Those who are in the color diamond industry know how very rare most colors are, especially if they are pure colors. Nevertheless, many have questions regarding purple diamonds, due to their rarity and unbelievable color. Here are several of the most frequently asked questions regarding Purple diamonds as well as their respective answers.

1. Are there Natural Purple Diamonds?

Many people have asked if natural purple diamonds really exist, and interestingly enough the answer is, absolutely! Diamonds are formed from elements that compounded together over millions of years. Most of the time it is straight carbon, but everyone once in a while, different elements find their way in there and cause a fantastic hue of other natural colors.

The 3.37ct Purple Orchid

2. What Are Purple Diamonds Called?

Though additional names that some color diamonds receive, such as Chocolate or Cognac diamonds for Brown diamonds, and Canary diamonds for Yellow diamonds, are the results of terrific branding, there are some names that tend to “stick” to some colors. In the case of Purple diamonds, which are mainly known by their color, they are sometimes called Plum diamonds, Orchid diamonds, Lilac diamonds, Mauve diamonds, Lavender diamonds, and Grape diamonds.

3.02 Carat, Fancy Light Brown Diamond, Round, VS2

A 3.02-Carat Fancy Light Brown "Chocolate" Diamond

1.16 Carat, Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond, Radiant, VS1

A Canary Yellow Diamond

0.29ct Fancy Intense Purple-Pink Diamond

A 0.29-Carat Fancy Intense Purple-Pink Diamond

3. Are Purple Diamonds Real?

There are Natural Purple Diamonds, and there are enhanced Purple diamonds. The former are “real” and the latter are not, despite the fact that the enhancements are done to natural diamonds. “Real” here refers to the color, and purple color is only “real” in Natural Purple diamonds.

0.18 Carat, Fancy Pinkish Purple Diamond, Heart, SI2

A 0.18 carat, Fancy Pinkish Purple, Heart-shaped Diamond

4. Are Purple Diamonds Natural?

Purple, Green, Blue, Brown, Black, Pink, Yellow, Red, and more! The shades of colors in which diamonds have been found is endless. Purple diamonds are definitely natural, assuming no one artificially enhanced the diamond and influenced the color. In order that we can classify the stones, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed a uniform list of 12 main colors, 90 secondary hues, 9 different intensity levels, and over 230 color combinations.

5. Why Are Purple Diamonds Purple?

Most color diamonds owe their color to some sort of impurity. In the case of natural purple diamonds, the color is the result of an unusually high presence of Hydrogen.

6. Where Do Purple Diamonds Come From?

While most natural Purple diamonds come from mines in Australia such as the Argyle mine, they are also found in other locations around the globe. These sites include Canada, Russia, the Amazon, as well as other places.

7. How Much Do Purple Diamonds Cost?

A pure Purple diamond is not only extremely difficult to come by, but it is often relatively expensive. Having said that, there are a variety of color diamonds with different color combinations that are more affordable. Generally speaking though, Purple diamonds are quite rare, and therefore, the more purple they are, the more they will cost.

Fancy Purple

A Fancy Purple Diamond

8. Why Buy Purple Diamonds?

Purple diamonds are rare and unique and are special alternatives to the colorless diamond. Additionally, since Purple diamonds are so very rare it is one of the “must have” diamonds for diamond collectors. No collection is complete without some of the rarest color diamonds on the planet, and Purple diamonds most definitely fall into this category.

0.24 Carat, Fancy Pinkish Purple Halo Ring, Oval

0.24 Carat, Fancy Pinkish Purple Halo Ring, Oval

A 0.24 carat, Fancy Pinkish-Purple Diamond Halo Ring

Most diamond dealers will never get to see or hold a pure Purple diamond, however much they may want to. Nevertheless, the pursuit after Purple diamonds never ends, as they are some of the most beautiful natural specimen known to exist. It is for this reason that it is only natural to have many pressing questions regarding Purple diamonds. Hopefully this FAQ article has succeeded in providing some of the answers.

Contributor: Benji Margolese