If the words ‘contemporary and unconventional’ are typically used to describe your sense of style, then the brown diamond is definitely a gem that you should cheque out.
Join us today as we explain the formation of this wondrous jewel and discuss the different things that you need to keep in mind when buying a brown diamond.
Quick History
The brown diamond is one of the most commonly mined fancy colour diamonds present today.
Unlike other fancy colour diamonds, the history of this gem can be traced back to second-century Rome. It is said that the Romans were extremely fond of this jewel and would consistently wear them in different types of ring designs. Unfortunately, as time went on, the demand for this stone died, and it was only used for industrial purposes.
This changed in the 1980s when scores of brown diamonds were found during the creation of the Argyle mines. The Australians were enamored by the stone’s rich, chocolatey hue and decided to reintroduce it to the public under more evocative names, like cognac and champagne, for example.
Brown Diamonds Today
Bold yet sophisticated, this jewel is greatly desired by people all over the globe. The unique earthy colour of the brown diamond has made it a popular symbol of humility, harmony, stability, confidence, and dependability. This, along with its superior durability, has caused the stone to gain quite a large fanbase that doesn’t seem to be declining anytime soon.
How Is It Formed?
Brown diamonds are created deep within the earth’s crust through the modification of graphite – a type of crystalline carbon. This happens when the element is exposed to extreme heat and pressure over an extended period of time. When the amount of pressure present within the earth’s crust exceeds a certain limit, it causes movement in the diamond’s chemical structure. This creates irregularities within the stone’s crystal lattice which, in turn, results in the gem’s distinct hue. Alternatively, the stone’s colour can also be caused by the nitrogen, hydrogen, and nickel present within its structure.
Once formed, these gems are typically transported through volcanic pipes to the surface of the earth, where they are mined.
Factors You Should Consider When Buying Brown Diamonds
1. Colour
This factor greatly contributes to this gem’s overall value.
The most sought-after stones have a medium to dark body tone with a warm, golden-brown to reddish-brown hue. Typically, the richer the hue the more expensive the gem will be.
2. Clarity
It is important to note that the presence of visible flaws will greatly bring down the value of this gem.
However, the clarity of this jewel holds less weight than its colour. Therefore, brown diamonds that showcase an intense hue with minimal inclusions (not visible to the naked eye) are considered valuable.
3. Cut/Shape
The brown diamond is generally cut to emphasize its colour. The round shape is currently the most famous of the lot.
4. Carat Weight
The price of this gem will increase as the carat weight goes up. However, when it comes to buying brown diamonds, it is important to choose colour and quality grade over the carat weight.
We hope this article helps!
