Colored diamonds, rare flashes and expert looks.
The result of a collaboration between the Natural Diamond Council (NDC), the Choron Group and the Fancy Color Research Foundation (FCRF), the Fancy Colour Diamond Report It sheds light on the most unique gems of the mineral kingdom. This reference document gives voice to a circle of international experts, gemologists, collectors, market players, and cultural institutions to provide a precise overview of the world of colored diamonds.
Credit Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History
Photo by Robert Weldon, courtesy of Ronald Winston
These stones, long shrouded in mystery, captivate with their rarity and the symbolic depth they carry. The report traces their geological genesis, focuses on the specificities of their hues, analyzes their dynamics of valorization, and examines their place in major auction sales. From the fascinating blue shade to the most enigmatic reds, each color reveals a world of meanings and natural phenomena sometimes unexpected, as in the case of Chameleon effect, This temporary change in color intrigues the specialists.
Demand for these diamonds is constantly evolving. For the last two decades, their prices have been growing at an annual compound growth rate of 5.7 %%. The figures speak for themselves: +393.5 % for roses, +242.4 % for blues, and +49.3 for % yellows. A surge that Roy Safit, CEO of the FCRF, sees as a sign of the market’s new maturity, unaffected by the uncertainties affecting other segments of the luxury sector.
The structural scarcity of these stones contributes significantly to their aura. To date, only a few mining sites, located notably in Canada, Botswana, Australia, Sierra Leone and South Africa, produce these diamonds in sufficient quantities to feed high-end jewelry and the investment market. Their presence, albeit marginal in volume, holds a central place in the imagination, reinforced by their increasing visibility on the red carpets and in international exhibitions.
For David Kellie, CEO of Natural Diamond Council, This publication is part of an effort to better promote these multifaceted stones: «Each colored diamond is an expression of passion and style. They testify to a heritage derived from the Earth, rich in meaning and history.»
Subtly, the report details how these gems, long considered collectibles reserved for a select few, are now becoming an essential component of the jewelry landscape. At the intersection of knowledge, aesthetics, and patrimonial value, they embody a precious art that never goes out of style.
Featured image: Argyle pink diamonds Credit Rio Tinto
