'Chameleon' diamonds have the unique and fascinating ability to change color when exposed to the light of day - they have an olive-grey hue under normal conditions which changes to either a yellowish or brown color. Chameleon diamonds are a must for the serious collector, sought after because they are so rare in nature. Benma Diamonds are one of the few diamond dealers able to offer the most exclusive of these fancy colored diamonds to market, diamonds that are a wise choice of investment, as well as an object of beauty.
Menahem Ben David, founder of Benma Diamonds, has a particular affinity with the chameleon diamond. During the 1980s he purchased a green diamond which he only later discovered had changed to grey. In fact he had unwittingly become the proud possessor of what would later be termed a 'chameleon' fancy colored diamond. The diamond turned out to be so rare that Menahem allowed the diamond to be displayed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington - its interactive case showing off its color changes to the delight of visitors.
Chameleon fancy colored diamonds react to their surrounding environment when they are exposed to varying lighting and heating conditions. The changes take place due to thermal variations. When these types of diamonds are exposed to a significant amount of heat (around 250 Ì), they are able to change to a greenish-yellow color rather quickly. When the chameleon diamonds cool down, they will resume their standard color - this occurs as a result of a process called thermochroism. Although it still remains a mystery as to why these diamonds change color, it may be down to the abundance of hydrogen, boron and minimal amount of nitrogen they possess. However it comes about, their singular photo and themochroistic properties make them extremely rare and desirable.
Chameleon diamonds show different colors under different types of light too - halogen, incandescent and daylight all produce a different shade of color in the stones.
The largest diamond ever discovered weighs over 31 carats - and was purchased by Swiss jewelers Chopard in 2007. The beauty of this olive-green diamond - set within yellow pave diamonds in a ring can only be imagined - since the larger the diamond the more significant the color change. The stone turns to a rich bronze color when exposed to the appropriate conditions.
Another exquisite diamond (8.04 carat radiant cut) officially dubbed a 'Fancy Dark Grey Green Chameleon' has been recorded -the diamond was set in a ring, and encircled by pink diamonds and pink gold. This exceptional diamond is believed to be worth well over $2 million. Another chameleon diamond worth mentioning, weighing over 4 carats, was sold in Hong Kong for a quarter of a million dollars.
Chameleon diamonds are often cut in Princess, Emerald, Oval, Marquise, Pear and Round Brilliant shapes - which show off their unique colors to the utmost