, but they get dirty and therefore require care.
Wipes or special cleaning products are not suitable: the stones are too expensive. Jewelry is taken to the jeweler for inspection every year. He will “scan” the gem and the frame, check the fastenings so that the insert does not fall out, and carry out ultrasonic cleaning.
All the housewife needs to do is buy a decent box.
If you want to clean your jewelry, the procedure is carried out using gloves, a brush, a cleaning compound or a soap solution. After cleaning, rinse with water.
Origin of the color red[edit]
Despite decades of research, scientists have still not come to a conclusion about the source of diamonds' red color. It is believed [by whom?] that the reason for the pink color of pink diamonds is also the origin of the red color, but in a more concentrated dose. The most common theory [according to whom?] is that during the formation of diamond, plastic deformation occurs in the crystal lattice structure. Some of the atoms are misplaced as the diamond moves upward through its kimberlite deposits, and the intense pressure of this movement causes various shades of pink or red to appear. [6] This confirms the hypothesis [by whom?]that red diamonds are dark pink diamonds, and why only one color intensity is possible. Red diamonds can be modified with the same secondary colors that can be found in pink diamonds. [7] The red color can also be produced by irradiating colorless diamond with high energy particles and then annealing it at high pressures and temperatures. [8]
