Blue diamonds are considered the most valuable variety of diamond. While there are myriad blue diamond’s with different shades, the one with deep blue hue is the rarest, and it is truly a beautiful creation by nature.
As coloured diamonds have gained popularity in the recent past, blue diamond rings are a sought-after option amongst the brides. They are extremely durable and scratch-resistant, making an ideal option for daily wear. The fire and sparkle it offers are quite unmatchable with any other gemstone. In addition, it makes a perfect centrepiece stone. From a symbolic standpoint, blue diamonds represent faith and purity, and an enduring symbol of true love.
Furthermore, it is believed to have miraculous powers to remove any negative energy and solve any dispute. Therefore, proposing your beloved with a blue diamond ring shows how much you value the relationship, thus making it a great option for engagement rings.
The value and prestige of wearing a blue diamond ring is truly high. Although it is quite expensive to buy, there are even man-made blue diamonds that are available in many diamond jewellery shops. They are less expensive. It is hard to distinguish the difference between the natural blue diamond and the man-made diamond.
Among the 4C’s, the cut is one of the important aspects to grade colourless diamonds, for coloured diamonds, colour plays an important role. It is difficult to evaluate the blue diamond with its colour; however, the valuation depends on three aspects, hue, tone, and saturation.
Hue: It is the visible colour of the stone. As with blue diamonds, secondary colours like green or grey are part of it. The more dominant these secondary colours; the stone colour will be affected. Pure blue diamonds are highly expensive.
Tone: Tone is defined by the weight and strength of the stone. Lighter and stronger stone is more expensive and rare. A dark colour will resemble a black diamond, whereas light colour will not be vivid. Therefore, you must choose a stone that is neither too dark nor too light.
Saturation: This refers to the intensity of the stone. The more deep and vivid the diamond stone looks, the more expensive it is.
While blue diamonds are an excellent option for engagement rings, you can even go for blue sapphire or aquamarine diamond stones. They look incredible when set in white gold metal.
Finding a blue diamond is quite difficult because of its rarity. However, at Diamond Story, we have the rarest collections of diamond rings, necklaces, pendants, earrings and more.
The rarity of blue diamond, combined with its breathtaking color, has propelled this gem to the forefront of popularity and desire among collectors. Yet its history also intertwines with tales of misfortune, tragedy and rumored curses. Join us as we dive into the intriguing world of blue diamonds and explore their formation, historical significance and the riveting stories surrounding these extremely rare gems.
The start of stories about blue diamonds centers mostly on the monarchy of France. It was in the possession of the French monarchy that the biggest blue diamond in the world obtained widespread fame.
Before this world-renowned diamond entered the royal treasury, the French monarchy was a symbol of opulence, grandeur and influence over European affairs.
Influential monarchs reigned during this period. King Louis XIV, in particular, was a powerful ruler known for his grand pursuit of wealth and prestige. He embodied the epitome of royal authority, and his lavish court showcased his opulence. His patronage of the arts also elevated French culture to new heights. Louis XIV was a symbol of absolute power and the embodiment of an era of grandeur and ambition.
The fate of the French monarchy changed after a great blue diamond entered their court. This mysterious diamond came through the hands of Tavernier, a renowned gem merchant who had extensive connections and dealings in the gem trade. During his trips to India, he acquired a collection of remarkable gemstones, including a huge blue diamond of exceptional color and beauty. Upon returning to France, Tavernier sold the unique blue diamond to King Louis XIV, who added the exotic gem to his magnificent crown jewels. The king and the monarchs after him often wore this marvelous jewel, which became a symbol of their wealth and power.
King Louis XIV himself likely had limited knowledge of the actual nature of blue diamonds. In the 17th century, understanding of gemology, including the properties of diamond, was not as advanced as it is today. In fact, scientists would not fully learn of the true nature of blue diamonds until the 20th century, when scientific advancements allowed for a deeper understanding of gemological properties. Not until this century did scientists substantially understand how diamonds formed. What exactly is a blue diamond, and how is it different in makeup from the traditional white crystals?
Diamond is a gemstone composed of pure carbon, where most other gems are compounds. Diamonds form deep within the Earth’s mantle under intense heat and pressure. It is through volcanic eruptions that the crystals come to the surface.
