As if diamonds weren’t valuable and exclusive enough, there is actually a complete and diverse range of fancy color diamonds that are even more uncommon, often leading to higher prices and a greater resale value.
Blue is one of the most highly sought-after color variations available, but what is the current price of natural blue diamonds?
Read on to find out all you can about the true value of these mystical and captivating gemstones.
Table of Contents
Fancy Color Diamonds: The Basics
Before we look at the sort of price you can expect to pay for naturally blue-colored diamonds in particular, we need to understand what they actually are, where they come from, and what influences how much each individual stone will sell for.
There is much more variety and intrigue in the world of diamonds than many people already know, and color is a big part of that.
Blue is just one of the colors that can naturally appear in diamonds, and blue diamonds are part of a subcategory known as “fancy color diamonds”. There are far more colors that you can find besides blue as well, including red, pink, black, orange, yellow, brown, green, gray, and almost as many hues and tones as you can think of.
These are all genuine and true diamonds, with the same basic chemical and structural makeup as the more common colorless examples that are well-known to most people.
The only difference is that some kind of influence has caused a degree of color to become visible, which gives them their unique and rather special appearance.
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Natural Blue Diamonds Current Price Chart
Now that we have all the facts and can understand why the prices of natural blue diamonds are what they are, we can actually take a look at the sort of value they hold on the market today.
| Color | Current 0.5-Carat Price | Current 1-Carat Price |
|---|---|---|
| Colorless | $600 – $4,000 | $2,000 – $15,000 |
| Faint Blue | $2,000 – $8,000 | $8,000 – $16,000 |
| Light Blue | $20,000 – $30,000 | $30,000 – $60,000 |
| Fancy Blue | $40,000 – $60,000 | $150,000 – $400,000 |
| Fancy Vivid Blue | $70,000 – $100,000 | $600,000 – $1,000,000 |
Of course, even average price ranges are an estimate when it comes to diamonds, as there are so many different factors that can affect their price at the end of the day, but natural blue diamonds are certainly very valuable.
They will almost always be worth more than colorless diamonds that are of the same quality, and very vivid colors can come with an astronomically high price tag.
Read also >> Blue Diamonds Price (Current Price Chart)
How Does A Natural Blue Diamond Form?
Almost every single one of the different colors that can be present in diamonds actually appears for a different reason.
Specific types of shear pressure during the formation process can change the structure of the molecules, resulting in pink or red diamonds.
Exposure to radioactive elements over time can cause a green color in the stone after it has grown. High levels of inclusions like graphite can cause a gray or black color, and a certain dispersal of nitrogen atoms can lead to strong yellow or brown coloring.
A natural blue, however, is the result of the element boron being contained within the crystal structure. Although boron is only present in very trace amounts, it can still give the stone a distinct blue color, and some natural blue diamonds will actually be very vivid and intense.
Are Natural Blue Diamonds Real Diamonds?
When you look at the price of some of the natural blue diamonds on the market, you might be wondering whether you would actually be paying for the genuine article.
Don’t be mistaken. Although they might look like a different gemstone entirely, blue diamonds are as much real diamonds as any of the most pristine colorless stones that you can find.
It’s not a ridiculous question to ask. There are, of course, many other gemstones that can look very much like a diamond, some even being given the name due to the similarity in their appearance. Fancy color diamonds are not imposters, though. They are the real deal.
Natural blue diamonds have all of the same properties that other diamonds have, apart from the addition of a very minute amount of boron.
They can be cut and shaped in the same way, they are just as hard and tough, and they have the same chemical, optical, and thermal characteristics as colorless diamonds.
This is why they hold such value: they are genuine diamonds with a remarkable and unique twist.
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Are Natural Blue Diamonds Rare?
Although all colored diamonds are quite rare, natural blue diamonds are among the least common that you can find.
Only around 1 in every 10,000 diamonds that are mined from the earth have any noticeable degree of blue coloring in them, and not very many mines have been able to source them.
