Buying a naturally occurring pink diamond can be a huge investment opportunity. However, distinguishing between a naturally coloured diamond and a synthetic one can be quite critical. You might have heard of the 4Cs which are the primary evaluation factors for diamonds in general, however, these factors are applied quite differently in case of coloured diamonds as compared to their colourless variety. Australian pink diamonds mined from the regions of Western Australia are one of the most valuable assets for investment. However, here is a guide that will help you discern amongst the many options to find investment grade pink diamonds for your collection.
Carat
The weight of pink diamonds is measured in carats. The calculation is based on 1 metric carat is roughly equivalent to 200 mg. The carat can be further divided into 100 points for more precise measurements of the stone. The smaller diamonds, those that weigh below a single carat are measured in points. However, the value of pink diamonds above 1-3 carats is quite high due to their extreme rarity to be found naturally occurring but do not set everything by the carat weight. You need to ensure the compliance of the other 3 Cs before you can declare a stone investment-worthy.
Table of Contents
Colour
The colour of pink diamonds subtly differentiates the stones into 4 major categories. The deep purplish pink, pink, rose shade of pink and champagne shade of pink are all naturally occurring shades that are quite popular for both investment and accessory styling purposes. However, the rule of thumb is the deeper the colour the more valuable the pink diamond is over the course of time. The value of the diamond proportionally rises as the number of secondary colours decreases for the stone. In fact, a stone with zero primary colour will hold a disproportionately high value as compared to any other pink diamond within the same carat, cut and clarity category.
Cut
The cut of the coloured diamond should highlight the brilliance of the colour and does not have much to do with the facets of shine as is the case with colourless diamonds. The cut of the pink diamonds should also be laser-precise to avoid chipping away too much of the stone to allow for carat point maintenance. Natural shapes of round and oval are preferred over artificial cuts such as heart-shaped and princess cut pink diamonds.
Clarity
The blemishes within a pink diamond are tested on a laxer standard as compared to colourless diamonds. You need to test for the occurrence of inclusions, secondary colours and any other disparaging factors that might disturb the true primary colour of the stone. Remember, the inclusions for coloured diamonds can be greater than colourless diamonds and it can still hold its value because the pink colour successfully hides many inclusions within its hue.
Finally, make sure that your pink diamonds are supported by true certifications that authenticate the 4Cs tested for the stones. The ID of the diamond should be etched on its side through a laser inscription so that the valuation stands true for all times.