Red Diamonds - Fancy Colored Buying Guide

What are red diamonds?

Red diamonds are a fancy colored type of diamonds that are colored red by rare occurrence in its atomic structure. When a red diamond is retrieved from underground and light is allowed to pass through the irregular lattice, the unusual bending of the light causes the diamonds to reflect a ruby-like color.

Are you intrigued by the fascinating world of red diamonds, the world's rarest gemstones? Have you ever pondered over questions such as "how rare are red diamonds?" or "where are red diamonds found?" Perhaps, you've found yourself wondering about their market worth and exclaimed, "how much are red diamonds worth?" We've crafted this comprehensive article just for you! It dives deep into the origins, histories, and astonishing properties of these rare and beautiful diamonds.

We reveal the scarcity of red diamonds, examine the limited locations where they're unearthed, and highlight their substantial market value. So, come join us on this captivating journey through the world of the enigmatic and elusive red diamonds.

Origin and History of Red Diamond

There are a few things you should think about before purchasing a red diamond if you are in the market for one. While red diamond engagement rings are a beautiful option, they are the most costly color diamonds worldwide due to their high rarity. Red diamonds are within the fancy color group, including diamonds with a yellow undertone, and those even rarer than white diamonds. Red diamonds are also among the rarest varieties of fancy-color diamonds.

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Red diamonds do not get their color from impurities like nitrogen in their composition, unlike other Fancy Diamonds. Researchers are still debating why the red diamond has that hue. Some geologists think that the red color results from atomic changes throughout the diamond's trip to the Earth's surface, a process known as plastic deformation. The intense pressure the diamonds underwent is likely to have affected their molecular structure, much like it did with pink diamonds. According to this hypothesis, more pressure would result in a deeper shade of red.

What Are Red Diamonds?

The most uncommon type of colored diamond is red. Only a few diamonds with a completely red color are discovered worldwide every year. The Argyle mine in Western Australia's East Kimberley, slated to close in 2020, has been the main supplier of those Red Diamonds. The gliding planes in the diamond crystal, along which carbon atoms have slightly been displaced, give most Red Diamonds their color.

Red Diamonds belong to the group of fancy-colored diamonds and are one of its most enigmatic hues. They are one of the rarest hues and command the highest per-carat values in the world, making them highly prized by experts in colored diamonds. The biggest red diamond ever discovered weighs just 5.11 carats. Therefore, their eye-catching hue rather than their outstanding size garners attention.

Red Diamonds, like all other naturally occurring fancy-colored diamonds, have a presence of color due to natural changes that took place during the diamond's development beneath the earth's surface. Each hue of a diamond is the consequence of a certain element that causes that color to occur. Red Diamonds share all other characteristics of diamonds, such as their strength and hardness, with more well-known colorless diamonds.

Where Are Red Diamonds Originated?

Rio Tinto's Argyle mine in Australia, famous for its pink, blue, violet, and brown diamonds, produces the bulk of Red Diamonds. Red Diamonds, however, are also discovered in Russian, Indian, and Brazilian diamond mines. Red Diamonds only develop in certain localities and not in other known diamond mines worldwide, such as Canada, Botswana, Sierra Leone, or South Africa, for some reason related to the geological formations beneath those areas. No pure red diamonds were submitted for grading over 30 years, indicating their rarity. The GIA lab evaluates more diamonds than any other lab in the world.

A few Red Diamonds each year began turning up at the GIA laboratory when the Argyle Mine, the primary source of Red Diamonds, went online in December 1985. Argyle produced less than 20 carats of fancy Red Diamonds in the thirty years between 1987 and 2017—from the world's top red diamond source.

The subdued red diamond may be the rarest of all diamond colors. Less than 20 notable red diamond examples exist. The "1 carat Halphen Red," made public in the 18th century, was the first red diamond discovered.

In reality, the Hancock Red, which originated in Brazil and measured 0.95 carats, was the most well-known red diamond. It was engraved on a globe that was given Warren Hancock's name. It went for $926,000 at Christie's public auction house in 1987.

The red diamond is often mined in South Africa, Australia, and Brazil. The well-known material red diamond amplifies and intensely absorbs the wearer's thoughts. The head chakra is also opened. It offers sacramental love, tranquility, simplicity, faith, and assurance. In actuality, no emotion has the power to corrupt its pure mental essence.

