Unveiling the Scarcity of Red Diamonds: An Examination of Their Exceptional Rarity in Gemstone World
In the realm of precious gems, few are as rare and valuable as unmodified red diamonds. These dazzling jewels, such as the Argyle Everglow, a 2.11 carat radiant-shaped fancy red diamond, are a testament to the extraordinary conditions deep within the Earth.
Unlike most colored diamonds whose hues come from trace chemical impurities, natural red diamonds get their color from structural distortions in the diamond’s crystal lattice. This unique feature is a result of intense pressure deep in the Earth's mantle, which deforms the diamond’s atomic structure just enough to shift light absorption so that the diamond reflects red light.
These distortions create dense dislocation networks within the crystal lattice, rather than being caused by trace chemical elements such as boron (blue diamonds) or nitrogen (yellow diamonds). The formation of these rare gems likely occurs under extremely high pressure conditions that are rare within the Earth’s crust, possibly in regions like Brazil or Venezuela, although the exact geographic origin remains uncertain.
Red diamonds often fall into the gemological category of type IaAB Group 1, indicating they are rich in aggregated nitrogen defects. However, their red color is primarily due to lattice deformation rather than chemical impurities.
The rarity of unmodified red diamonds is extreme. Only 0.04% of fancy-colored diamonds graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) are classified as Fancy Red, and very few exceed two carats. Many also exhibit clarity imperfections, which are often overlooked due to the extraordinary color rarity.
Other notable red diamonds include the DeYoung Red, a dark reddish-brown round modified brilliant cut weighing 5.03ct, purchased around 1930-40, and the Kazanjian Red diamond, a 5.05ct emerald cut red diamond found in South Africa in 1927.
The Argyle mine in Western Australia was the main world producer of pink to red diamonds, but production ceased in 2020. Brown, pink, and red diamond colors are thought to result from distortion of their atomic structures, possibly due to plastic deformation.
The value of these smaller red diamonds reflects their rarity. Those above 0.20ct usually exceed $500,000 per carat. Approximately one in ten thousand gem-quality diamonds are fancy-colored, and only 40% of these have an intense color.
The Aurora Pyramid of Hope Collection at the Natural History Museum in London showcases the full spectrum of natural diamond colors, including rare red diamonds. Some of these rare gems, such as the Argyle Everglow and the DeYoung Red, are displayed in prestigious museums like the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
Irradiation can cause diamonds to turn green, but the formation of unmodified red diamonds remains a geological mystery. Despite our growing understanding of colored diamonds, the specific conditions needed for an unmodified red diamond are a unique combination of prolonged, intense pressure deep in Earth’s mantle causing subtle but dense lattice distortions, in a diamond type rich in nitrogen aggregation but without color caused by impurities. This geological process is rare and not fully understood, which is why red diamonds are among the rarest and most valuable natural colored diamonds.
- In a lab class exploring gemmology, the formation of unmodified red diamonds is a topic of interest due to their extreme rarity and unique atomic structure.
- Pursuing a diploma in gemmology, one might study the science behind red diamonds, such as how they get their color from structural distortions in the diamond’s crystal lattice, not trace chemical elements like boron or nitrogen.
- Events highlighting health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise may feature jewelry displays, showcasing rare red diamonds, which are not only precious gems but also an intriguing piece of scientific mystery, formed under extreme pressure deep within the Earth.
- Technology enthusiasts might appreciate the latest gadgets, but for connoisseurs of rarity, a piece of unmodified red diamond jewelry could be an alluring addition to their collection.
- In the realm of science, understanding the formation of rare, unmodified red diamonds is a challenge for geologists, requiring deeper insight into Earth’s mantle conditions that produce these extraordinary dazzling gems.
