Red diamonds are some of the most fascinating diamonds that you may have an opportunity to see. That’s why so many people are interested in them and want to learn about these mesmerizing diamonds!
Here, you’ll learn everything you need to know about red diamonds from their creation, beginnings, rarity, cuts, jewelry, price, and many more.
We understand that there’s a lack of information out there about these awesome-looking diamonds, so we’ll get down to the most important information that you may want to learn.
So, if you’re interested in learning about red diamonds, we highly suggest you keep reading and learn all about them in just a few minutes!
Let’s see what we have in store for you.
What Are Red Diamonds & Where Do They Come From?
As we’ve said, red diamonds are some of the most interesting, and probably the rarest diamonds out there when it comes to color. The vividness and the intensity of these diamonds are off the charts, and when combined with the rarity of these diamonds, you get a lack of information.
We’re here to change that, but we need to start off with the basics. So let’s take a look at what even are red diamonds and where do they come from since they’re so rare?
Red diamonds are considered to be the rarest form of colored diamonds, right above green and pink diamonds. These diamonds are rarely found and there are only a few found each year. This makes it impossible to calculate the percentage of red diamonds that are excavated every year since there are so few anyway.
Generally speaking, if you find a red diamond for sale, it either means that it’s newly excavated, mad in a lab, or it’s fake. In fact, these diamonds are so rare that you probably can’t find on just laying around a jewelry store.
A red diamond is one that has a red color and has the same mineral properties as colorless diamonds. This is a definition that gives you the best idea of what we’re talking about when we say “red diamonds” and it’s quite important to remember that.
Red diamonds, in fact, have the same properties as all other diamonds, including the rest of the colored diamond spectrum. Even the lab-grown diamonds have the same chemical and other significant properties as regular diamonds, which makes red diamonds stand out solely for their color and rarity.
Red diamonds are also found in the ground and are excavated with the rest of the diamonds found on the specific geolocation that houses a diamond excavation group.
A big majority of red diamonds come from Australia, namely the Argyle Diamond Mine, which is known for producing the best pink, violet, blue, and brown diamonds in the world. This mine was expected to be closed in 2020. but there’s no definitive answer about the future of the diamonds found there.
The Argyle diamond mine is also known for being one of the biggest sources of pink diamonds in the world, and that causes some concerns regarding the excavations of pink and red diamonds since people think the world will see no more of these precious colored diamonds.
Australia is widely known for its contribution to the diamond market, but one thing that is certain is that the quality of gemstones coming from there isn’t on the top of the list of countries that export diamonds of the highest quality.
This only means that diamonds that come from Australia shouldn’t be expected to have great clarity or color grades.
How Are Red Diamonds Created?
The red color is caused by a lattice flaw in the diamond that displays stress lamination during the production process, according to most diamond experts. Beautiful crimson hues emerge from the bending light that flows through the distorted structure of the diamond.
This is the most simple answer to our question “how are red diamonds created?”. We know that it may sound complicated, and that’s because it is! And it’s rare as well. These types of processes hardly ever happen, meaning that’s the sole reason why red diamonds are as rare as they are.
Throughout history, many nations and tribes believed that red gemstones, which means not only diamonds but other gemstones that are red in color, should be presented as a gift from Mother Nature to the God of Sun or the God of Light.
Due to the intense color of these gemstones which are rarely found in nature, these ancient people believed that they weren’t worthy of possessing them. Later on, in history, these gemstones became key pieces and centerpieces in the crowns of monarchs.
Displayed on the crown of the highest sitting man in a kingdom, these red gemstones became even more praised and loved, leading them to be even more desired.
But, the scarcity of red diamonds and the imperfections that they often had because of the process that needed to take place in order for them to form often left other people empty-handed and left the most beautiful red diamonds in the hands of some very important people.
Although this is all quite interesting and very amusing, we have to get back to the reality and the real process that needs to happen in order for the world to become richer with another red diamond.
These diamonds need specific conditions to form, and those conditions aren’t likely to happen. So once they do, and it seems that it’s even rarer than it was before, these diamonds are deep under the ground and are hard to find.
