Irradiated Blue Diamonds

[upside]

I'm shopping for an e-ring for my girlfriend. Thankfully she has given me an idea of what she likes. She definitely wants a vintage style ring. She likes side diamonds, milgrain, and engraving. I'm thinking something like:

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-engagement-ring-14k-white-gold_20305

or

http://www.robbinsbrothers.com/Engagement-Rings/Ring-With-Sidestones/Robbins-Brothers-i31944.ring

The other thing she definitely wants is a blue irradiated diamond center. She loves the blue-green color of these stones. I'd like to get her about a 1 carat stone. My question is where would I find a quality blue irradiated diamond center? I'm familiar with the 4 c's, but are these even relevant to an irradiated blue diamond? Thank you!

 

[Niel]

heres one thread about them that i know of
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/irradiated-blue-diamonds.186003/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/irradiated-blue-diamonds.186003/[/URL]

 

[blackprophet]

Might be good to get the mods to move this thread to the Coloured Stones section. They might know more over there. (although they may want to steer you towards real FCDs!)

ETA - I see you erased your Coloured Stones Thread. Any Particular reason for that?

 

[upside]

ETA - I see you erased your Coloured Stones Thread. Any Particular reason for that?

Most of the irradiated diamond threads I looked up seemed to be in the RockyTalky forum. Thought it might be more appropriate here.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Sure, this is the right place. But I have no idea who sells these. I wish you could steer her to a blue sapphire instead. My understand is that they use really poor quality diamonds to irradiate. And they just wouldn't look as good in a vintage setting as a sapphire, in my opinion.

 

[kenny]

... they may want to steer you towards real FCDs!

Personally I'd avoid the term 'real' FCDs.
Natural mined diamonds treated for color are represented as 'real' by some 'not so honest' sellers ... they are in fact real diamonds.
Though a mouthful I'd call them FCDs with both material and color of natural origin.
Many people don't know there are two things that can be natural, or not.

Since I collect them I'm probably the loudest mouth on PS when it comes to fully natural FCDs.
That said, I totally respect making, selling and wanting all 3 kinds of FCDs.
Fully natural FCDs are not superior, just a different product.

I would never try to steer anyone away from treated FCDs, but will speak out when I see attempts by sellers or buyers to blur the line between them.
They are not the same thing, as reflected in the prices.
If some people interpret objecting to blurring the line as 'steering away', that's on them.

If a guy wanted to give an irradiated blue diamond in an engagement ring but pass it off as a fully natural blue I'd certainly speak up on the ethics of that deception.
The bride may not be cool with it, just as she may not be cool with getting a white diamond that was man-made or treated to improve color or clarity.
In this case the gal said she wanted an irradiated blue so all is good.

 

[Niel]

I'd like to know if its true irradiated diamond are really poor quality. I thought I had read that they were just stones too yellow to sell as white but not yellow enough to be fancy. I mean, if it has nice clarity and a nice cut (I'm thinking of that lovely step cut three stone someone on here has) I could still see a reason to irradiate over leaving it a Q or something.

 

[kenny]

I'd like to know if its true irradiated diamond are really "poor quality, I thought I had read that they were just stones too yellow to sell as white but not yellow enough to be fancy. I mean, if it has nice clarity and a nice cut (I'm thinking of that lovely step cut three stone someone on here has) I could still see a reason to irradiate over leaving it a Q or something.

IMO 'poor quality' is not an accurate term to use here.
The diamonds chosen for irradiation have color that makes them worth less.
Irradiating them makes them worth more.
You might argue that the color was of 'poor quality'.

Clarity-wise, I've seen some irradiated diamonds with horrid clarity but some with excellent clarity.
Clarity enhancement is different from treatment for color.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Actually, there's certain characteristics that make a diamond a candidate for irradiation.
To become a blue, it must start out as a brown.
Therefore, a general statement that only poor quality stones are irradiated is not exactly accurate.

I agree with a lot of what Kenny wrote- if such stones are clearly and honestly represented, they're fine.
Unfortunately, a lot of sellers use ambiguous descriptions in an attempt to hide the nature of the treated stones.

 

[Niel]

Actually, there's certain characteristics that make a diamond a candidate for irradiation.
To become a blue, it must start out as a brown.
Therefore, a general statement that only poor quality stones are irradiated is not exactly accurate.

I agree with a lot of what Kenny wrote- if such stones are clearly and honestly represented, they're fine.
Unfortunately, a lot of sellers use ambiguous descriptions in an attempt to hide the nature of the treated stones.

I was about to tell the OP to check with vendors, including you, to see if they have access to them. But sense you're here, do you have access to irradiated stones, or is there a specific type of company one should go though? I can't think of a single vendor that sells mined irradiated diamonds.

Also, do you have to take special care to set them cold? Or am I thinking of a different type of stone (I feel like I read some type does over in the MMD sub forum)

 

[kenny]

I can't think of a single vendor that sells mined irradiated diamonds.