What Is The Meaning Of A Red Diamond?

Numerous stones, especially diamonds with flaming red coloring, might be understood to have deeper significance. Most of these interpretations have a lengthy history, such as the one that a yellow diamond ring represents: the beginning or continuation of a wonderful life while in love.

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When employed as an engagement ring, these uncommon Red Diamonds convey one's comprehension, dedication, and commitment to developing and expanding with their spouse since they convey a powerful message of eternal love.

These flaming diamonds may also stand for intense beauty, passion, confidence, and deep and eternal love. They are also linked to a clear mind, energy, and good fortune.

Most people believe that red and pink diamonds are not the same. In actuality, what sets them apart is the intensity of the colors. The diamond will be given a pink color grade if the color saturation is less intense. A medium to dark tone and intense color saturation are characteristics of a red diamond. Only diamonds with saturation levels greater than Fancy Vivid Pink and Fancy Deep Pink are granted the moniker "Fancy Red."

While specialists are still debating the precise reason for their color, some geologists think the red hue results from atomic structural changes when the diamond travels to the Earth's surface (a process known as plastic deformation). Like pink diamonds, Red Diamonds are subjected to extreme pressure, which impacts their molecular structure.

It is believed that the collision's high temperatures and shear stress caused the diamond crystals to distort plastically. Carbon atoms are slightly displaced along glide planes perpendicular to the crystals' octahedral orientation, causing the deformation. The diamonds selectively absorb or transmit certain wavelengths of light due to these planes of displacement, which also affect how light travels through them. 

These glide planes typically result in a selective transmission of brown diamonds. Less frequently, red light is selectively transmitted by the glide planes. When there are not enough gliders, a small quantity of red light transmission causes the diamond to seem pink.

Wearing Red Diamonds, a sign of power, richness, and bravery, may make a strong statement about your sense of fashion and individuality. Over the years, various meanings have been associated with Red Diamonds, from power and success to love and passion. They are regarded as a symbol of protection and guardianship in various cultures. They stand for rank, riches, and power in various cultures.

The reason why diamonds become red has eluded GIA experts who have studied them for decades despite having access to the best tools. According to GIA, the color's ancestry may be associated with pink diamonds. Depending on the color deficiency, developing "pink and red" diamonds in the soil occurs differently. Although the Gemological Institute of America states this is not quite certain, twisted alignment in the carbon atoms is the primary reason for their hue. 

Why Do Red Diamonds Cost So Much?

Because they are so uncommon, these blazing diamonds are very valuable. A red diamond's composition, devoid of chemical contaminants, enables it to display a distinctive coloring. However, because they are the purest and most uncommon of all fancy-colored diamonds, their price per carat is far greater than other gemstones. There are lab-created diamonds with blazing red undertones that are far more reasonably priced. Another gemstone that comes in a variety of crimson tones is the sapphire.

Undoubtedly, colorless diamonds are the most prevalent kind. However, fancy-colored diamonds are frequently the most treasured. Diamonds of fancy colors are uncommon, with red being the most uncommon. There are just thirty completely pure Red Diamonds, which would surprise you. 

Most of them do not even measure one carat in weight. Each year, miners only retrieve a few numbers. In mines in Indonesia, India, and South Africa, they are uncommon. Argyle, which shut down in November 2020, was the main producer. The mine produced fewer than 20 carats of Red Diamonds over 30 years, from 1987 to 2017.

Fun fact: In the past 30 years, no single "red" diamond has received a GIA assessment.

In the retail sector, heat treatment or impurities characterize the majority of Red Diamonds. You must ask yourself, "How can you have it in your jewel collection if it is so rare?" Choosing a treated stone is the simplest solution. Additionally uncommon are treated stones, particularly Red Diamonds.

Obtaining these fancy-colored diamonds is challenging. Our dependable vendors have specialist equipment and diamond enhancing and cutting expertise, along with years of market experience and seasoned gem professionals. They can seldom ever provide us with red gems, however. 

Red diamonds—even ones with changing colors—do not come to market frequently since so few of them exist. When they do, they fetch prices that easily exceed $1 million per carat, much more than nearly any other kind of diamond. 

A 1.21-carat fancy orangy red diamond was sold at Heritage auctions in 2022 for more than $1.2 million per carat, a staggering price for a stone of its size, especially given its changing hue. Investors most frequently buy red diamonds due to their high worth and history of steadily growing prices.

