colored diamonds

Colored diamonds (called Fancy Color Diamonds in English) are naturally colored diamonds that exist in all colors of the light spectrum.
Long considered an anomaly, this "exception" of color in a diamond makes it extremely rare.

COLORED DIAMOND

In order to appreciate a colored diamond, one must not reason in the same way as for a white diamond. Indeed, unlike the colorless diamond, the more intense the color of the colored diamond, the more valuable it will be. Moreover, the purity of the colored diamond does not factor into its valuation. If white diamonds are graded from D to Z by the GIA, colored diamonds have their own classification, related to their color. The 4Cs (color, cut, carat, clarity) still apply to colored diamonds, however.

Understand the colored diamond

To understand what makes a diamond rare, one must look at its composition. Indeed, a white diamond is composed solely of carbon atoms. It is enough for a tiny "impurity" to enter its composition during formation for its color to be altered.
It is in the depths of the earth, under high pressure and high temperature, that diamonds are formed. The formation of colored diamonds is extremely rare and comes from the gases found in these soils. The color of the diamond therefore comes from chemical impurities and crystallographic defects. Chemistry then becomes alchemy, and boron colors the stone blue, nitrogen yellow, hydrogen red, pink, or violet, and radioactive uranium salts give the stone a sublime green hue.
The rarest diamond is the red one, infamously known as the "blood diamond," of which there are only about ten examples over 1 carat. Yellow, on the other hand, is the most common. Until today, more than 300 colors of colored diamonds have been cataloged, and within each of these colors, there is an infinite range of shades and nuances.

The classification of colored diamonds

To classify colored diamonds, one must observe and evaluate four characteristics. First of all, the hue of the stone, which is the body color (yellow, blue, green, pink...). Next, we evaluate its tone, that is, the tendency of the stone to be more or less dark. Next, the intensity of the stone is taken into consideration, whether it is pure or if there are color nuances, or more opaque areas. Finally, it is necessary to observe the distribution, that is, the uniformity of the color distribution on the body of the piece.
Furthermore, in order to classify the stones, the GIA has developed a specific grading system for colored diamonds. In fact, there are 9 degrees of hue for colors (ranging from the least to the most sought after): Pale (Faint) — Very light — Light (Light) — Fancy light (Fancy light) –Fancy (Fancy) — Fancy intense (Fancy intense) — Fancy vivid (Fancy vivid) — Fancy dark (Fancy dark) — Fancy deep (Fancy deep).

The colored diamond by Maison Bäumer Vendôme

Lorenz Bäumer is a fervent advocate of colored diamonds. Convinced of their preciousness and very sensitive to their reflections, the jeweler has created incredible settings for these colored diamonds. At Bäumer Vendôme, colored diamonds are true treasures of nature with natural colors, not artificially modified by irradiation. Each colored diamond is lovingly selected at first sight by Lorenz Bäumer.

Our Yellow diamond pieces

Our chocolate diamond pieces

Our colored diamond pieces

Origin of colored diamonds

If all diamond mines can occasionally extract a few colored diamonds, there are obviously more privileged areas for extracting these precious diamonds. Nevertheless, today it is still almost impossible to determine the exact areas of origin of colored diamonds, which are found in secretly protected zones.
South Africa and the mining town of Kimberley are famous for their diamonds and extract a large number of the colored diamonds found on the market. Botswana is also among the largest producers of diamonds. But these geographical areas are far from being the only places where colored diamonds are extracted.
One mine stands out: the Argyle mine in Australia. From this place come the most beautiful pink, purple, violet, and red diamonds. It is from this mine that the largest purple diamond was extracted, 2.83 carats once cut. Australia is the region that produces a wide range of diamonds in all shades of pink, as well as colors like "champagne" and "cognac." The Argyle mine succeeded in creating a market for its deliciously colored diamonds. The marketing ploy worked immediately. In addition, the New York diamond dealer Le Vian has named "Chocolate Diamonds" dark brown stones that he sets in extremely attractive jewelry. Before this mine offered brown and yellow diamonds on the gemstone market, they were used in industry. Nevertheless, this mine has been closed since November 30, 2020, due to the depletion of its soil. For jonquil or canary diamonds, with the most intense yellow, you need to go to the Zimi mines in Sierra Leone.

