PURPLE DIAMOND: The Most Elusive Diamond Color

Purple diamond was almost unheard of, but it actually exists. Though very rare and not widely known, purple diamonds do occur in nature. In fact, they are among the most sought-after and expensive fancy diamonds in the world. What are purple diamonds? And what are the chances of you laying a hand on them?

Time to read:

11 minutes

Table of Contents

Purple Diamond Outdoor — Image of purple diamond

Arrival of the Purple Diamond

Throughout history, colorless diamonds have been the most celebrated and well-known. Colored diamonds were prized too, but this did not include purple diamonds. While fancy diamonds from red through orange to blue were celebrated, the purple variety was virtually unknown. The closest that came to a purple color were mauve diamonds, which are a pale purple.

Of purple gemstones in general, the most popular was the amethyst, while the most expensive was the color-changing alexandrite.

It was not until recent decades that purple diamonds became known. When miners dug out tons of rocks and soil, sometimes they came across these stones.

Image of purple diamond among ordinary gems — Image of a purple diamond among ordinary gems

Purple diamonds are so rare and elusive that sometimes they came to light simply by accident. For example, the Supreme Purple Star, a diamond that can appear crimson or purple depending on the angle, first appeared in 2002 in London from an anonymous seller who thought it was an ordinary gemstone. This shows how difficult and unpredictable finding purple diamonds is, and how lucky and amazed anyone who sees them must feel.

What Is a Purple Diamond?

A purple diamond is a type of fancy color diamond that has a purple or violet hue. The shades of color in purple diamonds vary from faint lilac or lavender to intense, deep purple hues. Generally, the more intense and pure the color, the more rare and expensive the diamond is. Thus, vivid purple diamonds are especially sought after and can command high prices in the gem market. Purple diamonds also often have a secondary hue, such as pink or brown, which can modify their appearance and desirability.

Violet stones of different shades — Image of purple diamonds of different shades

Formed deep within the earth over the course of billions of years, purple diamonds are very rare. The color in purple diamonds comes from structural distortion in the crystal or the presence of impurities in the diamond. Crystal distortion occurs when the diamond lattice goes through deformation from the high pressure or temperature during its formation or transport to the surface. This can create vacancies in the lattice that can absorb light and produce color.

The inclusion of hydrogen in a diamond can likewise interact with light and modify its color. Some purple diamonds can also contain traces of boron, which can intensify the bluish tint in their color.

Advantages of Purple Diamond

Purple diamonds offer several unique features that make them highly desirable.

1. Rarity and Exclusivity

Purple diamonds are among the rarest of all colored diamonds. Their scarcity sets them apart from other gemstones, and makes them exclusive and highly coveted among collectors and connoisseurs. As these gemstones are exceptionally rare and valuable, owning a purple diamond also signifies a sense of distinction. Indeed, a purple diamond serves as a status symbol.

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DIAMOND COLORS

Brilliant-cut purple diamond — Image of a brilliant-cut purple diamond

2. Beauty and Elegance

Purple diamonds possess a sense of beauty and elegance that sets them apart. The color of purple diamonds is distinct and eye-catching. Varying from soft lavender to deep purple, their color is unique, and gives them a captivating allure. This color and their brilliance make them ideal centerpieces for exquisite jewelry, in which they add a touch of luxury and sophistication.

3. Symbolism

Purple is a color traditionally associated with royalty and artistry for centuries. Accordingly, purple diamonds are associated with nobility as well as wisdom and creativity.

Man in a purple toga wearing a purple diamond necklace — Image of a man in a purple toga wearing a purple stone

4. Investment Potential

Colored diamonds in general have shown significant appreciation in value over time, thus making them attractive for investors seeking tangible assets. Due to their rarity and desirability, purple diamonds can particularly be valuable pieces of investment.

5. Collectible and Heirloom Quality

The scarcity of purple diamonds makes them ideal for collectors seeking rare and unique gemstones. Owners can also cherish them as heirloom pieces passed down through generations, thus preserving their value and beauty.

