Green Diamonds Uncovered: The Rarity, Science & Beauty of a Gemstone Like No Other

What are green diamonds, where do they come from, and why are people worldwide falling in love with them?

Making up less than 0.1% of all fancy colored diamonds, green diamonds are among the rarest of the rare, which makes them one of the most valuable diamonds in the world. 

What does that mean? It means that for every 10,000 fancy-colored diamonds that are discovered, fewer than 10 of them will be green. Of those 10 green diamonds, Fancy Vivid Green diamonds such as the famous Dresden Green are even rarer, but what makes green diamonds green, and why are they so rare?

If green is your favorite gemstone color, check out May’s Gemstone of the Month, the Emerald, where we look at this luxurious and highly sought-after green gemstone.

Where Do Green Diamonds Get Their Color From?

Most colored diamonds get their color from the introduction of additional elements during their formation. For example, if carbon is replaced with nitrogen or boron in the diamond’s crystal lattice, you could end up with either a yellow or blue diamond. However, green colored diamonds are a little bit different.

The colour of green diamonds is typically a result of exposure to radioactive minerals or fluids present during the diamond’s natural lifecycle or due to artificial irradiation in a laboratory. The radiation bumps the carbon atoms in the crystal structure out of place, leaving a vacant space and causing the green color. In some cases, nitrogen, nickel, and hydrogen impurities can also cause the green color, but it’s not as common.

Surprisingly, this irradiation doesn’t happen deep within the Earth. After diamonds are formed deep underground and pushed to the surface, they’re exposed to minerals such as uranium or thorium. Over time, thousands or even millions of years, this exposure to radiation causes the diamonds to change color.

What Role Does Surface Staining Play?

A very distinctive feature of green diamonds that have been irradiated is green ‘surface stains’ on the rough surface of the diamond. Under magnification, small, distinct spots may mark where radioactive mineral grains touched the diamond’s surface, unlike irregular ‘blotches or stains’ that are more commonly associated with radioactive fluids. This type of damage is the result of Alpha particles. These particles don’t penetrate deep into the surface of the diamond; instead, they stain the gemstone’s surface.

Green Diamonds Vs. Chameleon Diamonds

Under standard lighting, chameleon diamonds may appear either yellow/green or green, but when exposed to heat or kept in the dark, they can shift their color to an orange/brown hue.

Unlike regular green diamonds, chameleon diamonds don’t get their color from exposure to irradiation, and their color-changing abilities are more closely linked to exposure to nitrogen, hydrogen, and nickel impurities present in their formation. However, the exact reason behind their ability to change color depending on heat and exposure to light is unknown.

While chameleon diamonds may appear to be green at times, they’re categorized separately because of their molecular properties. Although they’re considered extremely rare and collectible, they’re not true green diamonds.

Natural Vs. Artificial Green Diamonds

Natural irradiation produces truly stunning, vivid green colors, but that process can also be duplicated in a laboratory setting by utilizing electrons, gamma rays, or neutrons to create vacancies in the diamond’s crystal lattice and deliver a green color to natural diamonds.

Don’t worry, there’s no residual radiation left after the procedure, and the diamond is as safe to wear and handle as a natural green diamond.

Both methods produce a similar green color and are caused by a similar process, but one is done naturally and the other is done in a laboratory setting. While the diamond's history can sometimes determine which process caused its coloration, it's often difficult to determine how it acquired its green color. Because this impacts the diamond's value, it's essential to ensure proper certification that clearly denotes the source of its coloration.

Famous Fancy Green Diamonds

Below are some of the world’s most famous green diamonds.

The Dresden Green Diamond

Weighing an impressive 41 carats, the Dresden Green Diamond is the world’s largest polished green diamond. Featuring a rare pear-cut, the Dresden Green Diamond boasts a VS1 clarity rating and uniform green shade throughout. Thought to have originally come from India, the diamond first appeared in historical records in 1772 and remains one of the most well-known green diamonds in existence today.

The Aurora Green Diamond

The Aurora Green Diamond is a 5.03 Fancy Vivid Green diamond. It smashed sales records in 2016 when it sold at a Christie’s auction for a massive $16.8 million, or $3.3 million per carat, setting a new standard for green diamonds’ value.

The Gruosi Green

Taking its name from its owner, jeweler Fawaz Gruosi, the Gruosi Green is a 25-carat cushion-cut diamond and is the second-largest polished green diamond in the world. Before cutting and polishing, the original rough diamond came close to weighing almost 100 carats. However, to achieve the perfect cut and polish, almost 70% of the diamond was cut away to leave an almost flawless finish.

The Chopard Chameleon 

The Chopard Chameleon Diamond, weighing 31 carats, is the world’s largest known chameleon diamond, with beautiful yellow, brown, and green colors. 

Green Diamond FAQs 

Are green diamonds real diamonds? Yes! Green diamonds are natural diamonds. However, some green diamonds get their green coloration naturally, while others are artificially altered in a laboratory. Natural green diamonds are the most expensive and highly sought-after.

Is it safe to wear green diamonds? Yes! Green diamonds are 100% safe to wear. Despite being exposed to radioactive material during their formation, green diamonds are not radioactive.

Are green diamonds rare? Green diamonds are one of the rarest gemstones in the world, and natural green diamonds with pure green colors are even rarer.

What is a chameleon diamond? A chameleon diamond is a unique type of diamond that changes color as it’s exposed to light or heat, often shifting between green, yellow, and brown.

Could a green diamond be used as an engagement ring? Of course! In fact, Jennifer Lopez’s second engagement ring from Ben Affleck was a large green diamond ring, estimated to be a radiant-cut 8.5-carat gemstone surrounded by two half-moon accent diamonds.

Do you need assistance picking out the perfect piece of green diamond jewelry, or want to create your own piece of custom green diamond jewelry? Please don’t hesitate to contact our experienced team at deBoulle Diamond & Jewelry.

Discover our stunning collection of high-end jewelry in Dallas and Houston at deBoulle Diamond & Jewelry, featuring exquisite diamond engagement rings and luxury timepieces perfect for that special proposal. Visit us in-store or explore our selection online, and don’t hesitate to contact our expert staff with any questions or to view these magnificent pieces in person.