Stress lamination isn’t easy to achieve, and the rarity of red diamonds depends on that. These conditions are so extreme and harsh that they can’t be simulated in a controlled environment such as a lab that is dedicated to creating lab-grown diamonds.
Nowadays, there are some labs for growing diamonds that claim that they can simulate the required conditions for a red diamond to form. Although this technology is quite young, it is a promise that we will probably have much more red diamonds in the future.
Learn More: Natural Fancy Colored Diamonds: Everything You Need to Know
The Rarity Of Red Diamonds & Famous Red Diamonds
We mentioned multiple times that these red gemstones are quite rare, in fact, they are considered to be the rarest colored diamond variation out there.
Just a few pieces that weigh a few carats at max are found each year, and in special locations, meaning that not all diamond excavation centers have the luxury of finding a red diamond.
What percentage of diamonds that are excavated are red? The answer only explains further how rare these diamonds are. There have been only 20 to 30 red diamonds found ever meaning that they are so rare that their existence can’t be measured in %.
Pieces of information such as this can lead you closer to realizing why these diamonds are looked at as some of the most exclusive gemstones on earth.
Also, their rarity results in many of the red diamonds known to mankind being famous and having their own names and personal stories behind them.
Let’s take a look at some of the most famous red diamonds out there:
The DeYoung Red Diamond
This stunning round-cut red diamond weighs 5.03 carats and is the world’s third largest red diamond. DeYoung Red was discovered at a flea market by Sydney DeYoung, who erroneously purchased the stone thinking it was a red garnet.
In December of 1987, the jeweler presented the diamond to the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. The stone has a deep red color with a brown tint and is free of chemical contaminants.
The DeYoung Red Diamond is a modified round brilliant cut with horizontally divided facets on the crown. It’s a genuinely unique specimen of a stunning red diamond.
The Kazanjian Red Diamond
This gem is ranked second on our list of the world’s most famous red diamonds. In 1927, a 5.05-carat diamond was unearthed in Lichtenberg, South Africa, with a rough weight of 35 carats. The jewelers transformed the stone into a magnificent emerald-cut diamond after the diamond cutter reduced its size by 85 percent.
During World War 2, Nazi forces captured the Kazanjian Red Diamond from a residence in the Netherlands. General Joseph McNarney of the United States later discovered the diamond in a salt mine, believing it to be a ruby.
In 2007, Kazanjian Bros. Inc. obtained the stone from an unnamed jeweler’s private collection. Today, Michael Kazanjian estimates that the stone is worth more than $50 million.
The Moussaieff Red Diamond
The Moussaieff Red Diamond is the world’s largest red diamond. It has a trilliant cut and is internally flawless, weighing 5.11 carats. It was unearthed by a farmer in Brazil in the mid-nineteenth century, weighing 13.9 carats at the time.
The beautiful ruby-red Diamond was originally known as the ‘Red Shield,’ but after being acquired by the Moussaieff jewelry firm, it was renamed the Moussaieff Red Diamond. The rock is now positioned as the focal point of a platinum ring and is valued at over $15 million.
The Graff Purplish-Red Diamond
Colored diamond owners frequently preserve the details of their stones due to their great value. The Graff Purplish-Red Diamond is one of those diamonds about whose early history nothing is known.
Scientists have deduced that it originated in either South Africa or Brazil based on specific traits, like as its 2.26-carat modified octagonal cut. The 2.26-carat red diamond is set in an 18k pink gold ring with four heart-shaped diamond petals and a 2.26-carat red diamond as the centerpiece.
The Graff Purplish-Red was auctioned for $2.65 million on November 15, 2007, making the price per carat $1.17 million.
Red Diamonds – Best Cuts
As you probably already know, most diamonds should be cut in a specific manner and in specific shapes so they look as good as they can.
Red diamonds are no exception to this rule, meaning that there are certain cuts that are preferred on red diamonds in order to let them shine as bright as possible and underline their strong sides while hiding their imperfections if there are some.
Let’s take a look at some of the cuts that are often recommended for red diamonds!
