Question 1

Are orange diamonds rare?

Accepted Answer

Pure orange diamonds with no secondary hue are rare, particularly in Fancy Intense and Fancy Vivid grades. Most orange diamonds carry a yellow or brown modifier, and these are more available. Size also matters, as strongly coloured orange diamonds above one carat appear on the market infrequently and are keenly sought by collectors.

Question 2

What is the difference between yellowish orange and orangy yellow?

Accepted Answer

In a GIA colour description the last hue named is the dominant one. A yellowish orange diamond is mainly orange with a yellow secondary hue, while an orangy yellow diamond is mainly yellow with an orange secondary hue. Stones where orange is dominant are generally rarer and command higher prices than orangy yellows.

Question 3

Are brownish orange diamonds worth buying?

Accepted Answer

Brownish orange and orange-brown diamonds can offer warm, attractive colour at a fraction of the price of pure orange stones, which makes them useful for jewellery. The brown component lowers value compared with pure or yellowish orange. As with any fancy colour, check that the report confirms natural colour origin before buying.

Question 4

Can orange diamonds be treated?

Accepted Answer

Yes. HPHT processing, irradiation with annealing and surface coatings can all produce orange or orangy colours, and lab-grown orange diamonds are also available. These can closely resemble natural stones. A report from a major laboratory such as GIA stating natural colour origin is the reliable way to confirm a natural orange diamond.

Natural Orange Diamonds