Pink Diamonds

Before scientists discovered where fancy diamonds got their brilliant colors, there were many theories. One diamond cutter, Briefel, stated that diamonds got their color from the sky. If the sky was blue when they were formed than they retained that color. If it was night time when the diamond was formed than the diamond received no color at all. This theory would mean that pink diamonds got their color from a pink sky probably during a beautiful sunset.

The theory above is a romantic one, but unfortunately it is not an accurate one. Fancy diamonds, including pink diamonds, do not get their color according to light they are reflecting at the time. Instead fancy diamonds get their color through trace amounts of other elements. These are technically impurities in the diamond. However, pink diamonds are actually rarer than pure diamonds and are usually found in much smaller sizes.

Pink diamonds are a type II diamond meaning that, unlike type I diamonds that get their color from nitrogen atoms, pink diamonds contain very few nitrogen atoms. Instead, their color seems to come from their structural impurities. These impurities seem to be similar to the impurities found in brown diamonds. In fact, some diamonds are found that contain both pink and brown colors.

Grading pink diamonds is a little different than grading pure diamonds. When grading fancy diamonds you must also take their color into consideration. This is done by considering factors such as the hue, tone, and saturation of the color. The Gemological Institute of America or GIA, is the institute that has set forth these standards for grading fancy diamonds including pink diamonds.

Pink diamonds used to be very rare. Although they are still rare and tend to be found in smaller sizes than pure diamonds, they are becoming more popular. This is because of the Argyle mine in Australia. This mine has been producing a good deal of pink diamonds. In fact, the Argyle mine produces around 90% of the pink diamonds being mined. The Rio Tinto Group is the mining company that owns the Argyle mine. This company also owns diamond mines in Canada and Zimbabwe.

We have already noted that pink diamonds are fairly rare. However, pink diamonds that are huge in size are even rarer. The Steinmetz Pink is a famous diamond that is 59.6 carats. This is even larger than the famous Hope Diamond which is only 45.52 carats. The color is rated a Fancy Vivid Pink by the GIA. It is not known who originally owned the Steinmetz Pink diamond or where the diamond came from. However, it is the largest known pink diamond and took the Steinmetz group almost two years to cut. Their slow pace was a precaution to keep anything from happening to the precious gem during the process.

Pink Diamonds may not be pure diamonds, but it is clear that they have much more character. Although the color may not come from the reflection of a setting sun, the color can invoke the same feelings that come from gazing upon such a beauty.

http://www.emporia.edu/earthsci/amber/go340/students/flax/fancy.htm
http://www.gia.edu/microsite/15773/grading_fancycolored_diamonds.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steinmetz_Pink_Diamond
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_color