Diamond Color

A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond is perfectly transparent with no hue, or color. However, in reality almost no gem-size natural diamonds are absolutely perfect. The color of a diamond may be affected by chemical impurities and structural defects in the crystal lattice. Depending on the hue and intensity of a diamond's coloration, a diamonds color can either detract from or enhance its value.For example most white diamonds are discounted in price when more yellow hue is detectable, while intense pink or blue diamond can be dramatically more valuable. Out of all colored diamonds, red diamond are the rarest. The Aurora Pyramid of Hope displays a spectacular array of naturally colored diamonds, including red diamonds.

Possible Colors:.

Colored Diamond

Diamonds occur in a variety of colors steel gray diamonds, yellow diamonds, orange diamond, red diamond, green diamond, pink diamond, purple diamond, brown diamond and black diamond, Virtually in every color of the rainbow. Colored diamonds contain interstitial impurities or structural defects that cause the coloration, while pure diamonds are perfectly transparent and colorless. Diamonds are scientifically classed into two main types and several sub types, according to the nature of impurities present and how these impurities affect light absorption.
Type 1 diamonds have nitrogen atoms as the main impurity, commonly at a concentration of 0.1% if the nitrogen atoms are in pairs they do not affect the diamonds color these are type laA. If the nitrogen atoms are in large even numbered aggregates they impart a yellow to brown tint.  About 98% of gem diamonds are type la, and most of these are  micture of laA and laB material, these diamonds belong to the Cape series, name after the diamond rich region formerly known as Cape Province in South Africa, whose deposits are largely Type la. If the nitrogen atoms are dispersed throughout the crystal in isolated sites, they give the stone an intense Yellow or occasionally brown tint, the rare canary diamonds belong to this type, which represents only 0.1% of know natural diamonds. Synthetic diamond containing nitrogen is Type lb. Type l diamond absorb in both the infrared and ultraviolet region, from 320 nm.  They also have a characteristic fluorescence and visible absorption spectrum.
Type II diamonds have no measurable nitrogen impurities. Type II diamonds absorb in a different region of the infrared, and transmit in the ultraviolet below 225 nm, unlike type I diamonds. They also have differing fluorescence characteristic  but no discernible visible absorption spectrum. Type IIa diamond can be colored Pink, red or brown due to structural anomalies arising through plastic deformation during crystal growth these diamonds are rare 1.8% of gem diamonds, but constitute a large percentage of Australian production. Type IIb diamonds, which account for 0.1% of gem diamonds, are usually light blue due to scattered boron within the crystal matrix, these diamonds are also semiconductors, unlike other diamond type.