I see them in malls.

 

[Niel]

I can't think of a single vendor that sells mined irradiated diamonds.

I see them in malls.

I was thinking online vendor. I've seen a few in malls, but I hadn't really looked. I'd just, like other diamonds, personally probably prefer to by my diamond outside of a mall environment

 

[beaujolais]

I could still see a reason to irradiate over leaving it a Q or something.

Actually, lower colored diamonds have quite a following. See the beauty in my avitar, which is a P. Sometimes it is a white color, sometimes ivory, sometimes a light butter color. I adore that. I, myself, would not want anything above a Q.

 

[Niel]

I could still see a reason to irradiate over leaving it a Q or something.

Actually, lower colored diamonds have quite a following. See the beauty in my avitar, which is a P. Sometimes it is a white color, sometimes ivory, sometimes a light butter color. I adore that. I, myself, would not want anything above a Q.

I am aware, and I am quite fond of them as well. If it isn't a vintage cut, the desire for a Q seems to decrease, seems like.

 

[kenny]

I just googled, "loose blue diamonds".
Several online sellers came up, some selling fully natural FCDs and some selling mined, irradiated blues.
You can tell immediately by the greenish-blue color and the price.

I won't link to these sellers since I have no experience or knowledge of their reputability ... but you can google them up too.

I'd give preference to those who state clearly and prominently on the home page that what they sell is not FULLY natural.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, I guess we can have different definitions of quality. I would think a well cut, high clarity brown diamond might be sold as is. So I am thinking ideal cut stones probably aren't ones being used to be radiated. Or if the rough is radiated, I am betting not a lot of radiated rough is cut to ideal standards. But, perhaps that is not correct and there are plentiful ideal cut, high clarity radiated stones around. Can anyone provide a source for those? I assume that is what the OP is after.

Does GIA grade them, and if not, who does?

 

[Niel]

also, can you buy a stone and have it irradiated? now i know thats not something i would do without the assistance of someone who does this sort of thing, BUT, in theory, working with someone who knows what the best criteria for irradiation candidates, could you work with them, find a pre-irradiated stone thats well cut with good clarity, and irradiate it?

 

[kenny]

To the OP, here's what I'd do.

Good cut, not color or clarity, makes a diamond put on the beautiful light show.
The vast majority of white diamonds sold are not well cut.
IMO you are not going to find and irradiated blue that's well cut.

If I were you I'd buy one and send it to www.briangavindiamonds.com to get it recut.
I'd call brian now and perhaps he'll offer advice on what to look for since some diamonds are poor candidates for recutting.

 

[kenny]

also, can you buy a stone and have it irradiated? now i know thats not something i would do without the assistance of someone who does this sort of thing, BUT, in theory, working with someone who knows what the best criteria for irradiation candidates, could you work with them, find a pre-irradiated stone thats well cut with good clarity, and irradiate it?

Wouldn't the system be set up to process stones in bulk and deal only with their usual supply channels?

I may be wrong but I suspect getting a company to change their process and treat one single item for a member of the public would be expensive, that is if they'd even talk to you.

 

[Niel]

also, can you buy a stone and have it irradiated? now i know thats not something i would do without the assistance of someone who does this sort of thing, BUT, in theory, working with someone who knows what the best criteria for irradiation candidates, could you work with them, find a pre-irradiated stone thats well cut with good clarity, and irradiate it?

Wouldn't the system be set up to process stones in bulk and deal only with their usual supply channels?

I may be wrong but I suspect getting a company to change their process and treat one single item for a new customer would be expensive, that is if they'll even talk to you.

I was thinking of a place like d.nea that irradiates diamonds... but your probably right.


I wonder if GOG might be a good route. I dont know if they have any access to them, but if they did they could find you a nice one that might be a candidate for a recut, and they could evaluate and recut it there. That way, IF they had access to them, they could tell you if it was a good candidate for recut before you purchased

 

[Rockdiamond]

Actually, there's certain characteristics that make a diamond a candidate for irradiation.
To become a blue, it must start out as a brown.
Therefore, a general statement that only poor quality stones are irradiated is not exactly accurate.

I agree with a lot of what Kenny wrote- if such stones are clearly and honestly represented, they're fine.
Unfortunately, a lot of sellers use ambiguous descriptions in an attempt to hide the nature of the treated stones.

I was about to tell the OP to check with vendors, including you, to see if they have access to them. But sense you're here, do you have access to irradiated stones, or is there a specific type of company one should go though? I can't think of a single vendor that sells mined irradiated diamonds.

Also, do you have to take special care to set them cold? Or am I thinking of a different type of stone (I feel like I read some type does over in the MMD sub forum)

Thanks Niel!!

