Faceted diamonds are the most popular type of stone for diamonds and are mainly seen in engagement rings and claw-shaped settings. Not all diamonds are created the same way. However, when most people think about the differences between diamonds, they are more likely to consider the 4 C's (size, clarity, color and carats) before classifying them. Is your diamond round or square? Is it clean or included? What color is the diamond? But these are classification attributes of diamonds and not types of diamonds.
Lab-grown diamonds, also known as artificial diamonds, are a species of growing trend that has developed more and more in recent years. The reason is that it is a technological product like any other “device” (with no intention of disrespecting it). As such, as technology evolved, these diamonds became increasingly cheaper to manufacture. Although before the prices of lab-grown diamonds were 30% lower than normal equivalent diamonds, today they are between 50 and 60% cheaper and some say that in just a few years they will be even 70% cheaper and more.
Of all the types of diamonds, type IIa diamonds are the rarest, most valuable and, therefore, the most sought after by collectors and investors. In fact, this type represents only 1 percent of all diamonds, so they are very valuable and, obviously, a superior option for investment. The reason why these stones are so exceptional is that they contain very little nitrogen or nothing at all within the crystal network, so they don't easily absorb shortwave light. Sometimes, these stones are called Golconda diamonds in honor of the Indian mines that produced some of the best gemstones of the 16th and 17th centuries.
For customers looking for the perfect diamond, type IIa, with color D, without fluorescence and IF or VVS1 clarity is ideal. Many of the most famous diamonds in history have been of this type. The world's largest carved diamond, the Cullinan, is an example. The Koh-i-Noor and its sister diamond, the legendary 45.52 carat Hope Diamond, the Graff Pink (formerly the most expensive diamond in the world) and the De Beer Millennium Star are also type IIa.
In addition, the 33.19-carat Elizabeth Taylor Asscher cut diamond, which Richard Burton bought in 1968 for his wife's ring, is of this type. This type is not as common as type Ia; in fact, it represents less than. In these stones, individual nitrogen atoms, rather than clusters, are scattered throughout the crystal network. Because they are scattered, a lot of visible light is absorbed at the blue end of the spectrum, resulting in an intense color, usually yellow, orange or brown, according to the GIA.
Real Canarian diamonds are a perfect example of this. In some cases, yellowish green diamonds can contain this atomic formation. Type IIb is also extremely rare, since it represents only 0.1 percent of diamonds and is therefore very valuable. For some, the blue tone can be a visual advantage.
These are highly competitive suppliers that offer some of the lowest prices in the world and you can get a practical idea of whether a diamond is relatively cheap or expensive. While most diamonds may appear “colorless” to the untrained eye, they usually have a nuance that a diamond expert will see immediately. In commerce, they are sometimes referred to as “Golconda diamonds” and are known for their D color, lack of fluorescence and high clarity. Type I diamonds as a whole are the most common and are known for their characteristic fluorescence, as well as for the absorption of infrared and ultraviolet light.
Less than 0.1% of natural diamonds fall into this category and contain only boron (and not nitrogen) impurities in their composition. Less than 1% of all diamonds that have been found had no inclusions and can be referred to as flawless (FL) or internally flawless (IF). These diamonds are more abundant, popular and affordable than larger diamonds, which can come at incredible prices. While many diamonds appear colorless or white, they can actually have subtle yellow or brown hues that can be detected by comparing diamonds side by side.
Keep in mind that you can have a high-carat diamond valued lower than a low-carat diamond if the other qualities of that diamond are different. And unlike a type 1 diamond, in which the color dye comes from nitrogen or boron, type IIa diamonds obtain their color from the plastic deformation of their crystal network during their formation process. In this article, dive with us into the mysterious world of diamonds and discover more information about the types of diamonds. As for types 1b, 2a and 2b, the value of a diamond would depend on its color, carat weight and how clear it is.
Type IIa diamonds contain almost no measurable impurities (neither nitrogen nor boron) and represent approximately 1% of all-natural diamonds. The classification system for diamond types separates stones according to their physical and chemical properties. The cutting process affects the brilliance, sparkle, sparkle and intensity of the diamond. .
