Green Diamonds

Green diamonds are among the rarest of all fancy colors. The green color is caused by exposure to radiation or radioactivity and is extremely unique. Natural radiation creates an external skin or surface of green color. It is uncommon for the green color to reach deep within a diamond.

Lab graders assess the natural color of green diamonds by this skin. Irradiated green diamonds are often found in the marketplace, so determining natural color for value is key. Labs may be unable to conclusively determine the natural origin of green diamonds because the cause is radiation.

Green is the color between blue and yellow, so common secondary colors in green diamonds include bluish green and yellowish green, and if the color is desaturated, grayish green or brownish green. Natural green diamonds are second to red diamonds as the world's rarest fancy color. True greens devoid of secondary hue are the most valuable among natural green diamonds. The green diamond has a very strong emotional correspondence with safety as it is the most restful color for the human eye. Green suggests both stability and endurance. Aqua green is associated with emotional healing and protection while Olive green is the traditional color of peace.

The Dresden Green is a 40.70 carat, pear shaped stone with a VS1 clarity grade. It was reported as one of the largest and finest natural green diamonds ever discovered.

The Ocean Dream The diamond is a 5.51-carat, fancy deep blue-green, shield-shaped diamond. It is the only natural diamond known with this color combination.

The Chopard Chameleon, is a 31.31ct Oval-cut diamond which appears green in bright light but looks yellow in darkness. This stone was one of the first reported by the GIA as a chameleon in the late 1950s.