How to invest in colored diamond?

Colored diamonds are undeniably rare and have long been undervalued. However, there has been an increase in its price over the past few years, especially for green, yellow, blue, red, yellow, and pink diamonds.
Chocolate, cognac, champagne, or black diamonds, on the other hand, are often cheaper than white diamonds. Place Vendôme, its use remains marginalized. Lorenz Bäumer is one of the only jewelers on the Place to believe so much in these diamonds. Indeed, according to him, colored diamonds are not only sublime but also constitute an extremely reliable long-term investment.
Gems are a full-fledged investment, and colored diamonds could very well hold some wonderful surprises for the future. It is therefore time to take the plunge!

Diamonds and investments

For an investment purchase, here are some recommendations to optimize the investment:
First of all, it is advisable to choose the "intense" or "vivid" shades. If these diamonds are already very expensive, their rarity is real because the prices are well founded on tangible elements, such as the percentage of colored diamond extraction compared to white diamonds, and they will necessarily increase in value over time. High-quality stones, moreover, will be easier to resell.
For an investment, "light Fancy" colors should be avoided. Indeed, "light fancy yellow" is a rather dull diamond color and can resemble a poor-quality white diamond. Another color to avoid: "light fancy pink." This type of colored diamond is too expensive for a barely perceptible pink color.

To guarantee an investment in a colored diamond, it is imperative to buy a GIA-certified diamond because treatments (heating, irradiation) are numerous.

Also pay attention to the color designation on the certificates because you might sometimes see: "Brown Pink" or "Grayish Yellow." This means that one can observe two shades of color in the same stone. While these stones are absolutely magnificent for making jewelry, as a composite stone allows for unique reflections, it is nevertheless advised against acquiring them as an investment, because these diamonds are cheaper than when the color is unique and will resell less well: the more distinct the colors, the easier it is to anticipate a potential resale.
These diamonds indeed challenge certain codes of French high jewelry, while nevertheless respecting the historical and heritage craftsmanship of jewelry, which great jewelers like Lorenz Bäumer master to perfection.

The importance of color in a diamond

Because it is the quintessential gemstone, the diamond has a color that, in the majority of cases, is not natural. If the diamond took several billion years to develop underground, each year between 24 and 36 tons of diamonds are extracted in countries around the world and resold by multiple diamond dealers.
This market then represents several million dollars, particularly that of "fancy diamonds" (colored diamonds). The diamond has a specific structure: it is composed of pure carbon crystals (and sometimes nitrogen). However, this colored stone is full of charm and whimsy. This color has different shades. Once again, the intensity and distribution of the diamond's color are essential elements to consider when choosing your fancy diamond, as they form the coveted rarity of these stones.
Colored diamonds (also called "fancy diamonds") are true marvels in jewelry that can be found in various categories of jewelry. For an engagement ring or any piece of jewelry, the presence of colored diamonds adds whimsy and originality to a piece of jewelry.
As with colorless diamonds, each of our colored diamonds comes with its certificate of authenticity, which gives it a precise identity. You will find important information such as its criteria, its origin, etc.

Colored diamonds are primarily cut to enhance their color and intensity. That is why purity is a less decisive criterion. Cut is an important factor because it affects how the diamond interacts with light.
The cutting technique used for colored diamonds is different from that for diamonds. Indeed, colorless diamonds are cut in a way that maximizes their brilliance, a technique that cannot be applied to colored diamonds as it could alter the natural color of a colored diamond, the main characteristic of this type of diamond.
Regarding the shape of the diamond, there are different ones that are generally seen from above. The colored diamond, being more original than the colorless diamonds, is often seen in a much less traditional shape than the others. Indeed, just like with the cut, their shape is mainly chosen to highlight their color and accentuate their natural hue.
Finally, the last element you need to pay attention to is the choice of your setting. Indeed, to possess the perfect version of the jewelry of your dreams, you will need to achieve perfect harmony between the diamond's cut, the diamond's shape, and the setting. For this, it is necessary to prioritize a metal that enhances the natural color of your colored diamond. For example, pink diamonds can be paired with platinum or white gold, which will enhance their colors even more, but they can also be paired with rose gold to accentuate the coherence in the harmonization of your elements.
Yellow diamonds are also often set in platinum or white gold because they help enhance the intensity of the latter's yellow color. To make this choice, Maison Bäumer is at your disposal and would be delighted to assist you in selecting your elements to achieve the custom-made jewel of your dreams. We also invite you to browse our online jewelry collections to learn more.