While diamonds are best known for their colorless or white appearance, a small percentage of diamonds occurs in a blue color. This blue hue comes from the presence of boron within the crystal. When light enters a blue diamond, it interacts with boron atoms, which absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect the blue color back to the eyes. This blue hue ranges in shades from light to deep blue, with highly saturated blue diamonds being particularly rare and valuable.
It is no surprise that Louis XIV bought Tavernier’s blue diamond. This gem offers several advantages, which make them highly desirable. What exactly made the king of France pay not only money, but also a title of nobility to the traveling merchant? There are quite a few possible reasons.
Blue diamonds possess a stunning beauty. Their unique coloration makes them stand out and create a memorable impression. Their rich blue hue also evokes a sense of elegance and sophistication.
Blue diamonds are one of the rarest of colored diamonds. They occur only as a small percentage of all diamonds mined worldwide. With their scarcity and varying shades, each blue diamond is unique. Their rarity adds to their allure, thus making them highly coveted by collectors and enthusiasts.
Blue is often associated with qualities such as tranquility, depth and stability. Blue diamonds thus symbolize calmness, trust and inner strength. They can be meaningful gifts to mark significant milestones with, or express deep affection.
High-quality blue diamonds have demonstrated a strong investment potential. As rare gemstones, their value can appreciate over time, thus making them attractive to investors. Blue diamonds with intense, evenly distributed color and exceptional clarity, in particular, tend to command higher prices in the market.
Blue diamonds appear in various types of jewelry, including engagement rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets. Their versatility allows for creative and unique designs, making them suitable for different occasions and personal styles.
Blue diamonds tend to be more expensive than their colorless counterparts. Consequently, blue diamonds are associated with luxury and exclusivity. Owning a blue diamond can be a symbol of prestige, sophistication and refined taste. Collectors, connoisseurs and those who appreciate rare and exceptional gems thus often favored the blue diamond.
Due to its exceptional rarity and beauty, the blue diamond stands preeminently among the different colors of diamond. Their rarity contributes to their allure and high market value. Their rich blue coloration also sets them apart. Yet another reason why the blue diamond towers among the different varieties of diamond is their historical significance. Blue diamonds have adorned the crown jewels of monarchies throughout history, and have accordingly obtained deep association with royalty. All these factors contribute to the preeminence of blue diamonds, thus making them highly sought after and valuable.
Yet a blue diamond is not without its disadvantages, though these are not necessarily as bad as those rumored of the French Blue Diamond.
Blue diamonds are among the rarest and most valuable of colored diamonds. They tend to come with higher price tags compared to colorless or other colored diamonds. The intense demand and limited supply contribute to their premium prices.
Assessing and grading the color of blue diamonds can be more challenging compared to colorless diamonds. The intensity, hue and evenness of the blue color vary, making it more difficult to determine their exact quality and value.
Blue diamonds with a highly saturated color are exceptionally rare. Finding a blue diamond with intense uniform coloration can be challenging, which further adds to both their rarity and cost.
Some blue diamonds undergo treatments to improve their color or clarity. Since enhancements are common in the diamond industry, consumers need proper disclosure from sellers to learn of the actual status of a treated or natural blue diamond.
The blue color may not appeal to everyone’s taste. Some individuals may prefer the classic beauty of colorless diamonds or opt for other colored gemstones that align more with their personal preferences.
Due to their rarity, finding a specific blue diamond of desired size and quality, whether pale or intense, can be more challenging compared to other colored diamonds. It may require more extensive searching to find the perfect blue diamond.
Arguably the biggest disadvantage when it comes to blue diamonds is their inaccessibility. While they are beautiful, blue diamonds are also quite inaccessible. In consequence, few people had actually laid their eyes on a blue diamond, especially in the past. The limited number of blue diamonds found, combined with high demand for the stones, results in their restricted availability to the general public.
This exclusivity adds to their allure, but also makes them less accessible to individuals who may desire to own one or appreciate its beauty. Still, this rarity has historically made blue diamond a gemstone reserved for the privileged few, thus enhancing both their mystique and desirability.
A grave disadvantage specifically attached to a particular blue diamond is the tales of misfortune that the diamond supposedly brings to its owner. For a time, the members of the French royal family were the most famous for owning a magnificent blue diamond. Yet one popular story connects the supposed curse of the French Blue Diamond to the fall of the monarchy. King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, who were in possession of the diamond during the French Revolution, supposedly suffered ill fate as a result. The diamond brought them misfortune and tragedy, ultimately leading to their execution and the collapse of the monarchy.
