A Closer Look at
The Rarest of the Rare Diamonds
We are thrilled to present The Perfect Jewelry Box: Jewels from an Impressive Southern California Collection taking place on 8 March in New York. This truly spectacular auction offers collectors a chance to own the rarest of the rare in diamonds, with three magnificent rings featuring Type IIa, D colour diamonds.
Here, Caroline Morrissey, Head of Jewellery in New York, explains the rarity of these impressive diamonds and why they are coveted by collectors across the globe.
"Once you have seen a D colour diamond, they are hard to forget."
The Rarest Rating
Making up less than 2% of all natural diamonds, natural Type IIa diamonds are incredibly rare and display exceptional transparency.
These diamonds have no measurable nitrogen or boron impurities. Diamonds are, essentially, pure carbon but many contain trace elements such as nitrogen or boron. Such elements are naturally acquired during their formation in the earth, under immense pressure and extreme temperatures, in the earth’s core.
However, Type IIa diamonds have negligible impurities of any kind, which means that light can easily pass through the diamond and bounce back to the beholder's eye, producing a stunning, colourless appearance. Simply put, they are the most pure diamonds known to exist.
Type IIa diamonds were first identified as originating from India—specifically from the fabled Golconda region—but have since been found across the world. Many famous diamonds such as the world's largest cut diamond, the Cullinan, and the Koh-i-Noor are Type IIa diamonds.
These diamonds remain highly sought after by serious collectors. Type IIa diamonds do not frequently cross the auction block, but when they do they continue to achieve staggering results, as seen with New York's Superb Diamond Ring (sold for $1.8 million) and London's Magnificent Diamond Ring (sold for £1.9 million).
The Importance of Colour
Coupled with the intrinsic rarity these diamonds derived from their type IIa rating, their D colour makes them even more desirable among astute collectors. D colour diamonds are the highest on the colour scale, as they have no discernable colour; they appear colourless, both when viewed with the naked eye and under magnification.
Contrary to what most people assume, almost all diamonds have a hint of colour, even if it is minuscule; their pigmentation may range from a very slight tint, invisible to the naked eye, to more pronounced tints which are visible without magnification. D colour diamonds are scarce and only a tiny percentage of them are available on the market. These stones have a stunning icy white colour that’s extremely impressive, particularly when the diamond is very well cut and shows lots of brilliance and fire.
The combination of Type IIa and D colour attributes which these rings possess is one of the most exemplary and scarce in nature.
Take a closer look
Lot 120. Leviev: A Magnificent Diamond Ring. Diamond is type IIa, D Color, VVSI clarity, weighing 35.00 carats. Estimate: $1,700,00 - $2,500,000
Lot 120. Leviev: A Magnificent Diamond Ring. Diamond is type IIa, D Color, VVSI clarity, weighing 35.00 carats. Estimate: $1,700,00 - $2,500,000
Lot 110. An Impressive Diamond Ring. Diamond is type IIa, D colour, VVS2 clarity, weighing 22.10 carats. Estimate: $900,000 - $1,500,000
Lot 110. An Impressive Diamond Ring. Diamond is type IIa, D colour, VVS2 clarity, weighing 22.10 carats. Estimate: $900,000 - $1,500,000
Lot 71. A Diamond Ring. Diamond is type IIa, D colour, VVS2 clarity, weighing 11.37 carats. Estimate: $350,000 - $550,000
Lot 71. A Diamond Ring. Diamond is type IIa, D colour, VVS2 clarity, weighing 11.37 carats. Estimate: $350,000 - $550,000
Register to bid in The Perfect Jewelry Box by 8 March or reach out to caroline.morrissey@bonhams.com for inquiries. Follow @bonhamsjewels for more exciting news.
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