LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — Color reflects value of diamonds

Regarding the article “Colored microdiamonds spur investor interest” (T.N.M., Nov. 23/92), it is worth noting that the diamond exploration activity came out of nowhere a year ago and most of us didn’t know a pyrope from an almandite.

The libraries and literature were scoured and “experts” began to appear, some quite well informed. This mining activity is different from most, in that the product is unique and the commodity, diamonds, touches a host of potential investors.

The bridging of the mining exploration phase to the gemstone industry is difficult for the exploration geologist and also for the gem dealer. To the diamond merchant on 47th Street in New York or the diamond district of Antwerp, Belgium, the most important thing in a diamond is color — it should have none. Also important are shape, size and clarity. Most diamond dealers never see the expensive types of colored diamonds referred to by some. These stones are for exclusive auctions or museums.

This fixation with colored diamonds is dangerous as we have seen and is better left to experts.

To report on fancy colored diamonds in an initial drill hole or a bulk test without expert opinion on the actual color is misleading. There are a lot of gemologists who specialize in these rare stones — talk to them. For the record, the yellow in natural diamonds comes from nitrogen substituting for carbon in the stones’ crystal lattice, blue from boron and pink from irregular crystal growth. Very subtle intermixing of colors can create an expensive stone or a much less expensive stone.

A report on initial tests should include color, shape, size and clarity. An expensive stone should be colorless and flawless. Ideally it is an octahedron, which gives the best recovery, almost 50%, for the diamond cutter. As for size, the larger the stone, the more expensive it is. There is a shortage of large diamonds on the market today. Go to your jeweler and ask for a 2-carat stone and see what is available. This 2-carat stone would have weighed at least four carats in the rough and probably more in original pre-cutting size.

George Stewart

Exploration Manger

DHK Resources

Greenwood, B.C.