FANCY COLORED RED DIAMONDS

WHERE ARE FANCY COLORED LOOSE RED DIAMONDS FOUND?

The majority of Fancy Colored Loose Red Diamonds are mined in Australia in the world-famous Argyle Diamond mine owned by the Rio Tinto company. They have also been found on rare occasions in Brazil and Africa.

HOW ARE FANCY COLORED LOOSE RED DIAMONDS FORMED AND WHAT GIVES THEM THEIR COLOR?

Natural Fancy Colored Diamonds derive their color from the inclusion of impurities such as boron, nitrogen, or/and hydrogen during their formation. However, Fancy Colored Loose Red Diamonds are very different as they are formed purely from carbon, much like Natural Colorless Diamonds. The red color is believed to be created by stress lamination defects within the crystal lattice defects during the diamond's formation. This deformation is referred to as ‘plastic deformation,’ and a very intense level of this deformity results in the highly prized bright red color.

It is said that when a red diamond is retrieved from underground and light is allowed to pass through the irregular lattice, the unusual bending of the light causes the diamonds to reflect the red coloration. Those who have been fortunate enough to see a Fancy Colored Loose Red Diamond have observed that the diamond does not resemble a garnet, ruby, or other gemstones, as the actual coloring of a true red diamond is somewhat sweeter.

Some Fancy Colored Loose Red Diamonds that appear red to the naked eye are, in actual fact, fancy deep or dark pinks. Of note is the fact that, while the difference between a moderately dark pink and a red diamond is at times subtle, the stone and color saturation that result in the face-up appearance associated with red are, in fact, seldom seen.

WHAT SHADING GRADES ARE FANCY COLORED RED DIAMONDS?

Adding to the desirability of Fancy Colored Red Diamonds is the fact that, unlike other colors of Natural Fancy Colored Loose Diamonds, red diamonds possess no varying levels of intensity of red. They are never described in GIA shading as being intense or vivid because gemological laboratories consider the red color itself as intense or vivid. In actual fact, the red coloration could be considered to be just a super-saturated level of the pink spectrum ranging from dark pink to purplish red. A true pure red diamond is seldom seen, and this rarity is reflected in the price because, as with all Natural Fancy Colored Loose Diamonds, the stronger the hue, the greater the value of the diamond.

However, there are different modifiers that can be attached to the red color, and possibly the most common and most admired is purplish red. Other common modifiers are brownish and orangey, but these diamonds are worth appreciably less than diamonds with the color grading of straight red or purplish red.

ARE NATURAL FANCY COLORED LOOSE RED DIAMONDS RARE?

Fancy Colored Loose Red Diamonds are incredibly rare. Only twenty to thirty true red diamonds are known to exist, and most are less than half a carat in size.

In comparison to Natural Colorless Diamonds, where on any day you could find a plentiful supply of high-quality diamonds weighing over 5 carats in the market, the largest known Fancy Colored Loose Red Diamond in the world is the ‘Moussaieff Red’ (originally known as the ‘Red Shield’), which is only 5.11 carats.

ARE FANCY COLORED LOOSE RED DIAMONDS EXPENSIVE?

The simple answer to this question is YES! Fancy Colored Loose Red Diamonds are significantly more expensive than Natural Fancy Colored Diamonds or Natural Colorless Diamonds. The reason for this has to be simply because they are a rare specimen, and as we know, the rarer a diamond is, the more desired and valuable it is.

It is widely predicted that Fancy Colored Loose Red Diamonds will, in years to come, become even rarer as it is unclear how much more the red diamond mines can yield of this precious stone. As a result, the price of Fancy Colored Loose Red Diamonds is expected to increase by over 50%.

ARE FANCY COLORED LOOSE RED DIAMONDS AN INVESTMENT?

As previously stated, Fancy Colored Loose Red Diamonds are very rare, which results in incredibly high prices. Therefore, unlike many of the other Natural Fancy Colored Diamonds, red diamonds are mainly only purchased by investors and collectors for the purpose of a buy-and-hold investment strategy and completing a prestigious diamond collection.

A pure Fancy Colored Loose Red Diamond, which is the most desired, is very difficult to procure and so will demand the largest price tag. However, for those who are serious about investing in diamonds, purchasing a Fancy Colored Loose Red Diamond will never be a disappointment, as this stunning gemstone really is the jewel in the crown.

ARE THERE ANY FAMOUS FANCY COLORED LOOSE RED DIAMONDS?

The most famous and the largest Fancy Colored Loose Red Diamond is the ‘Moussaieff Red,’ also referred to as the ‘Red Shield.’ This stunning red diamond weighs only 5.11 carats, which means that in terms of weight, the ‘Moussaieff Red’ would not rank among the world’s largest diamonds. Its fame comes from the fact that it is the very best example of one of the rarest diamonds in the world.

The Hancock Red Diamond weighs 0.95ct and is a fabulous round brilliant-cut red diamond named after the famous collector, Warren Hancock. It is famous for its rare purplish red color. Mr. Hancock reportedly paid $13,500 for this diamond in 1956 and proved to be a very wise investment, selling for an incredible $880,000 in 1987.

Another famous Fancy Colored Loose Red Diamond is the ‘Rob Red,’ a pear-shaped, 0.59ct fancy red, VS1 clarity diamond. This particular diamond has been described by GIA color grading experts as the most saturated and purest red diamond measured visually and instrumentally to date in the world. In comparison, and just as breathtaking, is the ‘Supreme Purple Star,’ which is a deep purple diamond round brilliant cut, weighing 2 to 5 carats. This diamond is said to be a ‘study in individuality.’ The exact color and clarity of the diamond have not been revealed, but when viewed looking at the diamond from one angle, it appears to be of a deep purple color. However, when the diamond is rotated in the light, the color changes to a very striking and lustrous deep to vivid purplish red color.

HAVE ANY FAMOUS CELEBRITIES WORN FANCY COLORED LOOSE RED DIAMONDS?

The prices for Fancy Colored Loose Red Diamonds can start at 7 figures per carat, and they are so rare and expensive that they are generally beyond the reach of many celebrities. Plus, as it is nearly impossible to find a true red diamond over 1 carat, this would hardly be enough bling to catch the paparazzi's eye!

WHERE CAN I BUY FANCY COLORED LOOSE RED DIAMONDS?

Rêve Diamonds of New York is one of the few diamond specialists who offer their valued customers the opportunity to purchase Fancy Colored Loose Red Diamonds, and you would be well-advised to contact their specialist team when making such an investment in this fabulous red gemstone.