Green is one of the rarest colours in which diamonds can occur, second only to red. Rough diamonds with green skins or scattered green patches are common. Faceted diamonds with a natural green body colour are extremely unusual.
The world's most famous natural green diamond is the Dresden Green. Classified as an "apple-green" color, this pendeloque shape stone weighs an extraordinary 40.70 carats. Proved to be not only of extraordinary quality, but also a rare type IIa diamond it is considered the largest and finest natural green diamond ever found.
According to Ian Balfour in his book 'Famous Diamonds' the few polished green diamonds that exist originate from a certain type of yellowish-green rough characterised by a degree of lubricity. 'The green colour is usually caused by the crystal's coming in contact with a radioactive source at some moment during its lifetime, and, in geological terms, this is measured in millions of years.'
As green body colours are most often modified by yellow, brown or even grey overtones, straight greens like the present diamond are far more rare. Only a few comparable stones (often of smaller sizes) have ever been sold at auction, making this 3.19 carats Natural Fancy Green diamond quite astonishing.