The rarity of blue diamonds made such a belief conceivable not just of the French Blue, but of all blue diamonds. For a long time, there was practically only one blue diamond famously known, and the curse attached to it became a popular narrative that could be associated with diamonds of similar color, thus expanding this peculiar belief into a broader notion that all blue diamonds carry a curse.
Of course, such stories of ill luck are purely speculative. The prevalence of these tales merely demonstrates the enduring power of stories and the human fascination with the mysterious and the unknown. In the end, these stories lacked concrete evidence, and were simply part of fabulous tales surrounding the French Blue Diamond.
The fall of the French monarchy, in fact, was a result of the culmination of various factors – including social inequality, political discontent and the changing ideals of the time – and could not ensue solely from a curse associated with a gemstone.
Still, despite their grim nature, there were benefits that resulted from the tales of misfortune surrounding the French Blue, which surfaced as the Hope Diamond after an infamous heist. The stories heightened public fascination with the Hope Blue Diamond, thus making the diamond even more intriguing and desirable to collectors, historians and gem enthusiasts. In fact, the ensuing fame made the blue diamond a tourist attraction, drawing crowds to exhibitions featuring the gem. In the end, this reputation of mystique and the diamond’s unique history raised its desirability and market value, ultimately making it an important and one of the most valuable gemstones in the world.
In truth, there were other blue diamonds besides the Hope. They came to light in the mines, and gradually captured people’s attention. In the wake of the 19th-century discovery of diamonds in South Africa, more blue diamonds became available. Hence, the gem became more accessible to a wider audience.
Occasionally the blue stones appeared in high-profile sales, attracting media coverage and public interest. They appeared in exhibitions at renowned museums and galleries. As these stones gained visibility through various channels, they became part of our collective knowledge concerning the gem, and expanded the understanding of blue diamonds beyond the Hope Diamond.
Not all these blue diamonds have malevolent stories attached to them. Each blue diamond has its own unique history and provenance, and while one infamously has tales of curses haunting it, others do not.
In truth, blue diamonds carry various symbolic meanings across different cultures, and were not limited to the dark lore of the Hope Diamond. As more blue diamonds came to people’s knowledge, they bore stories that are brighter, more optimistic.
Blue is often associated with the soothing qualities of water and the vastness of the sky, thus symbolizing serenity and a connection to the spiritual realm. The mesmerizing blue hue of a diamond therefore can evoke a sense of calmness, tranquility and inner peace.
The depth and purity of the blue color are associated with inner wisdom, intuition and a deep understanding of oneself and the world. Blue diamonds can thus come across as a representation of spiritual awareness, enlightenment and higher consciousness.
Blue bears association with clear communication and self-expression. Blue diamonds hence supposedly enhance effective communication, articulate thoughts and emotions, and encourage open and honest expression.
Blue is commonly associated with qualities of loyalty, trust and faithfulness. Blue diamonds can thus symbolize trustworthiness, reliability and enduring relationships. They make great tokens of love, loyalty and commitment.
A related meaning attached to blue diamonds is the concept of eternal love. Since this color is associated with loyalty, fidelity and sincerity of emotions, blue diamonds often symbolize deep, everlasting love and commitment.
This meaning of blue diamonds as a representation of love is prevalent in popular culture and societal norms. This contributed to the enduring appeal of blue diamonds as a meaningful choice for special occasions and relationships. Representing a strong and enduring bond, blue diamonds are frequently chosen as engagement rings or wedding bands. The rarity and beauty of blue diamonds further enhance their significance as a symbol of precious and everlasting love.
Contemporary fascination with blue diamonds continues to grow. These blue gems have become highly coveted in today’s market. Due to this demand and their rarity, blue diamonds command astronomical prices. With their exceptional beauty and rarity, blue diamonds simply captivate the attention of investors, collectors and gem enthusiasts.
The author penned this article as part of his research for a book about diamond. ‘Diamond, its Magic and History’ is still in progress and will take some time to complete. In the meantime, you can explore his other publication, which delves into the fascinating realm of birthstones and zodiac gems.