The Pear Cut
The pear cut diamond, also known as a teardrop diamond, is a unique shape with a rounded bottom and a pointed top. This graceful and beautiful form, which resembles a flawless drop of water (thus the name “teardrop”), is frequently regarded as a universally attractive engagement ring choice.
It’s been around for centuries, yet many consider it to be a more recent, but lesser-known cut. Let’s talk about what you need to know about this amazing diamond form, which is both beautiful and unique.
The Cushion Cut
Cushion cut diamonds, like old mine cut diamonds, are fashioned like a square with cut corners (or a cushion), but they have modern brilliant-cut faceting.
Cushion-cut diamonds are considered a vintage style since they evolved from an antique diamond form. This cut has 58 facets, meaning it allows the diamond to “breathe” and take in as much light as possible allowing it to shine bright and show off its beauty.
If you’re somebody that likes to share the amazing looks of your diamonds with other people, this is definitely a cut you should consider if you’re in the market for red diamonds.
The Oval Cut
The Oval is a “fancy” shape because its elongated, which makes it appear larger than other shapes of similar carat weight. The oval diamond’s slim body gives it a lovely, extended appearance. It helps the fingers and hands appear thinner. Because the diamond has no sharp corners, it is less likely to chip.
An oval diamond is a great choice if you prefer a rounder form but want a stone with more personality. Furthermore, oval diamonds are usually always less expensive than round brilliant diamonds, so if you’re looking to save a few extra bucks (which we doubt if you’re in the market for a red diamond), this is a way to do it!
The Marquise Cut
In comparison to other less vintage designs, the marquise diamond cut, also known as the football-shaped cut, the boat-shaped cut, the eye-shaped cut, or the navette, is rarely found in engagement rings.
The 58 facets of a marquise cut diamond are arranged in an elliptical form with pointed ends. It has been around for generations, and while it may not be as well-known as the princess or round cuts, its traditional, long, narrow shape looks great on the ring finger.
Red Diamonds – Best Settings
Settings are also quite important when it comes to diamonds since they impact the amount of light that penetrates the diamond and results in the diamond having that recognizable sparkle.
The way that a diamond is set into a piece of jewelry is also responsible for how secure the diamond is, and when we’re talking about diamonds as expensive as red diamonds and as rare as them, you definitely shouldn’t go for more beautiful and less secure options.
Here are our top picks for the best settings for red diamonds.
The Ornate halo setting
The ornate halo setting really accentuates the beauty and the redness of the red diamond that is the centerpiece of this setting. The other diamonds that are found around the centerpiece just bring out the color of the red diamond and allow it to present itself as an even redder and more vivid diamond than it potentially is.
This means that you’ll put all eyes on the red diamond, which is exactly what these diamonds deserve. Looking at a red diamond in an ornate halo setting seems like looking at an art piece, so if that’s something you’re going for – this is the perfect setting for you.
Learn More: Halo Settings: Everything You Need to Know
The Three-Stone Setting
The same goes for the three-stone setting. The side pieces that are found on the left and the right of the centerpiece stone are usually diamonds with no color (transparent diamonds, or regular diamonds) and they allow for the red diamond in the center to present even better.
This effect is similar to that of an ornate halo setting effect. Both side pieces perfectly complement the centerpiece making it even redder in color and looking even better than it would on its own.
The Prong Setting
Prong settings have always been popular since they’re minimalistic, good-looking, and secure your diamond in place without any chance of it falling out. These settings are known for their safety and that’s why we suggested that you should look for a setting that both looks good and keeps your diamond safe in place.
If you decide to go with this setting, just know that your red diamond will have plenty of light to shine as good as it can, and that, in addition to that, it will be kept safe and snug in the piece of jewelry that it is embedded in.
Related Read: 4 Prong Vs. 6 Prong: Which Diamond Ring Setting Is Better?
Red Diamonds – Price
It’s clear to us that you’re probably thinking about the price of these diamonds the whole time while reading this. Who knows, maybe you scrolled to this part of the article to find out before reading anything else!
