Sure, you’ve heard of pink and blue diamonds but have you ever heard about orange diamonds? With a vibrant orange color that glints and gleams in the light, you can’t help but feel an instant mood lift when you see an orange diamond. (NOTE: this post is for educational purposes– we currently don’t have an assortment of orange diamonds. Check out our lab grown diamonds for a stunning alternative to traditional mined.)
Below, we break down what an orange diamond is and how it gets its color. We also share tips for finding your ideal fancy vivid orange diamond. Read on to learn all about the stunning orange diamond.
What is an Orange Diamond?
The orange diamond is one of Earth’s most stunning and fiery diamonds. Its rich tones are perfect for those who love to make a statement. This diamond will undoubtedly leave you breathless as it shines and glows in the light.
But what is it exactly?
The orange diamond is a fancy-colored diamond with an orange hue. We’ll get more into why diamonds can develop this hue below. But first, you should know that natural orange diamonds are one of the rarest stones on earth. In fact, they are so rare that nearly all of the orange diamonds on the market are lab created diamonds.
Like other fancy color diamonds, the orange diamond has all of the same characteristics of colorless diamonds – the only difference is its color!
Why is an Orange Diamond Orange?
The orange diamond owes its sunny hue to the presence of nitrogen atoms. Nitrogen atoms are incorporated into the lattice structure of the diamond when it forms. Nitrogen is a common element in diamonds; it is the cause of most light yellow and brown diamonds’ color. However, the most vivid orange diamonds lack a modifying color. This means there is a lack of secondary hues that would otherwise wash out the orange hue of the diamond.
Orange diamonds can also become orange through heat treatment. Treated orange diamonds are subjected to high heat upwards of 500 degrees Celsius. The absorption band within the diamond (that is there because of the lack of modifying color) expands. The result is a temporary color shift.
Are Orange Diamonds Expensive?
On rare occasions, someone discovers an orange diamond large enough to facet and polish. It is usually in South Africa or Western Australia. These natural orange diamonds are quite expensive thanks to their rarity—a 0.50ct Fancy Vivid Pure Orange diamond in a radiant shape costs upwards of $10,000.
Thankfully, lab created diamonds exist. As such, they have helped lower the cost of fancy color diamonds. At Clean Origin, a fancy intense orangy yellow diamond that is 1.08ct and cushion-shaped costs just $1,400. It sacrifices none of the vivid yellow-orange color and brilliance of the diamond.
Tips for Purchasing an Orange Diamond
Want an orange diamond of your own? There are a few things to keep in mind when you shop for your perfect stone!
Know What Shade of Orange Color You Would Prefer
People love orange diamonds for their color. So it makes sense to prioritize color out of all the other 4cs.
There are seven color grades for orange diamonds: Faint Orange, Very Light Orange, Light Orange, Fancy, Fancy Intense Orange, Fancy Vivid Orange, and Fancy Deep Orange. Faint orange is the lightest shade of orange available; anything that is lighter than orange can be a yellow diamond. Don’t write it off, though. Fancy light orange diamonds are just as lovely as the deepest orange diamond, fancy deep orange.
Choosing the best saturation of orange depends on your preference. Fancy deep orange diamonds are more expensive than fancy vivid orange diamonds. They also cost more than other fancy orange diamonds since they are the rarest. Additionally, some people view fancy brown, orange diamonds or yellowish-orange diamonds as members of the orange diamond family.
Ultimately, you should purchase the diamond color that speaks the most to you, regardless of hue, and you’ll never go wrong.
Clarity Is Not As Important (Kind Of)
When shopping for orange diamonds, color is more important than clarity. Oftentimes, the color of an orange diamond masks any flaws. And even if an imperfection like a carbon inclusion does show, the color will still be prominent enough. The inclusion won’t detract from the diamond’s beauty.
If you are specifically looking for a step-cut diamond, it may be helpful to think of clarity. Again, it’s not the most important of the 4Cs. But since step-cuts offer an unobstructed view into the diamond, you will still want it to look as clear as possible.
The Larger the Carat, The Larger the Cost
As we’ve mentioned, orange diamonds are rare. While lab created diamonds have lessened the rarity of orange diamonds, public opinion and market rate have held fast. This means the larger the diamond you purchase is, the more it will cost you.
When shopping for an orange diamond, first think about the carat size you want. Then consider your budget. Often, because of the color, orange diamonds cost more than colorless diamonds, even when made in a lab. So, in prioritizing color accept that you may have to compromise on carat weight.
Go For the Cut That Works for You
Fancy orange stones shine in every cut. Most of the time, a cutter will shape the individual stone to best reflect and bring out its orange color. This is different from colorless diamonds–which are cut to maximize fire, brilliance, and scintillation.
Because of this, you may find that you have a smaller selection of shapes when browsing fire diamonds. Just know they are certain shapes for a reason. If your heart is set on a certain shape, there is a diamond out there for you. You just have to find it!
Famous Orange Diamonds
Diamond enthusiasts are always amazed at the beauty of the orange diamond. However, a few diamonds have truly stood out among the rest.
The Orange
“The Orange” is the largest natural orange diamond in the world. The 14.82 carat diamond had fancy vivid color and was cut into a pleasing pear shape. It sold for $20 million through a Christies auction in 2013.
The Pumpkin Diamond
Another stunning famous diamond, the “Pumpkin Diamond’ is a 5.54 carat fancy vivid orange diamond. It was mined in the Central African Republic. Its name is the “Pumpkin Diamond,” thanks to Harry Winston. Winston purchased it the day before Halloween.
In 2002, Halle Berry wore the pumpkin diamond on her pinky finger to the Oscars. That night she took home the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “Monster’s Ball.”
The Koi Diamond
The “Koi Diamond” is an incredibly unique bicolor diamond that appears just like a koi fish. The 32-carat pear-shaped diamond originated in the Congo almost 20 years ago. It currently sits in a vault in Antwerp, and is one of the world’s most unique diamonds.
Find Your Orange Diamond at Clean Origin
Clean Origin has a wide selection of orange stones that are infused with the beauty of secondary colors. From vivid yellow orange to brown orange, pink orange (and everything in between) you are sure to find a diamond that speaks to you.
Lab created diamonds cost 20-40% less than natural diamonds. And since all of our stones are lab created, you can feel confident you are getting the best price. You can also feel confident knowing that you’re purchasing a conflict-free diamond.
So wear the sunshine on your finger – Find your perfect orange diamond at Clean Origin today!
