Did you know that the Cullinan Diamond is a whopping 3,100 carats and is worth more than $400 million on the open market? Diamonds are a wonderful way to make someone feel special or to demonstrate your love for that person through a priceless gift. One of the worst mistakes that you can make when you’re looking at diamond jewelry is to assume that all diamonds are the same.
Knowing the different types of diamonds that you can purchase will allow you to make an informed decision, especially when comparing diamond cuts and diamond colors. The good news is that you’ve found the right guide to learning about real diamonds, factory-grown diamonds, and more.
Keep reading this article to learn more today!
Mined Diamonds
Many people believe that all diamonds are natural, but the reality is that many diamonds come from mines. Mined diamonds are the go-to choice for many people who are looking for engagement rings. These diamonds come from deep in the Earth’s crust, and they result from intense pressure and heat.
If you’re looking for a rare option for diamond jewelry then it’s best to go with a mined diamond. The mined diamond industry took off in Africa in the late 1800s, with 90 percent of the diamond supply around the world coming from 50 large mines. Still, mined diamonds are the most valuable types of diamonds that money can buy.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
Advances in technology have allowed humans to start growing diamonds in labs. This is a great alternative if you want the clarity and brilliance of a diamond without breaking the bank during the purchasing process. Despite getting grown in a lab, these diamonds are still true diamonds.
The only thing that sets a lab-grown diamond apart from a mined diamond is the origin of where it came from. One method for creating a diamond in a lab is the High Pressure, High-Temperature method. This method mimics the environment in which mined diamonds develop.
The other process that you can use to create diamonds in a lab is to use Chemical Vapor Deposition. This process allows you to grow diamonds from a gas mixture that features hydrocarbon. Both processes take between two and three weeks to produce a complete diamond that you can use to create diamond jewelry.
Raw Diamonds
Raw diamonds are different from lab-grown and mined diamonds in the sense that they haven’t gotten cut or polished yet. This is what a diamond looks like in its purest form, though you won’t find diamonds in this state at Houston Diamond Buyers. These diamonds are likely to look less clear and more cloudy.
They also feature edges that are rough and jagged compared to the different diamond cuts that you’ll encounter when you start shopping around. Despite the lack of polish, these diamonds are gaining popularity when it comes to engagement rings in the United States.
It creates a rustic appearance that many people find endearing when it comes to the best diamond jewelry. If you’re looking for something unique then you can’t go wrong with raw diamond jewelry.
Natural-Colored Diamonds
Natural-colored diamonds stand out because most diamond jewelry uses colorless diamonds. The fact is that many diamonds have color to them, and you’re sure to find plenty of colors and patterns that stand out to you. Yellow diamonds are gaining popularity, but you should also look at getting salt and pepper-speckled diamonds for your loved one.
The most common color that you’ll encounter when you look at natural diamonds is brown diamonds. That said, you’ll find pink, green, blue, red, and purple diamonds that occur naturally. Keep in mind that many of those colors are scarce, making them even more valuable on the open market.
The causes of these colors are impurities within the diamonds and changes on a molecular level. It’s important that you don’t get colored diamonds mixed up with different gemstones that are famous for their colors. Blue diamonds are still real diamonds, and they’re quite different than sapphires.
Don’t expect to find many colored diamonds in stores when you start shopping for diamond jewelry. True colored diamonds happen less than one percent of the time.
Color-Treated Diamonds
Now that you know about naturally occurring colored diamonds, you need to learn about color-treated diamonds. They may look similar but these two types of diamonds are quite different. It’s simple to get a clear, colorless diamond treated so that you can get your favorite color for your diamond jewelry pieces.
Color treatments are great if you want to create a unique piece, but it’s a process that only gets used to clear diamonds. You can improve the look of your diamond without taking away from its value when you use a color treatment.
The best part is that only a professional will have the ability to tell the difference between a natural-colored diamond and a color-treated diamond. You can rest easy and not lose sleep over imposter syndrome!
Simulated Diamonds
Simulated diamonds are the most unique diamond option listed in this article. They might look similar to mined and lab-grown diamonds, but they have a unique chemical makeup. This is a great option if you’re looking for an alternative to true diamond jewelry for your loved one.
They’re not quite as valuable as diamonds, but they look quite similar and offer great brilliance. Still, some people will see a difference between a mined or lab-grown diamond and a simulated diamond. Cubic zirconia is a common option when it comes to simulated diamonds, as is moissanite.
Now You Know the Main Types of Diamonds
Exploring the many types of diamonds is a great way to find the best diamond jewelry for your loved one. Mined diamonds and lab-grown diamonds are the best options if you’re set on getting colorless diamonds that offer great brilliance. You should also get colored diamonds and color-treated diamonds, as these real diamonds create a unique appearance.
Check out the rest of our blog content if you’re craving more motivational and engaging articles like this!
