How Blue Diamonds Are Made

Diamond Basics

Blue Diamond Earrings
Diamonds are made up of a mineral substance that possesses excellent qualities. Diamonds are capable of being scratched only by other diamonds and comprehensive diamond nanorods as well as by other especially tough substances such as fullerite, borazon and rhenium diboride. Diamonds' hardiness allows them to be used as abrasives. The diamond's toughness and elevated distribution of light also allows it to be used in various industrial situations and as jewelry. Second to graphite, diamonds are the most established kind of carbon. Diamonds are recognized as the toughest natural-occurring mineral stone.

Blue Diamond Ring
Natural colored blue diamonds as well as any other colored diamond are very rare. They are also very expensive because they are so rare. The blue diamond is actually the most rare and thus most desired diamond. The most famous blue diamond known is called the Hope diamond. It can be viewed in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. The Hope blue diamond is also the largest diamond. It is 45.52 carats.
Most jewelers have never laid eyes on a natural blue diamond, and because natural blue diamonds are so very rare, they will more than likely never have the privilege of owning one. However, over the last few years, techniques to develop blue and other colored diamonds have been established. Some professional jewelers who are embracing this technique believe that this process reestablishes the historical conditions that existed when people created and produced natural colored gemstones. The technique to create these colored stones can only be applied to a marginal amount of diamonds. The technique involves treating the diamonds by irradiating (exposing the stone to light or radiation) which results in the alteration of the color of the stone. The stone is then enhanced by a heat treatment to stabilize the color of the stone. Just about every diamond has been improved and enhanced by irradiating as well as by a heat treatment to improve the color of the diamond.

Because of their rarity, natural as well as enhanced (treated) blue diamonds are far more expensive than customary, almost colorless white diamonds. For treated blue diamonds, the cost is also much higher due to the process and time it takes to produce such a diamond. Therefore, it makes sense to treat only the diamonds that possess superior clarity. Generally, the diamonds chosen for enhanced treatment are less desired colored diamonds such as yellow or brown. However, there is no guarantee what the ending color will be after the diamonds are treated.