How Many Types of Diamonds Are There?

Basically, diamonds are classified into two categories: consumer and technical. The former is related to consumer diamond types, where the buyers knows about the precious stones’ origin, shape, and 4Cs. On the other hand, the technical diamond type deals mostly with the gemologists’ aspect of grading and scaling diamonds for its cut, colour, clarity, and carat.

While both of these diamond classifications are necessary in their own way, as a buyer knowing both of these types are in your favour. Not only would this understanding help you sort any doubts regarding diamond jewellery purchase, but it will also help understand why and how diamonds are priced higher.

Consumer Related Diamond Types

There are three consumer-related diamond types:

·         Natural Diamond Rocks: Originally, diamonds are found in nature and mined by people, and any diamond stone that originates from Earth’s crust is a natural diamond stone. They carry vast labour and price with themselves as their manufacturing processes requires billions of years. Mostly, natural diamonds are colourless (maybe with a hint of yellow shade), but there has been occurrence of coloured natural precious stones, such as red, pink, black, purple, and more, although rare.

·         Lab-created or Synthetic Diamond Stones: Similar to how natural diamonds are found in the Earth’s surface, synthetic diamond rocks are manufactured in a lab by scientists. These rocks are real and carry the same physical and chemical attributes of a natural diamond stones with just one difference: their source of origin. Even coloured diamond stones are manufactured using this process.

·         Lab-treated diamond rocks: These are the precious rock types that are found naturally, but treated in a lab to become jewellery friendly. Usually, low grade natural diamonds are treated in labs to make them suitable for gold jewellery mounting. Moreover, lab treatment is done to enhance colours of fancy coloured diamonds and improve its overall aesthetics. We suggest that you confirm the gold rate today before buying the jewellery.

Technical Diamond Types

Predominantly, there are four diamond types from technical perspective:

·         Type Ia: Diamond rocks that have a bit of yellowish colour due to cluster of trapped Nitrogen comes under this category. Type Ia diamonds are further divided into IaA and IaB; the former refers to diamond rocks having nitrogen clusters in pair, whereas the latter contains diamonds rocks with nitrogen aggregates of four atoms.

·         Type IIa: In contrast to Type I, II contains zero to negligible impurities and are valued worldwide for their brilliant colourless appearance.

·         Type Ib: Compared to Type Ia, Type Ib diamonds has a single nitrogen atom spread throughout the crystal lattice, giving it intense colours of yellow, orange, or brown.

·         Type IIb: This type of precious stones is devoid of any Nitrogen traces. However, they contain instances of Boron, that gives them bluish or greyish-blue hue.

These are the two types of diamonds, which determine their market value and demand. As a consumer, knowing both the classification hells you to make informed decision while buying diamond accessories.

For more details, you can read our comprehensive guide on diamond classification.

We would also like to turn your attention toward the latest gold coins collection on the website.