A colored stone may be a natural diamond with natural color, a natural diamond whose color was altered, a laboratory grown diamond, or a material that is not diamond at all. These are not interchangeable descriptions. Precise language protects both the collector and the integrity of the jewel.
The essential distinction
Four categories, four identities
01
Natural diamond, natural color
The crystal formed in nature and its color is the result of natural geological processes. This is the category known as a natural fancy color diamond.
Geological crystal and color02
Natural diamond, treated color
The crystal formed in nature, but its color was later changed or enhanced through human intervention.
Natural crystal, altered color03
Laboratory grown colored diamond
The crystal was grown through technology. It may display color as grown or after a subsequent treatment.
Technological crystal growth04
Diamond simulant
Moissanite, cubic zirconia and glass may imitate aspects of a diamond's appearance, but they are different materials and are not diamonds.
Not diamondA useful framework
Two independent questions
Correct classification requires separate conclusions about the crystal and its color. One answer cannot safely be inferred from the other.
How did the crystal form?
In nature beneath the earth, or through HPHT or CVD growth in a laboratory?
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How did the color form?
Through natural processes, during growth, or through later treatment?
Natural fancy color
Color written by geology
Natural diamonds formed over immense geological time. Their colors can arise from trace elements, atomic scale defects, structural deformation or natural radiation, depending on the hue. Boron is associated with many blue diamonds, nitrogen with many yellow diamonds, and distortion of the crystal lattice with many pink diamonds.
Natural crystal
Created by geological processes rather than technological growth.
Natural color
No artificial process caused or enhanced the color conclusion.
Laboratory confirmation
Both conclusions should be explicitly supported by an independent report.
Natural diamond does not automatically mean natural color
A mined diamond can be color treated. The report must establish not only that the stone is natural, but that the origin of its color is natural as well.
Treated natural diamond
A natural crystal with altered color
Color treatment can transform a pale, brownish or otherwise less desirable natural diamond into a more vivid colored stone. Common methods include irradiation, controlled heating or annealing, high pressure high temperature processing and surface coating.
01Irradiation
Creates changes in the crystal that can produce green, blue or other colors.
02Annealing
Heating may modify irradiated or existing color centers.
03HPHT processing
High pressure and heat can alter certain brown diamonds and produce other colors.
04Coating
A thin surface layer changes visible color and may require special care.
Disclosure is indispensable
A treated stone remains a natural diamond if its crystal formed in nature, but it is not a natural fancy color diamond. Its description, report and price should make that distinction unmistakable.
Laboratory grown diamond
Diamond material, technological origin
Laboratory grown diamonds have essentially the same chemical composition, crystal structure and fundamental optical and physical properties as natural diamonds. They are diamonds, not simulants. Their origin, however, is technological rather than geological.
HPHT growth
High pressure and high temperature recreate conditions that allow a diamond crystal to grow.
CVD growth
Chemical vapor deposition builds diamond in layers from a carbon rich gas.
Color status
Color may develop during growth or result from post growth treatment.
Beauty can be shared across categories. Geological rarity cannot.
Laboratory grown colored diamonds can offer saturated color at a different price level. They belong to a separate product and rarity category, and should always be described as laboratory grown.
Professional identification
The eye alone is not enough
Natural and laboratory grown diamonds may look identical under ordinary observation. Traditional diamond testers generally confirm diamond material, not geological origin. Gemological laboratories use microscopy, spectroscopy, fluorescence imaging and other advanced instrumentation to identify growth features and treatment evidence.
Undetermined color origin
In rare cases, particularly with some radiation related green or blue colors, the effects of natural and artificial processes can overlap. A laboratory may state that color origin is undetermined. Such a stone should not be represented as confirmed natural color.
Natural
Evidence supports color produced by natural processes.
Treated
Evidence supports artificial alteration or enhancement of color.
Undetermined
Available evidence does not permit a definitive origin conclusion.
Reading the document
What the report should tell you
For a natural colored diamond
- That the stone is a natural diamond
- The color grade and its components
- That color origin is natural, when determinable
- Any detected treatment or relevant comment
For a laboratory grown diamond
- That the diamond is laboratory grown
- The growth method when reported
- Whether post growth treatment was detected
- The report number and identifying inscription
A laser inscription is useful, but it should not be the only check. Counterfeit inscriptions exist. Verify the report through the issuing laboratory and confirm that its measurements, features and inscription correspond to the physical stone.
Before acquisition
A collector's verification list
- Ask whether both the diamond and its color are natural.
- Request an independent report from a respected gemological laboratory.
- Read the origin and treatment language, not only the headline color grade.
- Verify the report number directly with the issuing laboratory.
- Confirm whether any treatment affects durability or care.
- Ensure the invoice repeats the correct origin and treatment disclosure.
- Be cautious when the price is dramatically below comparable natural color diamonds.
At LAREINE, rarity begins with truth: a natural diamond, a natural color and a provenance described without ambiguity.
LAREINE specializes in natural fancy color diamonds. We believe every category should be presented accurately and respectfully, allowing the collector to choose with full knowledge of what the jewel is and what gives it value.
Scientific references
Technical guidance reviewed against current educational and laboratory information from the Gemological Institute of America on natural and laboratory grown diamonds, GIA laboratory identification guidance and GIA guidance on simulants and laboratory grown diamonds. Laboratory reports remain the authority for an individual stone.