First of all, and most importantly, investing isn’t profitable unless the commodity invested in is liquidatable. Diamonds are a proper choice in this case. Coloured diamonds are 10,000 times as rare as white diamonds. Due to the intrinsic design and beauty of these rare stones, buyer demand is on the increase.

Diamond prices are key when deciding the purchase and sale of an investment in diamonds, which then creates a profit for the investor. The prices of commodities have a tendency to go up and down but diamond prices fluctuate very little, which makes them a steady investment.

The most expensive coloured diamonds are red, blue, followed by green, pink, yellow, brown, and black.

Red diamonds, are the rarest of all the coloured diamonds. Loved by all and collected the world over, these stones are constantly breaking records whenever they make it to auction.

Blue diamonds are the first choice in coloured diamonds for women everywhere. They are exquisitely beautiful and since blue has been dubbed as the symbolic colour of love, they are chosen for the emotion attached to the symbolism.

Green diamonds are next in the line up of choices. These diamonds speak volumes in terms of appearance and value. For those women who love green but aren’t born in May (therefore, not wanting to choose an emerald birthstone as a choice for, say, an engagement ring), a green diamond is the perfect answer.

Pink diamonds are commercially rare and greatly admired. They come in a variety of hues ranging from deep orange pink to intense pink and pinkish-purple to vivid pink.

Prices of yellow diamonds rise proportionally with the intensity of the colour. The colour intensity range, in order, is: light yellow, fancy light yellow, fancy yellow, fancy intense yellow, and fancy vivid yellow.

Brown diamonds are rare, but inexpensive, thereby creating a potential bargain for lovers. They are noted to have increased in value by 20% over the past three years and may even reach a 30% increase this year.

The prices for black diamonds are so competitive that they signify a great value for the money. They are also strikingly beautiful when surrounded in white gold or platinum setting.

Furthermore, all the coloured diamonds mentioned here can be found in just about every available diamond shape there is, such as: emerald cut, round, cushion cut, which is a sort of antique look, pear cut, radiant cut, marquise, oval, and the ever-popular princess cut.

There is a significant variation between different shades and hues of brown. Light brown diamonds are quite common, but there are few intensely colored brown stones as well. As with colored gemstones, some colors are definitely more vivid and attractive than others. In choosing one’s favorite color of brown diamond, no one can deny the element of personal preference or choice. However, there are some guidelines which will help in choosing the right shade and hue of brown.

A very beautiful and unusual stone is described as coffee-colored or popularly known as Chocolate, which is of dark brown hue. There is also a variety of Chocolate Orange which is dark orangy brown. Another popular name of Champagne which is of golden yellow brown, Cognac which refers to yellowish brown and Gold whose hue is of intense yellowish brown.

Another important factor that will help in choosing the right brown diamond is to know its cut and shape. Like any other colored and colorless diamonds, brown diamonds can be cut in almost any shape. The octagonal shape or popularly known as the emerald cut. An emerald cut is usually based on an oblong with cut corners. However, there is also an emerald cut that is based on a square. It has been observed that square is better than oblong as it can be closer to the perfect proportions of a round stone as compared to oblong stones that are obviously less than perfect proportion, from a gemological point of view at least.

The modern round brilliant cut continued to be the most popular cut today. A modification of the round brilliant cut is the heart shape. It is highlighted in some articles that the heart shape suits brown diamonds better than it does light colored or colorless diamonds. Another modification of the round brilliant is the pear shape cut. Not to mention the other adaptation of the round brilliant cut known as the marquise or navatte cut.

The most successful of the modern cuts developed for diamonds is the princess cut as it combines the square shape with the brilliance of a brilliant cut.

Armed with these helpful guidelines, one can easily choose the perfect brown diamond of choice.

Natural coloured diamonds come in every colour imaginable, the market leaders according to the Natural Coloured Diamond Association are:

Brown diamonds, also known as chocolate or champagne diamonds and nearly £9 billion worth of this shade of stones are sold annually and are primarily mines in Australia. Brown is a very versatile colour and goes with most skin tones. It does not only work very well for men but for women as well, especially on red carpet events. Brown diamonds are at the more reasonably price range of the spectrum.

