Natural green diamonds possess a captivating allure, their exquisite coloration shaped beneath the Earth's surface through the influence of gamma radiation.
Interestingly, this natural phenomenon can also be replicated in a laboratory setting, making it challenging to definitively distinguish between natural and processed green diamonds.
Surface stains, particularly in green and brown hues, may hint at a diamond's natural color, yet certainty about the origin of the green tint remains elusive. The spectrum of green diamond tones varies, displaying a range of intensities.
Typically, natural green diamonds fall into the IA type, characterized by higher nitrogen content and a pronounced N3 color center.
The world's green diamonds are categorized into eight types based on color intensity. Progressing from left to right, these include micro-green, micro-light green, light green, light color green, medium color green, strong color green, brilliant color green, and deep color green, each offering a unique visual appeal.
Tsavorite, scientifically known as Chromium-Vanadium Calcium-Aluminum Garnet, emanates a delicate green hue attributed to traces of Chromium and Vanadium. Originating from the Tsavor National Park in Kenya, tsavorite's recent discovery renders it relatively immune to counterfeiting methods, making it a rare gemstone in the market.
Despite the challenges in mining, tsavorite stands out with its high brightness, clarity, and intense color saturation, gaining popularity and witnessing a gradual price increase.
Tourmaline, a vibrant gemstone with a spectrum of colors, includes green tourmaline, with Brazil, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar being its primary sources. While the hardness of tourmaline closely aligns with emerald, the price difference between high-quality green tourmaline and emerald remains significant.
Visible differences, such as emeralds' richer color and livelier light perception, distinguish these gemstones, alongside emerald's more pronounced inclusions and predominantly square-cut structure.
Chrome Tourmaline, the only gemstone-bearing variety of tourmaline, has recently gained prominence. Praised as the sister stone of emerald due to its crystal clarity and emerald green color, this gemstone holds unique characteristics.
Despite its various origins and lower hardness, chrome tourmaline offers a cost-effective alternative to tsavorite, presenting a slightly darker hue at a more affordable price point.
Green crystal, a variant of silicon dioxide, possesses a rare production occurrence due to the presence of magnesium and iron compounds. Although artificial green crystals flood the market, genuine natural green crystals are exceptionally scarce.
Noteworthy varieties like green ghost and green hair crystal often showcase green inclusions within an otherwise colorless and transparent crystal. Thus, the prevalence of green transparent crystals in the market is often a result of treatment, with many being synthetic.
The enigmatic allure of natural green diamonds, forged by underground gamma radiation, poses an ongoing challenge in distinguishing authenticity from laboratory-produced counterparts. Surface stains, like green and brown hues, offer subtle clues, yet the precise origin of the green tint remains elusive.
Green diamonds, predominantly of the IA type with heightened nitrogen content, exhibit a nuanced spectrum of shades, adding to their mystique. Categorized into eight types based on color intensity, these diamonds offer a visual feast, ranging from micro-green to deep color green.
The emergence of tsavorite, with its Chromium-Vanadium Calcium-Aluminum Garnet composition, from Kenya's Tsavor National Park adds a new dimension to the gemstone market. Chrome Tourmaline, celebrated as emerald's sister stone, garners attention for its crystal clarity and emerald green brilliance, offering a compelling alternative to tsavorite.