THE CRITERIA FOR A BEAUTIFUL COLORED DIAMOND

Just like the basic 4C system, colored diamonds have strict selection criteria. Because Maison Bäumer is committed to offering you superior quality diamonds, we are dedicated to finding the most beautiful colored diamonds to create unique and exceptional pieces.

The color

When purchasing a colored diamond, the intensity, depth, and richness of this color are important characteristics. Indeed, the deeper and more intense the color of your diamond, the rarer and more precious it will be. This criterion is all the more important because the degree of color directly influences the appearance of the stone. Maison Bäumer sincerely wishes to offer its clients stones of exceptional quality in order to enhance their jewelry in the best possible way.
The structure of diamond is very interesting. Indeed, it is formed by the presence of different atoms. The most common of all atoms (besides carbon) remains nitrogen, which gives yellow color nuances to diamonds that would otherwise be colorless and sometimes difficult to see with the naked eye. Very often, for solitaire and engagement ring categories, colorless diamonds with the least possible inclusions and yellow hues that are difficult to observe with the naked eye are preferred.
The shade of the color can vary. Coming straight from nature in different countries around the world, the most common diamonds are colorless diamonds (and they are the ones most used in our collections). These diamonds come with a GIA certificate that attests to the authenticity of the stone. Regularly, you will see the term "vivid diamond," which refers to the intensity of the diamond: a diamond rated "vivid diamond" is an intense diamond with strong colors. If a diamond is formed by carbon crystals, nitrogen allows for the creation of a fancy diamond. Conversely, a "light" diamond is a diamond with a much less intense and more discreet color. "Light diamonds" are widely used in jewelry.
Red, orange, pink, or blue, colored diamonds are extremely rare and full of originality. Therefore, regardless of the jewelry they are set in, they cost more than colorless diamonds (starting from several tens of thousands of dollars). These diamonds come from jewelers in different countries around the world and take many years to be found. Never forget that a diamond must always have its GIA certificate (considered the "ID card" of your diamond) recognized worldwide.


The carat

The carat weight of the colored diamond is a major element as it will determine its price. Extremely rare and precious, colored diamonds initially have a high price that varies depending on the carat weight. Indeed, it is evident that the heavier the diamond, the higher the price will be. The larger stones are extremely rare because they are only extracted in limited quantities from the mines, while the smaller stones are less complicated to find but just as beautiful. In other words, the prices of colored diamonds vary proportionally to their carat weight.

The purity

Regarding colored diamonds, keep in mind that their clarity is a less important factor than for colorless diamonds because the inclusions in the former tend to be masked by the color of the stone. However, if clarity is a major factor in your decision, Maison Bäumer will assist you in choosing it.

Choose the color according to the shape of the diamond

In order to obtain the perfect piece of jewelry for you, it is necessary that the combination of your setting and your colored diamond is harmonious. To achieve a harmonious combination, you must take into account the size and shape of your diamond as well as the setting.
Reds, oranges, pinks, or blues, no matter the color of the diamonds, they must be consistent with the size, shape, and also the number of carats of your diamond. Coming straight from the earth, from all corners of the world, these diamonds are extremely rare and expensive. The GIA certificate provided by jewelers is essential to attest to their authenticity and summarizes various information such as the diamond's structure, its color, its year of extraction, its fluorescence, and also its color nuances.