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Champagne diamonds are colored diamonds which usually occur naturally in just a few locations around the entire world. Mined principally in the Argyle mine in Australia, these diamonds are generally light brown diamonds, or maybe yellowish diamonds with a tint of brown. Like all colored diamonds, their hue originates from a selection of enclosed impurities. Nonetheless, in contrast to various other fancies, champagne diamonds are Type II colored diamonds.

Type I colored diamonds are diamonds whose coloring is produced from external non-diamond sources, particularly enclosed impurities, such as nitrogen plus boron, or even natural radiation. Nitrogen is the most often found impurity and creates Yellowish as well as Orange diamonds. Boron generates fancy Blues. Natural radiation on the other hand, typically produces green-colored diamonds.

Type II fancies are created whenever there is a problem with the crystalline structure of the diamond at the time of its creation. For example, excessive pressures could trigger deformation of the crystal lattice, dispersing light and creating Reds, Pinks, Browns and Champagne diamonds.

Champagne diamonds range in shade from a pale hay brown to a rich deep cognac brown. They are specifically prized for their dazzling brown color, which can certainly also have flashes of gold, red, copper and peach. Champagnes are very lovely gemstones!

The Earth Star and the Golden Jubilee are two of the best known Champagne diamonds. Much more than fifty percent of the 248.9 carats of the diamond rough of the Earth Star was lost at the time it was faceted into a magnificent 111.59 carat cognac colored Pear shape. It is still one of the most significant diamonds of its kind anywhere. But the most important faceted diamond is even now reckoned to be the Golden Jubilee diamond which has a yellowish brown Champagne color and is widely regarded as being the most gorgeous diamond ever.

When they were initially uncovered in the Argyle mine in Australia, Champagnes were thought to be numerous. They were undoubtedly a good deal more plentiful than other sorts of fancy colors of diamonds! And because they are normally significantly more affordable than white colored diamonds, Champagnes continue to make an easily affordable alternative to white diamonds. Having said that, this situation may not last.

Since their discovery, the Argyle mine has continued to be the most important source of Champagnes for the worldwide jewelry markets. In actual fact more than 95% of Champagnes available around the world come from the Argyle mine. Nevertheless, resources are unsurprisingly declining. And because no other source of Champagne diamonds has been discovered, but the desire for Champagnes is still growing, these wonderful diamonds are becoming less available.

Which certainly means their prices will have to climb shortly! Click here to check out our selection of fancies including champagne colored diamonds.

Blue diamonds have been objects of desire since their discovery.  Natural blue diamonds are so rare that they are amongst the rarest and most expensive diamonds to be found. Natural blue diamonds can be found in India and in South Africa amongst other places, but they are so rare that very few professional jewelers will ever see a natural blue in their lifetime! 

In fact only around twenty are found annually in the whole of South Africa, and that is all carat weights.  Large carat weight natural blues are found even less often.

Indeed their rarity and desirability is so fabled that they have even made their way into Hollywood blockbusters!  Who will forget the moment when the fabulous “Coeur de la Mer”, Heart of the Ocean, was placed around the neck of Kate Winslet in the Award winning film, Titanic?  This was of course supposed to represent the Hope diamond, which was never on the Titanic in real life!

The Hope diamond is said to have been stolen from the eye of the sculpted idol of the Hindu goddess Sitarom.  The Goddess became angry and placed a curse on the diamond saying that it would cause the premature death of anyone owning the diamond or even touching it.  Whilst the story of the original theft from the statue of the Hindu goddess is now believed to have been fabricated by Western authors in the Victorian era, and along with it the story of the curse, it is still a brave person indeed who will touch the gemstone directly!

Being so rare, large carat weight natural blue diamonds are near priceless.  They are typically found in the Crown Jewels of Royal families across the globe or in National Museums, rather than being owned by an individual.

Today, the blue diamonds which are available for everyone to buy have typically been color enhanced by irradiation and high temperatures to bring out a stronger hue.  This has made them more affordable and has resulted in a soaring popularity.  And as the demand for this gorgeous gemstone continues to grow, it still outstrips supply.  This makes blue diamond jewelry very special indeed. 

The color can range from pale blue to the stunning blue found in the tail of a peacock. Often sold loose because of their rarity, blue diamonds are usually set into white metal, such as white gold or platinum.  Platinum is a particularly apt setting because, like a blue diamond, it is very hard and rare. Blue diamonds look wonderful as Round Brilliants but also suit cuts with large open facets such as the Princess, Trilliant and Cushion, which make the most of the color.

For great designs and a range of affordable blue diamonds, check out our selections by clicking on the links.