Fancy Vivid Blue Yummy

[JewelFreak]

Gem & jewelry auctions are full of goodies. Christies in Hong Kong has some fantastic stones. This Fancy Vivid Blue diamond, 3.39 ct., IF, Type IIb of course, estimate $4.5 million to $6.5 million. Set by Moussaieff with pink diamonds -- which I do not like. A stone this spectacular should not have competition from pink confetti. (Lot 2102)

http://www.christies.com/zmags/?Zma...nificent+Jewels&SaleId=24774&GUID=&JumptoLot=

This auction has so many one-of-a-kind stones, it's well worth a look through the catalog. I'm dying!

--- Laurie

 

[FrekeChild]

Pink confetti indeed! That is so droolworthy! ETA: The blue. Not the pink stuff.

 

[kenny]

FAINT!

Even though that color has to be Photoshoped to to the nines.

I mean, why stop there?



Or here:



Or here:

 

[eastjavaman]

Agree, so many conflicting beauties.

@kenny, you are just jealous that the one in your photoshopped picture does not exist, else it will be in your possession.

 

[chrono]

I would want to see a video of the ring; there is no question that the picture has been photoshopped. This happens almost 100% of the time with FCDs on the auction papers.

 

[T L]

I would want to see a video of the ring; there is no question that the picture has been photoshopped. This happens almost 100% of the time with FCDs on the auction papers.

True, especially blue diamonds, as they're very grey IRL, even more saturated ones. I actually like the idea of pink diamonds around the blue diamond, as the contrast will help enhance the blue color.

 

[Marlow]

Oh come on TL - the blue diamond is extremely vivid!!!!!! Windex blue - Hauyne is ugly compared to this beauty!!!

 

[Edward Bristol]

Yes, in sapphire one would be hacked into pieces for calling this 'vivid'. It is fair sky blue.

 

[Marlow]

fair sky blue - with a bit smog!

 

[LoversKites]

I think everyone who's looked around would agree that blue diamonds can't, or only extremely rarely, achieve saturation that's on par with high quality sapphire, hauyne or cobalt spinel. But they're nice for what they are.... But not worth the price.

 

[chrono]

Of course the vivid blue of an FCD is grayer than the vivid blue of a sapphire. However, I've seen way too many pictures posted of FCDs where we were later able to see the video of the FCD and all of us noted that the saturation of the FCD was much lower in the video than pictured.

 

[JewelFreak]

It was GIA that called it Fancy Vivid. I wonder what AGL would've come up with. It would be so great to live -- in this case Hong Kong -- where you could go peer at it in person & see how much photoshopped it is. I always think that about blue & red diamonds in these auctions. But still, shrug, somebody will come across with the millions and take it home.

--- Laurie

 

[chrono]

Videos of what other vivid blue FCDs look like. The below is what I would expect a vivid blue FCD to look like in person.
https://www.pricescope.com/blog/video-largest-flawless-vivid-blue-diamond-world-be-auctioned-christies

 

[JewelFreak]

Quite gray -- nothing like the blue in the blue & pink ring (meaning the blue in the blue & pink ring isn't like the picture either). Not a stone I'd spend my (non) money on.

--- Laurie

 

[Marlow]

I know - just a little bit kidding....

But GIA would never call a benitoite or a sapphire with a similar color VIVID - inconsequent - vivid yellow exist - maybe the most beautiful yellow in gems.

It is a slightly grayish blue - maybe slightly grayish intense blue imo.

 

[T L]

I think everyone who's looked around would agree that blue diamonds can't, or only extremely rarely, achieve saturation that's on par with high quality sapphire, hauyne or cobalt spinel. But they're nice for what they are.... But not worth the price.

I think "can't" is more like it, although I've seen more saturated greenish blues. Straight blues, no.

