How often have you been smitten by a black diamond? How often has a pink diamond radiated your dreams? How often has a yellow diamond whispered a love saga to you? How often have you considered brown diamonds an alternative to the colorless goods? Probably, the answer to these multiple questions is single and that is- Not often, or may be Never! Many diamond lovers have always fancied colorless diamonds while natural colored diamonds have just begun to fascinate people on a relatively larger scale. The visibility of these gemstones is now much more than before. The recent upsurge is due to the increasing awareness and resultant craze amongst the fashion-conscious. However, we may never see a day when color becomes as popular as colorless. Apart from other reasons, rare availability of colored diamonds is one strong reason for them not competing with colorless diamonds. Some globally celebrated jewellery brands have crafted brilliant pieces with natural colored diamonds. Certainly the initiative has lifted spirits of the colored diamonds trade. The story below takes you through the beautiful world of natural color diamonds.
Natural Colored diamonds occur in smaller quantities, yet enough to sustain the market demand. These diamonds initially followed the similar cuts of their colorless counterparts. It was only in 1970s that new cuts evolved exclusively for colored stones. An extract from the Gems & Gemology in review of colored diamonds states, "By the mid 1970s, New York manufacturers such as Stanley Doppelt and Henry Grossbard were devising variations on basil Watermeyer’s 1971 Barion cut, a square mixed cut whose step crown and modified-brilliant pavilion improved brilliance and increased yield over the traditional step cut. Their assumption was that their increased scintillation from the mixed cut would better disguise inclusions, resulting in a more pleasing appearance. But as both Doppelt and Grossbard eventually discovered their experimental proportions and facet variation also strengthened the face-up color of light yellow and other yellow diamonds. "Eventually with success of the new cuts more people ventured into cutting yellow diamond rough and interestingly it turned out to be a profitable venture. These cuts intensified the color appearance of diamonds, which indeed is very important to fetch good prices.
However, colorless diamonds have undoubtedly been the preference for ages. White diamonds are considered an investment while natural colored diamonds, specially colors like browns are viewed as inferior. "Colored diamonds (Browns) are rarer than colorless diamonds still they are easily available and are comparatively low priced as they do not appeal much. The mindset of the people has been conditioned since ages to consider white diamonds more valuable while colored ones have been considered lesser," comments Pratish Mehta. Nevertheless, the recognition has been achieved as people have realized that natural colored diamonds too possess same brilliance and fire just as their colorless counterparts. Moreover, the beauty and precision of colored diamonds can often be awe inspiring. If used well they can safely prove to be masterpieces. US, Europe, HongKong and Japan continue to be the leading consuming markets for natural colored and fancy colored diamonds.
Color has been fascinating and often adorns celebrities who showcase its rainbow frequently at the Academy Awards and Cannes movie festivals. Jean- Marc Lieberherr reflects upon the profile of buyers of colored diamonds, "The most recent market research shows that the retail consumer finds colored diamonds as appealing as whites. Champagne diamonds are typically purchased for fashion, not an investment, by financially independent, style conscious women. Champagne diamonds have often been associated with status, good taste, romance and the finest things in life. The ultimate consumers for Argyle’s pink diamonds are mostly collectors, high nett worth individuals and diamond connoisseurs."
Much public attention was attracted when actor Ben Affleck gave a 6 carat pink diamond engagement ring to actress/singer Jenifer Lopez. Similarly, Halle Berry was wearing a 5.54 ct Pumpkin diamond when she accepted her Best Actress Oscar in 2002 stimulated popularity of colored diamonds. She followed this at the Golden Globe Awards by wearing a blue diamond pendent and ring. While the presence of colored diamonds at such top events is not a new occurance, the attention that now surrounds these gems is unprecedented.
Exhibitions, auctions and brand associations have further enhanced the popularity of colored diamonds, "Even with the occasional exhibition of colored diamonds from royal and state collections, historically there were few opportunities for the public to see significant numbers of colored diamonds. Fortunately, over the course of the last century a handful of enthusiastic promotion have brought them to the attention of broader audiences. For example, Alan Bronstein’s and Harry Rodmans’ Aurora Collection consisting of 296 colored diamonds was exhibited at the American Museum of Natural History from 1989 to 2005. Their Butterfly of Peace Collection, developed over a twelve year period was on display at the Houston Museum of Science from 1994 to 1996 and the Smithsonian Institution in 2004 and 2005, reports Jean- Marc Lieberherr.
In 2003 the Natural Color Diamond Association (NCDIA), an international trade organization, was established. To date, the NCDIA has sponsored fashion shows in conjunction with high profile media events, and has launched a website to help consumers and diamond professionals alike to better understand colored diamonds.
The Natural Color Diamond Association (NCDIA) attended the 68th annual AGS Conclave April 26-29th in Denver, Colorado as a grand sponsor, and host of the fashion show produced by Vogue Magazine for the second consecutive year. NCDIA made a splash at the event by showing a stunning selection of pink, blue, yellow, brown and multi-color natural color diamond jewelry from eleven of its members including Scarselli, Dehres, Martin Flyer, Le Vian, Novel Collection, Uneek, Maidi Corp, Michael Werdiger, Diatraco, LJ West Diamonds and Amgad. All of the jewelry was displayed during the four day conference and worn in the fashion show produced by Vogue Magazine.
The education program includes a series of three sales meetings designed for a manger to train their staff which will include a Leader's Guide power point presentation, Associate Self Study Workbook and an Associate Meeting Workbook.
The first meeting is an introduction to natural color diamonds which includes basics such as the primary colors of diamonds, origin of color, geography of color and an explanation of how natural color diamonds are valued.
Pratish Mehta comments on the popularity spiral of colored diamonds over the last 5 years, "World class brands like Chopard and Harry Winston have designed magnificent creations with colored diamonds. Their efforts and deep interest have wooed high segment population to patronize colored diamonds. People are more confident about colored diamond jewellery. In the preceding 5 years, awareness about colored diamonds has increased up to nearly 400%. Promotions are emerging stronger and are being effective. They are increasingly being acknowledged as a viable alternative to colorless ones." Ajay Jakhotia adds, "In last few years natural colored diamonds have picked up as their visibility has increased. We participate in all the trade shows and events. Similarly other companies are also promoting colored diamonds in several ways due to which people have started taking interest in them."
Colorless diamonds have always dominated the show, probably because they have constantly been bestowed with superior promotion and attention. The collective industry has made efforts for decades to place colorless diamonds on a superior throne. Natural colored diamonds have lately been widely identified by the consumer, and are already making rounds. The journey has just begun. Surely there is much to wait and watch!
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