Science Of Red Diamond

The mineral family of oxides and carbonates includes red diamonds. This mineral category is made up of molecules with carbon and oxygen atoms. The Mohs scale gives red diamonds a hardness rating of 10. The highest score on the scale is given to diamonds in general, indicating how robust and durable they are.

In terms of color, red diamonds stand out as well. Due to trace elements in their atomic structure, these diamonds appear red, as their name suggests. These trace elements give off a reddish tint when they absorb particular light wavelengths.

How are Red Diamonds Formed?

Unlike colored diamonds, red diamonds do not have chemical impurities like boron and nitrogen throughout the production process. Since red diamonds are made entirely of pure carbon, these special color diamonds are created without any imperfections. However, where does the diamond's red color originate from? The diamond's red color results from a rare atomic structural distortion. 

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Most diamond specialists agree that the red color of the diamond results from a lattice flaw that reveals stress lamination during the production process. Beautiful red colors are revealed by the bending light that enters the diamond's distorted structure.

Metaphysical Properties of Red Diamonds

Red is frequently linked to strength, fervor, and love. The same is true for this lovely fancy-colored diamond. The wearer's pleasant feelings are reported to rise when Red Diamonds are present. It offers sacrificial love, tranquility, simplicity, assurance, and faith. Since it is connected to the head chakra, it guarantees that no emotion may contaminate the metal's purity.

How Should You Wear Red Diamonds?

Red Diamonds may be used in engagement rings. Red diamond engagement rings are increasingly gaining popularity. Every year, more tri-stone princess cut and solitaire round and square cut red diamond engagement rings are available in jewelry stores nationwide. Celebrities have long had a propensity for purchasing and wearing distinctive jewelry, and in recent years, red diamond engagement rings have become increasingly common on the red carpet.

Jewelry with red diamonds is ideal for Valentine's Day and anniversaries. On the market, milestone wedding anniversary rings are getting increasingly well-liked. Additionally popular are red diamond tennis bracelets and necklaces. Additionally, red diamond earrings are pretty lovely. 

In addition to black and red jewelry, red diamonds have grown in popularity. The popularity of strictly red and black bracelets and necklaces is rising quickly, as are red and black stones that alternate with clear and white diamonds. 

Proper Care of Red Diamonds

To prevent scratches and abrasion, keeping diamonds away from hot environments, strong chemicals, and rough surfaces is critical. Red Diamonds should be kept in a container or soft fabric that prevents movement and prevents them from rubbing against other jewelry. A soft, wet cloth should always be used instead of abrasive cleaners or solutions when cleaning it. 

When cleaning the diamonds, paying attention to their settings is crucial since, if one is not cautious, the diamonds in a setting might be destroyed. It is important to regularly take the jewelry to a reputable jeweler for maintenance and examination.

Red Diamond Properties

Red Diamonds are thought to promote both physical and emotional healing in the user. These stones are supposed to have the ability to assist the wearer in accessing inner wisdom and understanding, as well as to instill a sense of peace and harmony.

Red Diamonds are believed to be helpful for people dealing with mental imbalances since they might lessen depressive and anxious sensations. Red Diamonds help expand the heart and promote a stronger connection to the divine spiritually.

Like most fancy color diamonds, these diamonds come in one pure color, fancy Red, or with secondary colors, such as purple, brownish, and orangey. For instance, in a "fancy orangey red" diamond, Red is the primary color, while orange is the secondary color. Unlike most other color options, Red cannot be a secondary color in diamonds. 

Most naturally colored diamonds come in various intensities, including intense, vivid, and mild. 'Fancy bright pink' or 'Fancy light yellow' diamonds are two examples of this, although only at the fancy red degree of intensity. Due to these factors, "fancy red" is the most precious and rarest color.

Value and Price Behavior of Red Diamond

Only twenty to thirty genuine red diamonds—red diamonds without any other colors—are now known to exist. One of the primary reasons red diamonds may fetch such high prices per carat is this. For instance, the Hancock Red diamond, purchased for $13,500 in 1956, went for $880,000 at auction in 1987. This diamond weighed 0.95 carats and was worth $926,000 per carat in 1987.

Due to their scarcity, diamonds are treasured all over the world. Already one of the most uncommon things, a gem-quality diamond is very unusual. A mainly red diamond is one of the most uncommon colors of all colored diamonds. "Predominantly red" denotes a color where red is the only secondary hue present—purple is not included. 

