At Van Cleef & Arpels, colored diamonds grace the latest designs, such as the Pastel Hiver (Century Collection) with a clip brooch in blue and pink diamonds. "The colored diamonds in Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry are used as an artist would select a certain shade of color for his painting, chosen for their appropriateness within the design of a piece of jewelry," says Nicolas Luchsinger, store manager of Van Cleef & Arpels, New York.

One spectacular piece of jewelry is a Graff multi-colored diamond necklace with 142 natural-colored diamonds, weighing a total of 267 carats with a 37-carat fancy intense yellow pear-shaped drop. "Graff is the only company that could have created this necklace," says Henri Barguirdjian, president and CEO of Graff USA. "Graff is famous for its unparalleled selection of colored diamonds and has access to an astounding inventory. We could have made several different pieces with these rare gems but decided to create one unique necklace. The range of colors, the intensity of the color saturation in each stone—it is truly a remarkable layout. It is the epitome of the Graff aesthetic—the minimum amount of metal is used to highlight the vibrancy of these rare stones." In 2006, it sold for $30 million dollars to an Asian client.

Each colored diamond is unique, never to be replicated…like a work of art. For this reason, connoisseurs, collectors and those who want to wear beautiful jewelry are seeking the best not only for their striking hues but also as sound investments.

Janet Zapata is an independent scholar and decorative arts consultant, specializing in jewelry and silver. She is the author of several books including The Jewelry and Enamels of Louis Comfort Tiffany and The Art of Zadora.

Aurora Gems Inc., New York
212.3551480 auroragems.com

Cartier, New York
800.227.8437 cartier.com

Christian Tse, Pasadena, CA
626.577.9288 info@christiantse.com

De Beers
debeers.com

Gemological Institute of America
Carlesbad, CA, 800.421.7250
New York, 212.944.5900 gia.edu

Graff
London 011.44.20.7584.8571
New York 212.355.9292 graffdiamonds.com

Harry Winston, New York
212.245.2000 harrywinston.com
 
Martin Katz
Los Angeles, 310.276.7200
New York, 212.957.8295 martinkatz.com

Molina Fine Jewelers, Phoenix
800.257.2695 finejeweler.com

Mouawad, Los Angeles
310.226.7870 mouawad.com

Moussaieff, London
011.44.20.7408.0487 info@moussaieff.co.uk

M.S. Rau Antiques
800.544.9440 rauantiques.com

National Color Diamond Association, New York
212.644.9747 ncdia.com

Neil Lane Jewelry, Los Angeles
310.275.5015

Premier Gem, New York
212.319.5151 premiergem.com

Rio Tinto Diamonds, Antwerp, Belgium
011.32.3.303.6800 riotintodiamonds.com

Siegelson Inc., New York
212.832.2666 siegelson.com

Steinmetz Diamond Group, Geneva
steinmetz-group.com

Taffin, New York
212.421.6222

Tiffany & Co., New York
800.843.3269 tiffany.com

Van Cleef & Arpels Inc., New York
877.826.2533 vancleef-arpels.com