My feeling is that mixing irradiated with Non treated FCD's dilutes an inventory- especially on a website, due to the common ambiguities discussed above.
Most cutters are the same way- in fact, Debeers sightholders are prevented by contract from selling treated stones. There are other , smaller cutters that do treat some stones.

 

[AprilBaby]

Stupid question but are irradiated diamonds radioactive? If so, are they dangerous?

 

[chrono]

No, they are not radioactive, so are safe to wear. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission oversees radioactive material in the US and requires that diamonds irradiated in the U.S. to be set aside for several months to give any radioactivity a chance to decay. Imported diamonds are also scanned for radioactivity. This also holds true for other irradiated gems like blue topaz.
http://www.modernjeweler.com/web/online/Diamond-Gem-Profiles/Irradiated-Diamond/2$290

 

[blackprophet]

I can't think of a single vendor that sells mined irradiated diamonds.

Africa Gems?

Are their's MMD?

 

[Niel]

I can't think of a single vendor that sells mined irradiated diamonds.

Africa Gems?

Are their's MMD?

I looked at Africa Gems and all I found was small ones, BUT i may have missed something.

heres another little thing about them, part of the article makes it sound like that CAN be dangerous, but they get checked before hand
http://www.whiteflash.com/about-diamonds/diamond-education/are-irradiated-diamonds-safe-to.htm

 

[Rockdiamond]

also, can you buy a stone and have it irradiated? now i know thats not something i would do without the assistance of someone who does this sort of thing, BUT, in theory, working with someone who knows what the best criteria for irradiation candidates, could you work with them, find a pre-irradiated stone thats well cut with good clarity, and irradiate it?

The problem with this is that irradiation sometimes produces "surprises"- so it's not possible to know exactly how the stone will look after it's nuked.

Well, I guess we can have different definitions of quality. I would think a well cut, high clarity brown diamond might be sold as is. So I am thinking ideal cut stones probably aren't ones being used to be radiated. Or if the rough is radiated, I am betting not a lot of radiated rough is cut to ideal standards. But, perhaps that is not correct and there are plentiful ideal cut, high clarity radiated stones around. Can anyone provide a source for those? I assume that is what the OP is after.

Does GIA grade them, and if not, who does?

Hi DS!
Actually polished diamonds are irradiated, as opposed to rough.
If you look at the demographics of brown diamonds, it's easy to see why you said that- but in fact, cutting standards have improved around the world- and its possible to find much better cut quality on many brown diamonds nowadays.
Still, he market for an "ideal cut light brown" is most likely smaller than for the same stone after it's been turned blue.

EGL will grade irradiated stones.

 

[distracts]

imo, if she wants an irradiated blue diamond, a sapphire isn't gonna cut it. They look wayyyyyy too different. I think irradiated blues are cool. I would like one someday. I don't know where to buy them or anything though. I think there may be forums other than Pricescope better suited to researching that.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

also, can you buy a stone and have it irradiated? now i know thats not something i would do without the assistance of someone who does this sort of thing, BUT, in theory, working with someone who knows what the best criteria for irradiation candidates, could you work with them, find a pre-irradiated stone thats well cut with good clarity, and irradiate it?

The problem with this is that irradiation sometimes produces "surprises"- so it's not possible to know exactly how the stone will look after it's nuked.

Well, I guess we can have different definitions of quality. I would think a well cut, high clarity brown diamond might be sold as is. So I am thinking ideal cut stones probably aren't ones being used to be radiated. Or if the rough is radiated, I am betting not a lot of radiated rough is cut to ideal standards. But, perhaps that is not correct and there are plentiful ideal cut, high clarity radiated stones around. Can anyone provide a source for those? I assume that is what the OP is after.

Does GIA grade them, and if not, who does?

Hi DS!
Actually polished diamonds are irradiated, as opposed to rough.
If you look at the demographics of brown diamonds, it's easy to see why you said that- but in fact, cutting standards have improved around the world- and its possible to find much better cut quality on many brown diamonds nowadays.
Still, he market for an "ideal cut light brown" is most likely smaller than for the same stone after it's been turned blue.

EGL will grade irradiated stones.

HI, David, thanks for answering my questions! I would think the browns used for irradiation would not have been beautiful fancy light browns, though, right? Are they worth more as FLB or irradiated? I would have thought a natural untreated stone with good brown color would sell for more, and in fact, I have seen pretty ones on your site. And GOG recently offered 3 really pretty brown stones as is or for recut. Not sure if they still have them or not but I thought they were much too pretty to do something like irradiate. So I am thinking that either the color or clarity has to be too bad to keep the stone untreated?

 

[kenny]

This company sells blue diamonds in pear shape.
Since they are brown I guess they are not irradiated yet, plus the package says they are natural.

This is just nutty!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

This company sells blue diamonds in pear shape.
Since they are brown I guess they are not irradiated yet, plus the package says they are natural.

This is just nutty!

We actually EAT those! I will enjoy them more from here on out!