 

[LoversKites]

Videos of what other vivid blue FCDs look like. The below is what I would expect a vivid blue FCD to look like in person.
https://www.pricescope.com/blog/video-largest-flawless-vivid-blue-diamond-world-be-auctioned-christies

Thanks for the link.

 

[T L]

Quite gray -- nothing like the blue in the blue & pink ring (meaning the blue in the blue & pink ring isn't like the picture either). Not a stone I'd spend my (non) money on.

--- Laurie

If you're really into color, than FCD's are not your thing, although I've seen some pretty intensely saturated yellow diamonds, and there are nice pinks too. However, I think some of these uber expensive ultra rare fancy red diamonds are some of the ugliest and most overpriced gems on earth. Only a collector could appreciate one. They don't even classify red diamonds into saturation categories, so something like this brownish red thing is considered fancy red and very very expensive. I suppose some red diamonds have better color.

http://www.gia.edu/fancycoloreddiamond-history-lore

As someone who has also seen fancy blues in person, with some of them, you have to "imagine" the blue almost, so it really does help having contrasting warm colored gems around them.

 

[Marlow]

I think everyone who's looked around would agree that blue diamonds can't, or only extremely rarely, achieve saturation that's on par with high quality sapphire, hauyne or cobalt spinel. But they're nice for what they are.... But not worth the price.

I think "can't" is more like it, although I've seen more saturated greenish blues. Straight blues, no.

Exactly!! They offer these caribean aqua greenish blue which are really vivid.

 

[LoversKites]

I think everyone who's looked around would agree that blue diamonds can't, or only extremely rarely, achieve saturation that's on par with high quality sapphire, hauyne or cobalt spinel. But they're nice for what they are.... But not worth the price.

I think "can't" is more like it, although I've seen more saturated greenish blues. Straight blues, no.

I was thinking of only typing 'can't', but since I haven't seen an awful lot of blue diamonds I didn't want to make that statement. It was kennys blue diamond and others similar in colour to it that made me also question that statement.

I don't know... Diamonds come in so many colours and saturations naturally that I'm sure theres at least one teeny tiny diamond comparable to other fine blue gems somewhere on (or in) earth. Or am I kidding myself? Maybe so.

 

[T L]

Videos of what other vivid blue FCDs look like. The below is what I would expect a vivid blue FCD to look like in person.
https://www.pricescope.com/blog/video-largest-flawless-vivid-blue-diamond-world-be-auctioned-christies

Thanks for the link.

There's an amazing vivid blue cushion that I've seen with exceptional color for a vivid blue diamond (the saturation ranges can also have varying degrees of "sub-saturations," so to speak), and I can't find the link or video right now. I think it's going to break all auction records. I don't think it's gone up for sale yet. It's not "sapphire blue" of course, but for a blue diamond, it's really nice. I've never seen another one like it. Ugh, I wish I could find the link.

 

[chrono]

The Blue Moon diamond?
http://www.nhm.org/site/research-collections/mineral-sciences/temporary-displays/blue-moon-diamond

Video here:
http://www.naturallycolored.com/blog/blue-moon-diamond-12ct-vivid-blue-diamond-revealed/

 

[Marlow]

Remember they very interesting topic about the Langerman visit -I loved the pics.

But there is a pic with HGBV diamonds which are blue or violet - I see only deep gray....

But the price pct for deep gray and deep gray violet......

 

[LoversKites]

Quite gray -- nothing like the blue in the blue & pink ring (meaning the blue in the blue & pink ring isn't like the picture either). Not a stone I'd spend my (non) money on.

--- Laurie

If you're really into color, than FCD's are not your thing, although I've seen some pretty intensely saturated yellow diamonds, and there are nice pinks too. However, I think some of these uber expensive ultra rare fancy red diamonds are some of the ugliest and most overpriced gems on earth. Only a collector could appreciate one. They don't even classify red diamonds into saturation categories, so something like this brownish red thing is considered fancy red and very very expensive. I suppose some red diamonds have better color.

http://www.gia.edu/fancycoloreddiamond-history-lore

As someone who has also seen fancy blues in person, with some of them, you have to "imagine" the blue almost, so it really does help having contrasting warm colored gems around them.