6. Mystery and Allure

The rarity and limited availability of purple diamonds contribute to their sense of mystery and allure. Their intriguing origins and stunning color make them gemstones of interest and fascination.

Purple Diamond the Rarest

The biggest advantage of purple diamond is its extreme rarity. Among all colored diamonds, purple diamonds are among the rarest, making them highly sought after and prized by collectors and investors alike. It is this rarity that makes purple diamonds unique and exclusive gemstones. Their extreme rarity also makes them valuable investments, great additions to any collection, and excellent pieces of heirloom. Owing to the same rarity, purple diamonds also carry a sense of prestige and exceptional taste.

Disadvantage of Purple Diamond

While purple diamonds have several advantages, they also come with considerations that potential buyers should be aware of.

1. Extreme Rarity and Cost

The biggest disadvantage of purple diamonds is their extreme rarity, which results in exceptionally high prices. As they are among the rarest and most sought-after fancy diamonds in the world, purple diamonds can be far more expensive than the colorless variety and the other colored diamonds.

The precious among royal fabric — Image of a purple diamond among purple fabric

2. Limited Availability

There are very few known sources of purple diamonds, and they are not as widely available as other colored diamonds or gems. As a result, finding a purple diamond of a specific size, intensity of color and clarity can be a challenging task.

3. Undesirable Secondary Hues

Purple diamonds may have secondary hues that can affect their appearance and desirability. Some purple diamonds have a modifying color like pink or brown, which can make them look less pure or attractive.

4. Potential Treatments

Purple diamonds might undergo treatments to enhance or alter their color. Some purple diamonds are coated, irradiated or heated to enhance their color, but these treatments are not necessarily permanent and can be suffer damage from heat or wear. These color treatments consequently lower the value of purple diamonds, and make it immensely important for buyers to ensure that they are dealing with reputable and transparent sellers who provide accurate information about any treatments.

Mismatched purple diamond earrings — Image of mismatched purple diamond earrings

5. Limited Choices for Jewelry Design

Due to their rarity and cost, purple diamonds might have limited availability in different shapes and sizes. This scarcity could limit the design choices for jewelry settings, and make it challenging to find matching stones for intricate pieces of jewelry.

6. Investment Risks

While purple diamonds can be valuable investments, investing in rare gemstones carries inherent risks. Due to market trends, changes in consumer preferences and other economic factors, the value of colored diamonds can fluctuate over time.

7. Resale Challenges

Due to its niche market and limited pool of potential buyers, selling a purple diamond, especially a large one, might be challenging. Finding the right buyer who appreciates the rarity and value of the gemstone might take time and could affect resale liquidity.

8. Ethical Considerations

Like all diamonds, purple diamond is subject to ethical concerns. Commonly known as ‘blood diamonds,’ some diamonds bear connections with human rights abuses and funding of armed conflicts in certain regions. Additionally, diamond-mining can have adverse effects on ecosystems and local communities. The primary ethical consideration is ensuring that purple diamonds come from responsible sources through ethical means.

Purple diamond engagement ring in the jewelry box

Unreachable Purple Diamond

Purple diamond’s greatest strength is also its greatest weakness. The biggest disadvantage of a purple diamond is its extreme rarity and the resulting exorbitant cost. This scarcity is a double-edged sword since, while it contributes to the gemstone’s uniqueness and desirability, it also makes purple diamonds highly inaccessible and unaffordable for most people.

The high cost of purple diamonds is a significant deterrent for potential buyers and collectors. The prices of larger or intensely colored purple diamonds, in particular, can reach astronomical levels, making them accessible only to the most affluent collectors and investors. Such steep price tags significantly restrict the market of purple diamonds, and make them a luxury item available only to a select few. This exclusivity means that many gem enthusiasts and diamond lovers may never have the opportunity to own or even see a purple diamond in person.