Well then, let’s talk about the price of red diamonds. Taking into close consideration the rarity of these diamonds, the price goes with the previously stated. Even though there have only been a few dozen of these diamonds found in the entire history of diamonds, red diamonds do have a general price per carat of mass.
This may seem like too high of a number, but when you read the price, just keep in mind that green diamonds that are found much more often than red diamonds often cost up to $700 000 dollars per carat.
But, without further ado – the price of a one-carat red diamond often goes as high as one million dollars per carat of red diamonds. There are some instances where you’ll maybe find a carat of red diamond go for lower than that, but probably not lower than $900 000. This is the bottom line for prices of red diamonds, and for a good reason.
Also, red diamonds can be of lower clarity level, for example, VS clarity level, or won’t be as intense in color, so you’ll probably find those kinds of red diamonds for a lower price.
Regardless of if you’re in the market for a red diamond or not, this price is big, especially if we’re talking about diamonds that weigh multiple carats (which can happen).
Also, red diamonds aren’t available all over the world, and that’s one more testament to how rare these diamonds actually are. Australia, the US, and Europe are the three continents that are most likely to have some red diamonds for sale.
Australia is on this list since a big number of red diamonds is found there, and it’s possible that they don’t sell and export all their diamonds to other countries or continents. The US and Europe are the continents and countries where Australia exports its red diamonds, so they are the two most likely places where you’ll find an Australian red diamond outside of its borders.
The price may vary from continent to continent, and from country to country, but not drastically. When we’re talking about a million dollars for a carat of diamonds, a few thousand dollars doesn’t make a huge difference!
Also, some countries have more strict laws about diamonds, especially diamonds that are as rare as red diamonds, so if you’re in the market for one and you’re planning on buying it in a foreign country, inform yourself about local laws regarding diamonds.
Related Read: Diamond Price List: How Much Is A 0.1 To 40 Carat Diamond Worth?
Pros & Cons Of Red Diamonds
Now that you have a full picture of red diamonds, let’s take a good look at their strong sides and some characteristics that aren’t considered as good as some else.
The Pros Of Red Diamonds
As you had an opportunity to see for yourself, these diamonds have a few pros. The biggest pro is that they’re quite rare. People often talk about similar cuts and the same settings for diamond rings, but red diamonds really do stand out from the crowd.
The second pro of red diamonds is that they’re quite luxurious. Red diamonds have a feeling like no other diamonds thanks to them being the rarest diamond on earth. The feeling of luxury that comes with red diamonds is unmatched!
The third pro that can be attributed to red diamonds is the fact that they look amazing. The vividness of the color that the majority of red diamonds have is not replicable and looking at them is mesmerizing without question.
The Cons Of Red Diamonds
Now that we’ve talked about what are the strong suits of these diamonds, let’s take a look at some things that you need to be careful of. It’s hard to fathom that the rarest diamonds on earth have their weak sides, but trust us – they do.
The first thing that you need to be careful of is the fact that red diamonds often don’t have a high clarity grade and that they can be paler in color. But, since they’re so rare, people choose to look past their imperfections which means that the price of these diamonds isn’t brought down by their flaws.
Secondly, these diamonds are extremely rare, so if you stumble upon a red diamond too easily, make sure to check it with your own equipment, or with a jeweler/diamond dealer that you trust. People often try scamming buyers, even when it comes to large-scale sales like these.
The third, and last con of red diamonds is that they can’t be worn every day. Because of the luxury and the price of these diamonds, they can’t be worn every day without a care in the world. People don’t often wear at least a million dollars on their ring or neck!
Conclusion
Now that you’re practically familiarized with red diamonds as much as you can be for such a short period of time, it’s time to summarize the information we just provided you with.
Red diamonds are definitely the rarest variant of colored diamonds on earth. The fact that there have been only a handful or two of these diamonds ever found speaks in favor of our previous statement.
Besides being rare, these diamonds really look amazing regardless of the setting or the cut. But, there are some preferences that you should know about and that we told you all we know about that will make a red diamond stand out even more.
These diamonds really are a natural wonder, so if you do get an opportunity to see, and even hold one, be sure not to miss out!