Yellow diamonds are primarily found in Africa, and in fact the first diamond ever authenticated on the continent was a yellow stone. Pure, rich yellow are more valued that the lighter hues, although all tones are credited with enhancing the wearer’s aura. Yellow diamonds are more expensive than browns and in the more vivid colours can cost more than colourless diamonds.

Pink diamonds are considered quite rare. The best pink diamond originates from the Argyle mine in Australia. Dwindling supplies have lead to very high prices. Full-bodies pinks are the most precious than paler hues. Red diamonds are amongst the most expensive in the world.

Blue diamonds are produced mainly from the Cullinan mine in Pretoria. Both light and dark hues are valued, as long as there is good luster in the stone and a minimum of inclusions. A perfect example is the famous Hope Diamond which was featured in the movie Titanic.

Diamonds come in other colours as well like reds, oranges, greens and blacks. Many of these shades are so rare that they are seldom seen in a retail setting by the casual consumer. Some are viewed in gemologist’s museums and crown jewel collections.

To understand the origin of the brown color, large amount of scientific research was spent. From the scientific researches that were conducted, several causes have been identified. Causes include irradiation treatment, nickel impurities and lattice defects associated with plastic deformation, wherein the latter are considered as the predominant cause, especially in pure diamonds.

Irradiation treatments entail revealing the stone to electromagnetic rays (ionizing radiation) or gamma rays (cobalt 60 radiation) to discharge electrons from their normal location, moving them to more desirable color-producing locations. Neutrons will be utilized in the irradiation process, whether it would depend on the mineral to be treated, and the desired color adjustment, alpha particles, beta particles, electrons, gamma particles.

Laser-drilled diamonds can also be a factor on the origin of this stone. The laser-drilling of diamonds to decrease or eliminate foreign crystal inclusions, or iron-oxide stained fractures, has been performed for over 20 years. Drilling is achieved using an infrared laser to bore microscopic holes into a diamond, creating an access channel to the inclusion.

A high-pressure high-temperature treatment has been intended to heal lattice abnormalities and alter brown diamonds into yellow or even colorless stones.

High-Pressure (70,000 atmospheres) High-Temperature (2,000º C) treatment or HTHP was developed by General Electric in 1999, to reduce or totally get rid of a brownish hue in some Type IIa diamonds. Type I diamonds have nitrogen impurities that captivating some of the blue light spectrum, thereby making the diamond come out yellow, while Type II diamonds have structural imperfection known as plastic deformations created during crystal development, that can cause a brownish color. High-Temperature High-Pressure treatment can in some cases ‘restore’ these deformations, whitening the diamond’s appearance.

There is nothing intrinsically incorrect with gem enhancements as long as you are made aware of their use. New treatments are being made available all the time, and gemological testing centers are constantly changing and modernizing their testing regimes to prevent the unidentified enhancement that can slip through the cracks.

Either way, brown diamonds are the new classic ranging from the subtly elegant champagnes to the smooth, rich cognacs.

Among the A-list celebrities who embraced champagne diamonds to their couture are Halle Berry, Cate Blanchett and Jennifer Lopez. Jennifer Lopez impressed everyone with a fabulous pair of 20-carat gray and champagne diamond earrings while much-admired actress, Hilary Swank,breathtakingly beautiful with a 20-carat champagne diamond briolette in her hair during the 2007 Academy Awards.

Helen Mirren, winner of the Best Actress Oscar, donned on the back of her gown a Chopard 62-carat oval-shaped white and cognac diamond brooch, and with the Best Supporting Actress Oscar title, Jennifer Hudson amazed the crowd with her champagne diamond ring. Cameron Diaz’s matched her Prada dress with a 20-carat cognac diamond ring.

The champagne diamond pendant lit the floor at the Screen Actors Guild Awards worn by Cate Blanchett.

Not to mention reporter Maria Menounos dazzled the crowd in her breathtaking champagne diamond dress, embellished with 2,000 champagne diamonds totaling 3,000 carats and worth an amazing $2.5 million at the 2004 Academy Awards.

Brown diamonds are really neutral and can be worn with almost any color as well. Champagne diamonds are beautiful, innovative and affordable alternative to white diamonds. Champagnes, because of their various colors and hues allow one to express one’s individuality and be different.