Beautiful and unique, blue diamonds are long associated with royalty. The colour paired with the exclusivity and glamour of the stone has made these blue gemstones highly coveted.
These precious stones are hugely sought-after and the fact that they’re rare has simply made them all the more so. It’s no wonder that blue diamond’s value is exceptionally high.
What Are Blue Diamonds?
Blue diamond stones are genuine diamonds that are not treated or enhanced in any way. They exhibit all of the same inherent properties of the precious stone but have the added element of a blue hue.
These blue gems belong to a subcategory of diamonds. This subcategory is known as “fancy colour diamonds”. This is the overall generic name for naturally occurring diamonds that exhibit intense colours. The shades of blue diamonds discovered over the years range from greyish blue to violet, and even green-ish blue.
How Are Blue Diamonds Made?
A major part of what makes blue diamonds so special is that they’re naturally occurring. Just like in the formation of any other diamond, blue diamonds are elements of carbon that have fused together during times of intense heat and pressure. Usually, this process takes millions and millions of years.
Are Blue Diamonds Natural Or Manmade
As with most precious gems, blue diamond stones are found in nature, but they can be synthetically recreated in a laboratory too. However, natural blue diamond values are significantly higher than their manmade counterparts.
Manmade blue diamonds are simply white diamonds treated with heat to alter their colouring. In other words, they are not actually true blue diamonds. Furthermore, naturally occurring blue diamonds tend to have a noticeably different tone to manmade ones. Gemologists are easily able to tell which stones are from nature, and which are synthetically manufactured in a lab.
The colouring of blue diamonds is due to the element of boron being present during their formation. It’s also thought that nitrogen plays a role in determining just how intense the blue of the stone is. If the nitrogen levels are low while the diamond forms, it’s likely that the stone’s tone will emerge much deeper when mixed with high levels of boron.
How Much Are Blue Diamonds Worth?
Blue diamond values are quite a bit higher than any other diamond. The value of every gemstone is determined by a number of factors, and blue diamond stones are no different. Factors considered when the stones are priced include:
- Cut
- Carat size
- Clarity
- Depth of the colour
The lighter the shade of blue, the less expensive the blue diamond value will be. Deep and vivid blue diamonds cost far more. For example, the average cost of a 0.5 carat light blue diamond is US $26 280. However, for a deep or vivid blue diamond weighing in at 0.25 carats, you can expect to pay upwards of US $75 000.
Certain colour combinations, such as those that appear more grey-ish blue than blue in colour, tend to be easier on the pocket. Generally, smaller blue diamonds that weigh below 0.3 carats are used to make more affordable jewellery pieces and are often paired with other stones.
Are Blue Diamonds More Expensive Than Other Diamonds?
In general, blue diamond stones are price higher than other diamonds. Red diamonds are perhaps the only hue of diamond that surpasses blue diamonds in price.
Blue diamonds are particularly rare, which is what drives their price up so much. Their rarity makes them a target for collectors, enthusiasts, jewellers and investors from all parts of the globe.
Why Are Blue Diamonds So Expensive?
Blue diamond values fluctuate from time to time depending on supply and demand. However, they remain high and are quite expensive in general. The main reason for their high costs is their rarity. The stones with intense colour are more expensive, not just because they are so beautiful, but because they are also harder to find in nature.
Where Do Blue Diamonds Come From?
Natural blue diamond stones have only been found in three places in the world. South Africa’s Cullinan Mine has perhaps produced the highest volume of blue diamonds, but these precious stones have also been found in Australia’s Argyle Mine, and at the Golconda Mine in India.
How Can You Tell If A Blue Diamond Is Real?
There are numerous ways to tell if a blue diamond is real, but perhaps the easiest ways are these:
The fog test
Hold the blue diamond stone between two fingers and breathe on it with a puff of air. A light layer of fog will form on the diamond because of the heat in your breath. If the fog disappears right away, it’s real. Diamonds conduct and disperse heat quickly. If it takes a few seconds for the fog to disperse, the stone is not real.
The water test
Fill a drinking glass with water and carefully drop the loose blue diamond stone into the glass. If it sinks, it’s a real diamond. If it floats, it’s fake. Diamonds are very dense, so they should sink immediately.
What Does A Blue Diamond Symbolise?
The colour blue has long been a symbol of royalty and wisdom. This, coupled with its rarity, has turned blue diamond stones into symbols of truth, devotion, peace, eternity, chastity and spirituality.
The stone also symbolises the natural elements of sky and water. Water is associated with the beginning of new life, and cleansing. The sky is associated with eternity, infinity, immortality and a feeling of transcendence.
The rarity, symbolism and value of blue diamond stones, as well as the beauty they add to any piece of jewellery, make them an excellent investment for any collector. As far as blue gems go, this is one that really makes a statement!
Is blue your favourite colour? Find out more about other blue gemstones like Blue Sapphires, Aquamarine and Tanzanite.