FAQs

Diamonds, Gemstones & Market Insights

1. How do you grade a colourless diamond?

Diamonds are graded using the “4Cs”: Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat weight. A truly colourless diamond (graded D on the GIA scale) is the rarest and most valuable. However, brilliance is not only determined by colour; the cut greatly influences how the stone reflects light. At times, a well-cut diamond with a slightly lower colour grade can appear more beautiful than a poorly cut colourless one.

2. What makes “Pigeon Blood” rubies the most valuable?

“Pigeon Blood” refers to a vivid, pure red hue with a subtle hint of blue, considered the rarest and most desirable colour for rubies. Origin plays a role too: rubies from Myanmar (Burma) with this hue command the highest prices. The intensity of the colour, coupled with rarity, drives their exceptional value.

3. How does the origin of a gemstone influence its price?

The geological origin can dramatically affect a gemstone’s market value. For example, Kashmir sapphires, Colombian emeralds and Burmese rubies are renowned for their unrivalled colour quality and rarity. Certificates from leading gemmological laboratories (such as GIA, HRD or IGI) that confirm origin add a significant premium to the price.

4. What are “fancy coloured diamonds” and why are they so rare?

Unlike colourless diamonds, fancy coloured diamonds display strong, natural hues such as pink, yellow, blue or green. Their rarity increases exponentially with the intensity and purity of the colour. For instance, vivid pink and blue diamonds are among the most valuable gemstones in the world, often achieving record-breaking auction results.

5. Are lab-grown diamonds valuable?

Lab-grown diamonds share the same physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds, but their market value is significantly lower due to abundance and replicability. While they can be an alternative, they do not retain long-term value in the same way as natural diamonds, which are finite and rare.

6. What is the difference between investment-grade and jewellery-grade gemstones?

Investment-grade gemstones combine rarity, beauty and certified provenance — for example, untreated Burmese rubies or vivid blue Kashmir sapphires. Jewellery-grade gemstones, while still beautiful, may have treatments or qualities that make them more suitable for aesthetic rather than investment purposes. Collectors and investors typically focus on rarity and provenance.

7. Why are auction houses important for diamond and gemstone pricing?

Auction results serve as benchmarks for the global gemstone market. High-profile sales of rare coloured diamonds or exceptional sapphires set new price levels and trends. Investors and jewellers alike follow these results closely, as they influence perception of value across the industry.

8. How do global trends affect the diamond and gemstone market?

Consumer behaviour, sustainability concerns, and shifting wealth demographics all shape demand. For example, Gen Z and Millennials increasingly seek ethical sourcing and traceability, while Asian markets remain key drivers of growth in coloured gemstones. These global dynamics directly influence both pricing and brand strategies.