Again, I haven't seen enough FCDs in the flesh to be able to agree or disagree but with your experience you're probably right. What do you think of green diamonds? Those can come pretty saturated, though rarely.

 

[T L]

I think everyone who's looked around would agree that blue diamonds can't, or only extremely rarely, achieve saturation that's on par with high quality sapphire, hauyne or cobalt spinel. But they're nice for what they are.... But not worth the price.

I think "can't" is more like it, although I've seen more saturated greenish blues. Straight blues, no.

I was thinking of only typing 'can't', but since I haven't seen an awful lot of blue diamonds I didn't want to make that statement. It was kennys blue diamond and others similar in colour to it that made me also question that statement.

I don't know... Diamonds come in so many colours and saturations naturally that I'm sure theres at least one teeny tiny diamond comparable to other fine blue gems somewhere on (or in) earth. Or am I kidding myself? Maybe so.

I know boron is the chemical element that colors blue diamonds (straight blues), so I'm unsure if based on the chemical structure of diamond carbon lattice and the boron, if a blue diamond can be comparable to a high grade sapphire (think Kashmir, Burmese, or even Ceylon). I could be wrong, but I've never ever seen one in all the auctions, books, museums, etc. . .

Even the most famous blue diamond in the world, the Hope, is rather greyish. I think some blue diamonds do come close to some greyish blue sapphires, like the cushion I alluded to in a prior post. However, I could be wrong on both accounts. I'm not an FCD expert, so maybe someone can chime in.

As for FCD's, at the very least, they have to sparkle like diamonds to be beautiful, at least to me. Some blues and reds are so dark in color, they lack the characteristic sparkle that diamonds are famous for. Therefore, even if its a color that is not preferable, it should at least perform with the light.

 

[T L]

Quite gray -- nothing like the blue in the blue & pink ring (meaning the blue in the blue & pink ring isn't like the picture either). Not a stone I'd spend my (non) money on.

--- Laurie

If you're really into color, than FCD's are not your thing, although I've seen some pretty intensely saturated yellow diamonds, and there are nice pinks too. However, I think some of these uber expensive ultra rare fancy red diamonds are some of the ugliest and most overpriced gems on earth. Only a collector could appreciate one. They don't even classify red diamonds into saturation categories, so something like this brownish red thing is considered fancy red and very very expensive. I suppose some red diamonds have better color.

http://www.gia.edu/fancycoloreddiamond-history-lore

As someone who has also seen fancy blues in person, with some of them, you have to "imagine" the blue almost, so it really does help having contrasting warm colored gems around them.

Again, I haven't seen enough FCDs in the flesh to be able to agree or disagree but with your experience you're probably right. What do you think of green diamonds? Those can come pretty saturated, though rarely.

Greens can be nicely saturated, although that's rare. Most are pretty greyish from what I've seen. If it's too saturated, like a tsavorite for example, I would suspect artificial irradiation treatment or coating.

 

[T L]

The Blue Moon diamond?
http://www.nhm.org/site/research-collections/mineral-sciences/temporary-displays/blue-moon-diamond

Video here:
http://www.naturallycolored.com/blog/blue-moon-diamond-12ct-vivid-blue-diamond-revealed/

YESSSS!!!! THe most gorgeous vivid blue diamond I've ever seen in a real depiction (not photoshopped or enhanced).

Thanks Chrono!

Here it is on the news, and obviously they're not enhancing it here, although I'm sure the studio lights help the color a bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI95gb1WYSc

 

[LoversKites]

I think everyone who's looked around would agree that blue diamonds can't, or only extremely rarely, achieve saturation that's on par with high quality sapphire, hauyne or cobalt spinel. But they're nice for what they are.... But not worth the price.

