Chameleon Diamonds: Ever-changing and Everlasting Beauty
It is not every day that we come across something that leaves us in awe. Nature and its creations can mystify with its beauty. One such creation is diamonds. Diamonds are miraculous in themselves. They are beautiful, magnificent, lucrative, and rare but have you ever heard about chameleon diamonds?
We know about coloured diamonds, they are rare and precious, but chameleon diamonds are not much talked about because they are super rare. So let's understand what they are.
What are Chameleon Diamonds?
As the name suggests, chameleon diamonds are naturally coloured diamonds that change their colours; how fascinating, right? The mystery of why and how is not yet solved. A chameleon diamond can change its colours in two conditions.
(a) after it is kept in the dark for 24 hours and then exposed to light.
(b) when heated up to 150°c.
Typically the diamonds are found in greyish yellow or green, changing their colour too intense brownish orange or yellow. However, the colour change is temporary, and the diamonds gradually return to the previous colour.
What causes the colour change?
This mystery is still not solved, but definitely, there is more than one reason. Though there is no evidence, there are various assumptions and theories. The colour-changing behaviour in response to heat is called thermochromism, and in response to light is called photochromism. These gems are believed to contain high levels of concentrated hydrogen and nitrogen, whose combination can be responsible for the effect. But there is no proof yet. These beauties are so rare and valuable that researchers find it difficult to procure them for studying and experimenting.
The History behind chameleon diamonds
The first diamond was studied at the Gemological Institute of America in 1943. The earliest mention of the colour-changing diamond goes back to 1866 by Georges Halphen - a diamond merchant in Paris. Few people knew about the value and rarity of such diamonds, and they were traded at the market value of other diamonds. We cannot even imagine how many chameleon diamonds may still be undiscovered and camouflaged in coloured ones.
Types of Chameleon Diamonds
There are two types of chameleon diamonds.
❖ Classic :
Most chameleon diamonds fall in this category. Here, the diamond changes its colour from a lighter hue to a darker one. For example, greyish-green diamond changes to bright orangish yellow. This happens in two ways. First, when the diamond is heated, and the other, when the diamond is kept in the dark for a long time. In the first case, the diamond returns to its original colour after it cools down, and the same happens in the second case when exposed to daylight. The colour shift can last from a few minutes up to an hour.
❖ Reverse :
A reverse chameleon diamond changes from a darker shade to a lighter shade. It acts opposite from the classic chameleon diamonds. The diamond changes its side to olive when kept in the dark longer than the classic ones. But one of the most interesting facts about reverse chameleon diamond is that it does not respond to heat. The diamond will hold the same colour no matter exposed to what degree of temperature.
How to spot a genuine Chameleon Diamond?
A reverse chameleon diamond changes from a darker shade to a lighter shade. It acts opposite from the classic chameleon diamonds. The diamond changes its side to olive when kept in the dark longer than the classic ones. But one of the most interesting facts about reverse chameleon diamond is that it does not respond to heat. The diamond will hold the same colour no matter exposed to what degree of temperature.
❖ Chameleon diamonds are never found in typically stronger colour intensities like vivid or intense.
❖ They are either fancy, fancy deep, or fancy dark.
❖ A chameleon diamond possesses colour fluorescence.
❖ It always comes in a combination of colours. At least two of Green, yellow, brown, and grey. It can be greenish yellow, greyish Green, brownish yellow, and so on.
How are chameleon diamonds formed?
The making of a chameleon diamond is a natural phenomenon and as mysterious as it can be. The method cannot be replicated in any circumstances to create the same effect on any other kind of gem or stone.
Usually, the colours in the diamonds are created by various compounds absorbed into the composition throughout the process. The study of spectroscopy can define the elements in the composite. But to date, there is no definite reason or theory on how the colours of the chameleon diamonds are formed and what elements cause the colour change. It can be a different process or an element that causes the phenomenon.
The Rare stones
The collectors find these mysterious gems very amusing, and they are ready to pay a hefty amount for them. These diamonds are scarce, but finding a large-sized fancy-coloured chameleon diamond is difficult to procure. Their rarity results in increased demand and henceis priced very high. According to a GIA report, there is one fancy-coloured diamond in every 3000-5000 diamonds; among them, there are chameleon diamonds. The percentage or numbers are not tracked, but it's safe to say that they are an unusual find, especially the darker hues of chameleon diamonds like olive Green, greyish Green, and brownish Green.
Famous Chameleon Diamonds
The top three well-known chameleon diamonds are:
❖ 31.32 carat, oval cut : Famously known as Chopard Chameleon Diamond, it is an absolute goliath and is amongst the largest brilliant-cut diamonds ever discovered. Currently, it is owned by a Swiss watch company that bought it in 2007.
❖ 8.04 carat, Radiant cut : This Chameleon diamond has a greyish-green hue and is currently mounted on an 18k ring of rose gold, surrounded by pink diamonds in a magnificent setting, and is said to be worth a whopping $2.1 million.
❖ 4.41 carat, triangular cut : A triangular facet diamond of grey yellowish green and superb fancy triangular cut set on the platinum base ring was sold at Christie's auction at $240000 in 2001. The look and the cut of this ring are one of a kind.
These Chameleon diamonds and their mysterious behaviour is captivating, and their beauty is alluring, which makes them one of the most desirable and precious gems in the world. Now you will know a chameleon diamond when you see one. The story and journey of each diamond are fascinating, even more so when they are so rare and hard to find. Diamonds are everlasting and are a legacy. Chameleon diamonds are everlasting with the addition of ever-changing beauty!