Do you know what is the price of irradiated blue diamonds or what is their value compared to other diamonds? Well, you are at the perfect place to find the answer to such a question.
Irradiated diamonds are diamonds that have vivid color. Naturally colored diamonds experience radiation in the Earth’s crust as they’re forming that causes them to change from some hint of color to a little brighter depending on the amount of exposure.
On average 1 carat irradiated blue diamond will cost you around $2,500. Skilled gemologists can irradiate diamonds to get intense blue colors not found naturally. These are still real diamonds, but they’ve undergone a synthetic radioactive treatment in a lab. They’re less expensive than naturally colored diamonds, while packing a color punch that people will notice.
In this article, we’ll look further into the irradiation process. We’ll also look at the pricing of irradiated blue diamonds and how they compare to other kinds of diamonds. Keep reading to learn more about these gorgeous stones and to find an easy-to-read chart about their prices.
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Table of Contents
What Are Irradiated Diamonds?
Let’s look a little more into what irradiated diamonds are.
Scientists have created a treatment that blasts diamonds with strong radiation to cause a reaction that intensifies their colors. A natural blue diamond is attractive, but after the irradiation process, it’s stunning.
Read also >> Do Blue Diamonds Exist? (All You Need to Know)Â
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Read also >> Where to Buy GIA Certified Diamonds (11 Best Places)
How Does Irradiation Work?
The diamond starts with heavy exposure to radiation. The strong treatment causes shifts and changes within the diamond structure.
Once the first phase of the treatment is over and the radioactivity is inert, the next phase begins.
The diamond is heated to such a high temperature that a chemical reaction takes place which changes the color of the diamond and intensifies the hue.
Are Irradiated Blue Diamonds Valuable?
Irradiated diamonds don’t lose value. The irradiation process does not change the quality of a diamond.
GIA still recognizes these stones as real diamonds and grades them with the 4 Cs, as with white diamonds.
Those who want a blue diamond but can’t afford the price of an all-natural blue diamond can find something more budget-friendly in the form of an irradiated blue diamond.
How Much Is a 1 Carat Irradiated Blue Diamond?
While irradiated blue diamonds are far less expensive than natural blue diamonds, they are still worth some money.
You can get a 1 carat irradiated blue diamond for around $2,500. However, just as is the case with all other diamonds, these too are graded, and the value is determined by the grades they’re given.
Below is a chart showing the range of prices for irradiated blue diamonds.
| Carat | Price |
|---|---|
| 0.25 | $425 – $625 |
| 0.50 | $925 – $1,513 |
| 0.75 | $1,263 – $2,075 |
| 1.00 | $1,700 – $2,800 |
| 1.25 | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| 1.50 | $2,500 – $8,750 |
| 1.75 | $4,000 – $13,750 |
| 2.00 | $5,000 – $15,000 |
This chart shows a much lower price range for blue diamonds that have been irradiated compared to a chart for natural blue diamonds.
These numbers are only about 25% of what natural blue diamonds cost.
Where Can I Buy Irradiated Blue Diamonds?
Many jewelers sell irradiated blue diamonds. You can find them in local shops, chain stores, and online retailers.Â
James Allen has a wide selection of irradiated blue diamonds. It may be much more difficult to find a natural blue diamond.
Since irradiated blue diamonds get their color in a laboratory, they’re a lot easier to find for sale.
How Can You Tell If a Diamond Has Been Irradiated?
The naked eye isn’t able to determine if a diamond has been irradiated.
While someone who knows what they’re looking for can tell the difference between an irradiated diamond and blue sapphire or other gemstone, it’s much more difficult to tell the difference between a natural blue diamond and one that’s been irradiated in a lab.
It takes a trained professional to figure out if a blue diamond has been irradiated, but it can be done. Gemologists can tell the difference using color zoning and spectroscopy.
- Color zoning – This is in reference to how the color is dispersed through the stone. Irradiated blue diamonds have uniform coloring throughout. Natural blue diamonds have different layers of color within the diamond. It can’t be seen without special tools. An expert can tell with a loupe or a microscope.
- Spectroscopy – Professional gemologists can use a spectrophotometer to measure and record the diamond’s color absorption lines. There are two specific lines they look for, the H1b and H1c. If these are present, that’s an indicator the diamond has been irradiated.