The conditions for blue diamonds to form are quite specific, so they don’t appear just anywhere. Some of the locations around the world where natural blue diamonds have been unearthed include:
- The Kollur Mine, India
- The Cullinan Mine, South Africa
- The Argyle Mine, Western Australia
- Kalimantanan, Indonesia
- Premier Mine, South Africa
- Orapa Mine, Botswana
Do Natural Blue Diamonds Cost More Than Colorless Diamonds?
Rarity isn’t everything, even in the diamond industry. There are some color variations that are not seen as particularly desirable to consumers, so they do not always hold more inherent value than colorless diamonds of the same quality – even though they are very hard to find.
Blue diamonds, however, have almost always been in high demand. They are both rare and beautiful and have almost always been more expensive than colorless diamonds. Some of the most valuable gemstones in the world are famously natural diamonds with a strong blue color.
Read also >> How Much Is a 1 Carat Uncut Diamond Worth?
Read also >> 2.5 Carat Lab Grown Diamond Price (Current Price)
What Determines The Value Of Natural Blue Diamonds?
We’ve established just how rare, genuine, and revered natural blue diamonds are, but there is a lot more to the picture that needs to be taken into account when we talk about how much they are worth.
Just like with any other kind of gemstone, the specific characteristics of a diamond will make a huge difference in how expensive it actually is.
There are four main characteristics that are assessed and graded on each individual diamond, and any one of them can drastically change its value.
These are known as the Four Cs: Color, Carat, Clarity, and Cut.
- Color: While colorless diamonds are graded more highly depending on how little color is present, natural blue diamonds are given a grade that describes how vivid and vibrant the blue color is.
- Carat: The most simple grading feature is the carat, which simply defines the weight of the stone.
- Clarity: The clarity grade assesses exactly how many minute inclusions can be seen within the structure of a diamond under a very strong microscope. Even details that are invisible to the naked eye can reduce the value of the stone.
- Cut: The cut grading is all about how well the diamond has been shaped. A diamond that has been cut really well will appear very bright and reflect a lot of light whereas a poorly cut diamond can look dull and muted.
Besides the Four Cs, there is one other factor that has a massive influence on how much you pay for your diamonds: origin.
Not all blue diamonds are naturally occurring, and lab-created stones are a lot cheaper to buy.
Natural Blue Diamonds vs. Lab-Created Blue Diamonds
Although we’re specifically looking at natural blue diamonds here, there is always the option to go for a more affordable stone.
Blue diamonds can be created through scientific processes that are much cheaper, more efficient, and more sustainable than traditional mining. They come in the same range of colors and have the same features as mined diamonds, but they cost around 50% to 70% less to buy.
When you are looking at different diamonds on the market, make sure to take note of where they come from.
All gemstones should clearly mark their origin and let you know whether they were mined from the earth or grown in a lab.
What Colors Can Natural Blue Diamonds Appear In?
When you’re talking about diamonds that are all naturally formed, blue in color, and around the same size and quality – the strength of their coloring will be the most significant factor affecting how much they actually cost to buy.
Natural blue diamonds will be given a specific categorization when they are graded, which describes the intensity of their color. This range includes:
- Faint Blue
- Very Light Blue
- Light Blue
- Fancy Light Blue
- Fancy Blue
- Fancy Intense Blue
- Fancy Deep Blue
- Fancy Vivid Blue
Of course, there can also be different hues present as well. Some might be more of a greenish-blue, while others might be considered a gray-blue.
These are known as secondary hues and can also affect the value of the stone.
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Summary
So, what do you need to know about the current price of natural blue diamonds? The most important thing to note is that this color variation is rare and desirable, so they are always going to hold a lot of value.
The specific features of the stone, its origin, and the intensity of its color will greatly affect how much it costs at the end of the day.
They can go for as little as around $10,000 per carat when they are very faintly blue, but pristine examples can sell for up to six figures.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_diamond
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