I think "can't" is more like it, although I've seen more saturated greenish blues. Straight blues, no.

I was thinking of only typing 'can't', but since I haven't seen an awful lot of blue diamonds I didn't want to make that statement. It was kennys blue diamond and others similar in colour to it that made me also question that statement.

I don't know... Diamonds come in so many colours and saturations naturally that I'm sure theres at least one teeny tiny diamond comparable to other fine blue gems somewhere on (or in) earth. Or am I kidding myself? Maybe so.

I know boron is the chemical element that colors blue diamonds (straight blues), so I'm unsure if based on the chemical structure of diamond carbon lattice and the boron, if a blue diamond can be comparable to a high grade sapphire (think Kashmir, Burmese, or even Ceylon). I could be wrong, but I've never ever seen one in all the auctions, books, museums, etc. . .

Even the most famous blue diamond in the world, the Hope, is rather greyish. I think some blue diamonds do come close to some greyish blue sapphires, like the cushion I alluded to in a prior post. However, I could be wrong on both accounts. I'm not an FCD expert, so maybe someone can chime in.

As for FCD's, at the very least, they have to sparkle like diamonds to be beautiful, at least to me. Some blues and reds are so dark in color, they lack the characteristic sparkle that diamonds are famous for. Therefore, even if its a color that is not preferable, it should at least perform with the light.

I did a bit of research and found this study relating to colouring in gemstones.
http://www.minsocam.org/msa/collectors_corner/arc/color.htm

In the introduction right after the abstract there's this quote that made me interested...
"Specific causes for color in the majority of minerals are in fact not known, and detailed investigations, often requiring precision spectroscopy, impurity analysis down to ppm levels, magnetic resonance, and sometimes radiation and even laboratory synthetic procedures, may be necessary for unambiguous conclusions. As an example, the deep blue of diamonds such as the "Hope" almost certainly originates in merely a few boron atoms per million of carbon atoms (this also provides the electrical conductivity)."

First of all, who knew blue diamonds were conductive? I just learned in chemistry that colourless diamonds cannot conduct electricity in any form due to the atomic bonds (Ok, I don't learn chemistry in English so I don't know if I'm translating this right... I'm just trying to mix studying into PS, forgive me).

Back on point. Theoretically, according to info quoted from the study, if there was a higher concentration of boron atoms (rather than a few per million) the saturation of a blue diamond would be stronger. I'm sure it's more complicated than that but I like to think out loud.

As for your last point, I agree. Below is a deep blue diamond that looks pretty awful to me.

 

[LoversKites]

Greens can be nicely saturated, although that's rare. Most are pretty greyish from what I've seen. If it's too saturated, like a tsavorite for example, I would suspect artificial irradiation treatment or coating.

Yes, definitely rare. I've noticed higher saturation in pinks, yellows and some oranges like the one below. This is an FCD I'd love to see in person. (vivid orange, 1.1ct, I1)

ETA -- my avatar sphalerite probably looks just as nice

ETA2: Since my eyes are not as sharp as some here, do others see brown in the fcd? (sorry for diverting the thread)

 

[Marlow]

http://www.gia.edu/cs/Satellite?blobcol=gfile&blobheader=application%2Fpdf&blobheadername1=Content-Disposition&blobheadername2=MDT-Type&blobheadername3=Content-Type&blobheadervalue1=attachment%3B+filename%3DGRAY-TO-BLUE-TO-VIOLET-HYDROGEN-RICH-DIAMONDS.pdf&blobheadervalue2=abinary%3B+charset%3DUTF-8&blobheadervalue3=application%2Fpdf&blobkey=id&blobtable=GIA_DocumentFile&blobwhere=1355958135583&ssbinary=true

This is interesting to for you, LoversKites. These HGBV Diamonds ( Hydrogen rich Gray to Blue to Violet) are not colored by boron.

Boron in Type IIb diamond produces blue but also gray diamonds....