Can a Diamond Be Red?

Yes, it is possible for diamonds to display a natural vibrant red color, although these extraordinary red diamonds are exceptionally rare treasures. Let‘s explore what makes red diamonds so special.

Roughly 130 million carats of diamonds are mined each year globally [1]. Yet out of all of those millions of diamonds, only a handful will possess a strong natural red color. In fact, fewer than 30 verified red diamonds are known to exist worldwide [2]!

To give you an idea of just how uncommon red diamonds are, you have a better chance of being struck by lightning in your lifetime than seeing one of these rarities up close [3]. The unusual set of circumstances required to produce red color means very few diamonds exhibit this phenomenon naturally.

How Do Natural Red Diamonds Form?

But how does the diamond, which we normally think of as colorless, turn such a vivid red in the first place?

The answer lies deep underground where diamonds form. Diamonds originate approximately 90-120 miles below the earth‘s surface, where tremendous heat and pressure crystallize carbon into diamond [4]. As the diamond crystal grows, small structural irregularities or deformations can sometimes occur. These deformations alter the way light passes through the crystal structure [5].

In ordinary colorless diamonds, light passes through unimpeded. But in red diamonds, the crystal lattice defects act like a filter, scattering all light except for red. It takes very specific atomic defects to produce this effect. Even a slight variation in the deformity results in other colors like pink or purple rather than red [6].

As you can see, Mother Nature does not make it easy to produce red diamonds. The chances are infinitesimally small that just the right conditions align to result in that dazzling crimson color. While you might unearth millions of colorless diamonds or thousands of blues and yellows in a given year, red diamonds occur in quantities of less than 10 carats annually worldwide. It‘s no wonder they are the rarest diamond color by far!

Stories of Famous Red Diamonds

The rarity and mystery around red diamonds has cultivated a special lore around the most famous specimens acquired over the years. Here are the stories behind some of the largest and most celebrated red diamonds known:

The Moussaieff Red Diamond – At 5.11 carats, this fiery crimson diamond is the largest known red diamond in the world. Its discovery is something of a fairytale story. In the 1990s, a Brazilian farmer found a 13.9 carat rough diamond and traded it for a used truck. The rough stone traveled through several buyers and cutters before being expertly cut into the "Moussaieff Red" with a triangular brilliant cut by the William Goldberg company. It was originally named the "Red Shield" as an homage to the Moussaieff family‘s ancestry. The Moussaieff Red was auctioned at Sotheby‘s in 2001 for $8 million to an anonymous buyer [7].

The Kazanjian Red Diamond – This 5.05 carat red diamond has a rich history tracing back to the 1920s. Originally found as an unpolished 35 carat stone in South Africa, it was eventually purchased and cut by Kazanjian Bros., renowned jewelers in New York. The result was the eye-catching round brilliant red diamond. The stone was held in a private collection for decades before being auctioned in 2007. After fierce phone bidding between collectors, it sold for $3.3 million to Kimi Green, wife of well-known magician David Copperfield [8].

The De Young Red Diamond – As the first known red diamond ever discovered, this 5.03 carat pear-shaped stone sparked the intrigue around red diamonds in the late 1800s. The De Young Red was found around 1890 in South Africa near the Orange River and acquired by philanthropist A.H. de Young. Today, the legendary diamond is on display at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles [9].

As you can see, large red diamonds over 5 carats are extraordinarily scarce, with most of the known specimens weighing less than 1 carat. When such a rare stone does go to auction, it fetches record-setting prices thanks to frenzied bidding between collectors looking to own one of the world‘s rarest gems.

How Red Diamonds Differ from Rubies

You may be wondering how an extraordinarily red diamond differs from a ruby, which also displays a rich red color. While the hue may appear similar, rubies and red diamonds have distinctly different physical properties.

True red diamonds are comprised of pure crystallized carbon, just like colorless diamonds. The vivid red color results from the internal crystal lattice deformities that alter how the diamond interacts with light.

Rubies, on the other hand, are a mineral form of corundum, not diamond. The red color in rubies comes from trace amounts of the element chromium dispersed through the stone. This chromium gives rubies their signature fiery glow.

If examined carefully, a red diamond‘s color will often look diffused, with subtle gradations and softer edges compared to the more intense, concentrated red of rubies [10]. And advanced testing can easily distinguish the different chemical composition between diamond and corundum stones. So while both are captivating red gems, red diamonds and rubies each have their own highly prized characteristics.

Just How Valuable are Natural Red Diamonds?

Given their premier rarity, the value of top quality natural red diamonds often surpasses other fancy colors. On a price per carat basis, red diamonds average around $1-2 million per carat for stones over 1 carat, according to recent auction sales [11].

To give you an idea, that means a 1 carat red diamond could sell for over $1 million! The primary value factors are:

• Carat Weight – Larger red diamonds are exponentially more rare and valuable. Even a small increase in carat size escalates prices due to their scarcity.

• Color Grade – Vivid, pure red colors with minimal secondary hues command the highest values. Faint reds are less desirable.

• Clarity – Internally flawless or "loupe clean" red diamonds are unheard of. Minor inclusions are expected.

• Cut Quality – Precision cutting is needed to maximize the dispersion of red light.

• Source – Red diamonds from renowned mines like Argyle tend to attract higher bids.

As an example, consider the 5.11 carat Moussaieff Red Diamond that sold for $8 million in 2001, equating to over $1.5 million per carat. A red diamond of that prodigious size and quality is so exceptionally rare that collectors consider it a privilege just to have the opportunity to own a legend.

Natural vs Lab-Grown Red Diamonds

With such staggering prices for natural stones, you may be wondering about man-made alternatives. Lab-created diamonds have the same chemical structure as mined diamonds, so producing red colors is more viable synthetically.

However, experienced gemologists use advanced spectroscopy and microscopy to detect the subtle differences between lab-grown and natural red diamonds. Cut quality and inclusions may also be telling signs. Make sure to buy red diamonds with certification from respected labs like GIA to authenticate natural origin.

While man-made reds offer an alternative, nothing quite compares to the prestige of a certified natural red diamond formed over billions of years beneath the earth‘s surface. These extraordinary diamonds endure as eternal symbols of passion, power and prosperity reserved only for the world‘s most discerning collectors.

I hope this guide gave you insight into just how special red diamonds are! To recap:

• Natural red diamonds are exceptionally rare, with about 30 authenticated specimens known globally.

• Specific structural anomalies during formation impart the red color via light dispersion effects.

• Red diamonds can cost over $1 million per carat due to their extreme rarity.

• They differ from rubies in their chemistry and subtlety of color.

• Larger, more saturated reds from noteworthy mines bring record prices at auction.

Owning one of these limited treasures represents an accomplishment that only a handful of collectors can claim. Red diamonds uphold a centuries-long intrigue thanks to their unparalleled blending of romance, prestige and investment value.