Red diamonds are so uncommon that according to GIA records, from 1957 to 1987, a total of 30 years, there was no mention of a GIA lab report filed for a diamond with "red" as the lone descriptor. Given the volume of diamonds that GIA's nine global laboratories evaluate each year and that many of the most well-known colored diamonds in the world have been graded by GIA, that is an amazing statement.

Light Red Diamonds Are Pink

Many people are unaware that red is the same hue as pink and red diamonds. The degree of color intensity separates "red diamonds" from "pink diamonds." A diamond will be called a "pink" diamond during the color grading if it has weak to moderate saturation and a light to medium tone. Only diamonds with strong color saturation and a medium to dark tone are given the moniker "red." Only diamonds with saturation levels higher than those of Fancy Vivid pink and Fancy Deep pink are granted the moniker "Fancy red."

Many of those same individuals might mistakenly believe that a fancy vivid pink or fancy deep pink is a "red diamond" upon first inspection. More people than usual find the grading to be rigorous. Studying the Gemological Institute of America's color reference tables for colored diamonds is the most effective approach to understanding this. 

A diamond with a very mild red tint might be accurately referred to as a "pink diamond" by many individuals unaware of the methods used to grade colored diamonds. Since childhood, most people have been trained to refer to things with a very pale red tint as pink.

Famous Red Diamonds

The fact that there are 4 renowned red diamonds says much about their high-profile nature, given the scarcity of red diamonds. Famous red diamonds stand out among all the diamond colors because they are very small by comparison! They are famous for their exorbitant cost and vibrant color for their size. It is fascinating to remember that there have only ever been 5 red diamonds larger than 5 carats.

Given the scarcity of red diamonds, the fact that there are four notable ones indicates greatly how high profile they are. Famous red diamonds stand out among all diamond hues because they are not huge by conventional standards. They are renowned for their exorbitant cost and the vibrant color of their little stature.

The Moussaieff Red

The Moussaieff Red, formerly known as the "Red Shield," received its current moniker in 2001 after being purchased by the Moussaieff diamond firm. The biggest red diamond in the world, weighing 5.11 carats, is also the most valuable red diamond ever sold. A farmer in Brazil found it in the Abaetezinho River in the 1990s. 

The Moussaieff Red was on display at the Splendor of Diamonds show at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C., in 2005, along with four other fancy color diamonds and one well-known colorless diamond.

The Moussaieff Red is the biggest known red diamond, weighing 5.11 carats. A farmer discovered the rough in an alluvial deposit in western Minas Gerais, Brazil, and it was utilized to cut the Moussaieff Red. The William Goldberg Diamond Company purchased 13.9 carats of rough in the middle of the 1990s.

The biggest red diamond in the world is the Moussaieff Red. It was unearthed by a Brazilian farmer in the middle of the 20th century and weighs 5.11 carats. Prior to cutting, it weighed 13.9 carats. The value exceeds $20 million. The Moussaieff Red Diamond is the biggest red diamond in the world. It has a trilliant cut, is 5.11 carats, and is internally perfect. It was initially 13.9 carats when a farmer found it in Brazil in the middle of the 20th century. 

After being purchased by the Moussaieff jewelry company, the beautiful ruby-red diamond's name was changed from "Red Shield" to "Moussaieff Red Diamond."  The stone is currently positioned as the focal point of a platinum ring and is valued at over $15 million.

The Rob Red

This 0.59-carat Fancy Red pear-shaped diamond with VS1 clarity, known as The Rob Red, belongs to Mr. Robert Bogel. Stephen Hofer made the following statement:

For this reason, some consider its color grading to truly be Fancy Intense Red despite that color category not strictly existing. "the most intense and purest red diamond recorded visually and instrumentally to date in the world." This diamond is a little 0.59-carat red pear-shaped diamond. According to experts, it is the clearest and most saturated red diamond ever discovered.

Most likely, one of the alluvial deposits in one of Brazil's diamond mining regions, including Minas, Gerais, Bahia, or Mato Grasso, is where the "Rob Red" originated. Mr. Robert Bogel, a dealer in colored diamonds, had spent the majority of his formative years in Brazil's diamond mining regions looking for rough colored diamonds. 