An amateur with no special tools won’t be able to tell if a blue diamond has been irradiated. It’s best to take the diamond to a specialist.
Are Irradiated Blue Diamonds Radioactive?
Irradiated diamonds are not radioactive. They’re hit with strong radiation from all sides. However, diamonds don’t absorb radiation. It causes a reaction in the stone but does not cause it to become radioactive.
Irradiated blue diamonds are not harmful. The radiation and heat they’re exposed to only serves to change the appearance of the stones. It doesn’t do anything to the chemical consistency of the diamonds.
Are Irradiated Blue Diamonds Safe to Wear?
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has not recorded any reports of harm caused by irradiated gems. They do have some regulations governing the dispersal of these stones.
Diamond labs are not permitted to distribute irradiated stones whenever they like. There are regulations in place mandating that irradiated diamonds must not be sold to the public without sitting for months to allow the radiation time to decay.
They’re deemed safe to wear after that.
Do Blue Diamonds Fade?
Blue diamonds do not fade. Once the radiation and heat have intensified the colors, they’re set. The only way they could possibly fade is if they were exposed to the kind of heat that gave them color in the first place.
It would take extended exposure to temperatures between 900 and 1600 degrees Fahrenheit for the color to fade or change.
That’s not going to happen, so no, your blue diamonds won’t fade.
What Do Blue Diamonds Symbolize?
You may know that diamond colors symbolize various things. Blue diamonds are known to symbolize the following:
- Peace
- Devotion
- Chastity
- Truth
- Spirituality
- Eternity
Blue is a calming color. It’s known to elicit feelings of peace and harmony.
What Do Other Diamond Colors Symbolize?
Let’s take a minute and look at what the different colored diamonds represent.
- Orange – This is an extremely rare color of the diamond. It’s also not the most popular. Orange is often seconded with other colors like red, yellow, or brown, which makes them not the most attractive stones. A vibrant orange diamond represents enthusiasm, courage, and energy.
- Green – Green is also rare and usually looks yellowish green. It’s tones represent prosperity, nature, strength, and abundance.
- Brown (sometimes chocolate) – Brown diamonds are often referred to by more descriptive names, such as coffee, cognac, chocolate, or champagne. Brown diamonds are associated with clarity, nature, stability, and order.
- Red and pink – Red is the rarest color of all diamonds. Red and pink fall into the same category here because their values are similar. Both colors represent confidence, passion, power, and strength.
- Yellow – Yellow is a popular diamond color. Some of the world’s most famous pieces of jewelry include yellow diamonds. Yellow diamonds symbolize friendship, happiness, hope, and humility.
Can Irradiated Blue Diamonds Be Certified?
Irradiated diamonds experience a change in color. They do not change any other way. They will maintain the same carat weight, the same clarity, and the same cut.
When diamonds undergo the irradiation process, it’s something that changes the diamond permanently. For this reason, the Gemological Institute of America, or GIA, grades and certifies irradiated blue diamond’s just like they will other real diamonds.
Irradiated diamonds are real. Even the process of irradiating them is a natural process. Scientists have just figured out how to do it in a laboratory in a more efficient manner.
What If I Want to Sell an Irradiated Blue Diamond?
The most important piece to selling an irradiated blue diamond is to do your homework and have the documentation you need to support your diamond’s specs.
You should also find a way to allow someone to get an inspection done if they’d like to.
You shouldn’t take anything personally if an interested party starts asking questions or wants to have a professional look at it.
This is a good sign. Someone who cares to find out more about the diamond and validate its authenticity is a more serious shopper. Be smart about how you comply, but don’t shy away from it.
Are Blue Diamonds Better Than White Diamonds?
It’s not a fair comparison to say all blue diamonds are better than white ones or vice versa.
The color isn’t what makes the diamond better all around. The color you want is a personal preference. An irradiated blue diamond might be the ideal choice for you.
James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices.
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- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
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The Bottom Line
Irradiated blue diamonds are real diamonds that have been color enhanced. They’re valuable as gemstones but don’t cost nearly as much as natural blue diamonds.
The irradiation process allows people who could otherwise not afford a blue diamond the opportunity to purchase the stunning blue diamond they want.
References
https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/irradiated-gemstones.html
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