While conventional white diamonds are valued for their superior hardness, these gemstones are cherished for their variety of colors, from soft champagne and sunny yellow to vibrant blue, green, pink, and even red. The colors don’t arise from treatments or enhancements in the case of many fine examples; they are simply a result of rare and exciting natural processes that occur over millions of years.
In addition, each color is a result of trace elements or structural issues during the formation of the diamond. Yellow tones are the result of nitrogen, blue is the result of boron, while great pressures can cause the diamond to take on pink or red hues. The rarity of these natural colors, especially earth-mined colored diamonds, is a big part of their appeal and consequently their value.