where do all the colored diamonds come from
Diamond
Nitrogen is by far the most common impurity found in gem diamonds and is responsible for the yellow and brown color in diamonds . Boron is responsible for the blue color . Color in diamond has two additional sources : irradiation ( usually by alpha particles ) , that causes the color in green diamonds , and plastic deformation of the diamond crystal lattice . Plastic deformation is the cause of color in some brown and perhaps pink and red diamonds . In order of increasing rarity , yellow diamond is followed by brown , colorless , then by blue , green , black , pink , orange , purple , and red . `` Black '' , or Carbonado , diamonds are not truly black , but rather contain numerous dark inclusions that give the gems their dark appearance . Colored diamonds contain impurities or structural defects that cause the coloration , while pure or nearly pure diamonds are transparent and colorless . Most diamond impurities replace a carbon atom in the crystal lattice , known as a carbon flaw . The most common impurity , nitrogen , causes a slight to intense yellow coloration depending upon the type and concentration of nitrogen present . The Gemological Institute of America ( GIA ) classifies low saturation yellow and brown diamonds as diamonds in the normal color range , and applies a grading scale from `` D '' ( colorless ) to `` Z '' ( light yellow ) . Diamonds of a different color , such as blue , are called fancy colored diamonds and fall under a different grading scale . 
Nitrogen is by far the most common impurity found in gem diamonds and is responsible for the yellow and brown color in diamonds . Boron is responsible for the blue color . Color in diamond has two additional sources : irradiation ( usually by alpha particles ) , that causes the color in green diamonds , and plastic deformation of the diamond crystal lattice . Plastic deformation is the cause of color in some brown and perhaps pink and red diamonds . In order of increasing rarity , yellow diamond is followed by brown , colorless , then by blue , green , black , pink , orange , purple , and red . `` Black '' , or Carbonado , diamonds are not truly black , but rather contain numerous dark inclusions that give the gems their dark appearance . Colored diamonds contain impurities or structural defects that cause the coloration , while pure or nearly pure diamonds are transparent and colorless . Most diamond impurities replace a carbon atom in the crystal lattice , known as a carbon flaw . The most common impurity , nitrogen , causes a slight to intense yellow coloration depending upon the type and concentration of nitrogen present . The Gemological Institute of America ( GIA ) classifies low saturation yellow and brown diamonds as diamonds in the normal color range , and applies a grading scale from `` D '' ( colorless ) to `` Z '' ( light yellow ) . Diamonds of a different color , such as blue , are called fancy colored diamonds and fall under a different grading scale .
Colored diamonds contain impurities or structural defects that cause the coloration , while pure or nearly pure diamonds are transparent and colorless. The most common impurity , nitrogen , causes a slight to intense yellow coloration. Boron is responsible for the blue color and irradiation causes the color in green diamonds. Plastic deformation is the cause of color in some brown and perhaps pink and red diamonds.
Boron is responsible for the blue color . Color in diamond has two additional sources : irradiation ( usually by alpha particles ) , that causes the color in green diamonds , and plastic deformation of the diamond crystal lattice . Plastic deformation is the cause of color in some brown and perhaps pink and red diamonds . Colored diamonds contain impurities or structural defects that cause the coloration , while pure or nearly pure diamonds are transparent and colorless . The most common impurity , nitrogen , causes a slight to intense yellow coloration depending upon the type and concentration of nitrogen present .
Colored diamonds contain impurities or structural defects that cause the coloration. The most common impurity , nitrogen , causes a slight to intense yellow coloration. Boron is responsible for the blue color and irradiation causes the color in green diamonds. Plastic deformation is the cause of color in some brown and perhaps pink and red diamonds.
Boron is responsible for the blue color . Color in diamond has two additional sources : irradiation ( usually by alpha particles ) , that causes the color in green diamonds , and plastic deformation of the diamond crystal lattice . Plastic deformation is the cause of color in some brown and perhaps pink and red diamonds . Colored diamonds contain impurities or structural defects that cause the coloration , while pure or nearly pure diamonds are transparent and colorless . The most common impurity , nitrogen , causes a slight to intense yellow coloration depending upon the type and concentration of nitrogen present .