Furthermore, the rarity and high cost of purple diamonds pose challenges for jewelry designers and manufacturers. Finding matching purple diamonds of the same hue, intensity and size can be exceptionally challenging, thus limiting the options in incorporating these gems into intricate and unique jewelry designs.

The precious gem in the safe — Image of a purple diamond in the safe

Due to these factors, purple diamonds are a dream rather than a feasible reality for the majority of gemstone enthusiasts. While their rarity adds to their allure, the extreme cost and limited availability of purple diamonds present powerful barriers for those who wish to own or invest in these extraordinary gemstones.

Purple Diamond Coming to Light

Despite being inaccessible, purple diamonds remain one of the most captivating gemstones in the world. Along with their beauty and unique color, the same rarity that makes natural purple diamonds out of reach also makes them exceptional and highly prized by collectors, investors and those seeking a truly extraordinary gemstone.

Moreover, though they remain very rare and elusive, there are more purple diamonds that have come to light in recent years. Some of these gems include –

Cushion-cut purple diamond — The Purple Orchid is cushion-cut purple diamond.

1. Purple Orchid Diamond

The Purple Orchid diamond is a 3.37-carat, cushion cut diamond of an intense pinkish purple. With a vivid color seldom seen in nature, the Purple Orchid is one of the rarest and most valuable diamonds in the world. Discovered in an undisclosed mine in South Africa, the Purple Orchid sold to Leibish & Co., a company that specializes in fancy color diamonds, and underwent four months of cutting and polishing to reveal its true beauty. Valued at $4 million, the Purple Orchid first appeared in 2014 at the Hong Kong Jewelry and Gem Fair.

Heart-shaped bluish purple diamond — The Royal Purple Heart is a heart-shaped purple diamond.

2. Royal Purple Heart

The Royal Purple Heart is a 7.34-carat, heart-cut diamond of a violet color. The largest vivid-purple diamond known to exist, the Royal Purple Heart has a pure vivid color seldom seen in nature. The stone obtained the name Royal Purple Heart on account of its color and shape, both of which are unique to this stone. Discovered in a Russian mine, the Royal Purple Heart sold to the Julius Klein Diamond Corporation, who gave the rough stone a heart shape.

Brilliant-cut stone in fingers — The Supreme Purple Star is a brilliant-cut purple diamond.

3. Supreme Purple Star

The Supreme Purple Star is a round brilliant-cut, intense-purple diamond weighing between 2 to 5 carats. The exact weight, color and clarity of the diamond have not been revealed, but it is considered to be unique for more than one reason. The diamond has a remarkable color-changing effect, where it can appear crimson or purple depending on the angle and lighting. It is one of the few diamonds that display both purple and red colors, which are the rarest and most valuable colors in diamonds. With an unknown origin and history, the diamond was first revealed in 2002 in London by an anonymous seller who thought it was an ordinary gemstone.

Lady wearing a large purple diamond necklace

Growing Popularity of the Rare Purple Diamond

The Purple Orchid, the Royal Purple Heart and the Supreme Purple Star are some of the stunning and unique gems that showcase the beauty and mystery of purple diamonds. They are among the few stones that came to light in recent years, informing people that purple diamonds do exist. Still, these gems represent a very small fraction of the overall production of diamonds. Purple diamonds are truly remarkable gems that fascinate people both with their beauty and their rarity.

Article published

July 24, 2023 8:59 PM UTC

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The author wrote this article as part of his research for a forthcoming book about diamonds. ‘Diamonds, Their Magic and History’, is still a work in progress, but his existing publication is ready for readers to enjoy.

About the Author

Jomar Pandan

Jomar ‘Deomar’ Pandan is the author of Power Birthstone. He’s on the fourth draft of a high-fantasy novel, Cybelym, and the first of a historical fiction, Gem Faerie. He hopes to release a nonfiction book about diamond soon. Follow him for updates. Or see his jewelry and designs.