By some strange coincidence, the Rob Red diamond, which had its origins there, had now come looking for him, and he was the proud owner of this unusual stone, which served as a symbolic reminder of his time there in the past. 

The Hancock Red

The Hancock Red, a 0.95-carat Brazilian fancy red diamond, is an exceptional round brilliant diamond with a stunning red hue. It was initially purchased in 1956 for about $13,500 by a rancher and diamond collector from Montana named Warren Hancock. The diamond, perhaps one of the best diamond investments in history, brought $880,000 when it was auctioned at Christie's NY in 1987. It was the most costly diamond to ever be sold at auction at the time.

One of the most well-known red diamonds in the world is the Hancock Red. The Hancock Red, which bears the name of renowned collector Mr. Warren Hancock, is well-known for its uncommon purplish red hue more than its size. Only twenty to thirty real red diamonds, most of which are less than half a carat, are known to exist due to the rarity of red diamonds. 

Because the red diamond, like the pink diamond, gets its distinctive color from flaws in the crystal lattice rather than from impurities like nitrogen and boron, it is unique and in great demand.

The De Young Red

The round brilliant 5.03-carat Fancy Brownish Red diamond bears Sydney de Young, a Boston jeweler, as its namesake. The stone, which was believed to be a garnet, was purchased by his business as part of an estate sale. De Young sent the stone to be analyzed after seeing that it appeared rather clean, confirming his initial beliefs that it was a diamond. De Young gave the diamond to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C., as a bequest after possessing it for a long time.

The third biggest red diamond known to exist, this lovely round stone measures 5.03 carats. Fun fact: Sydney DeYoung erroneously purchased the stone at a flea market, believing it to be a red garnet when he first developed DeYoung Red. In December 1987, the jeweler finally gave the diamond to the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. The stone has no chemical impurities and a rich crimson color with a hint of brown. The DeYoung Red Diamond has facets on the crown that are split horizontally, giving it a modified round brilliant cut. It is a genuinely unique instance of a stunning red diamond.

Red Diamond and the Chakras

Diamonds of a red hue aid in purifying and eliminating tenacity and lack that originated in the root chakra. This is also regarded as a grounding essence to assist individuals in maintaining motivation for their goals. Another viewpoint on this Red Diamond holds that it attracts luck. 

Due to its capacity to remove early pre-verbal panic attacks and anxiety from the root chakra, it is also wealthy and beneficial for such persons or situations. This gem will give the user some hidden qualities and give certain people a happy and comfortable existence. Finally, it will help the wearer have better sexual control.

Diamonds are regarded as great healers in all their forms. They should be employed in essential combinations to eliminate obstructions or negativity that can interfere with vibrational cures. These elixirs' effects are concentrated mostly in the upper chakras of the head. 

The other chakras are impacted by the colored gems as well. The first chakra, for instance, is balanced by red and black diamonds, whereas the second and third chakras are orange and yellow, the fourth chakra by pink and green, the fifth chakra by blue, and the higher chakras by white.

A diamond elixir should be employed when dealing with individuals or animals feeling anxiety, insecurity, or poor self-esteem. It encourages mental clarity and positions one to think at the highest spiritual levels. This extremely potent elixir will clean the aetheric, cerebral, and meridians. White, pink, black, green, grey, blue, orange, and yellow diamonds are among the most common gemstones.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know more, you are prepared to find the ideal red diamond for a loved one or yourself. You know the high rarity and lengthy and intriguing history of Red Diamonds. You know their mineral group, degree of hardness, distinguishing characteristics, and other differences. You also understand the meaning of the diamond and how to properly take care of it. 

The amazing red diamond is incredibly uncommon and breathtakingly gorgeous, making it a unique creation. In light of this, a rare gem-quality red diamond is considered a wise investment. Another undeniable benefit of red diamond stud earrings is that they have a refined appearance that allows them to be worn for formal events and everyday situations, including at work.

Even though Red Diamonds are not a birthstone, you now know their metaphysical qualities. You have all the information required to choose the ideal buy. Therefore, do not hesitate and get those stunning Red Diamonds; you will not regret it. It will undoubtedly be a lifetime investment that you will not forget.

About Author
My name is Ana Crystal and I’ve been a crystal enthusiast for as long as a I remember myself.

My passion started when I was a kid and grew into a full time thing. I’m currently writing a book on crystals, running a non-profit initiative to help ethical sourcing of crystals and helping out local miner communities.

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