<P> Type I diamonds have nitrogen atoms as the main impurity , commonly at a concentration of 0.1 % . If the nitrogen atoms are in pairs they do not affect the diamond 's color ; these are Type IaA . If the nitrogen atoms are in large even - numbered aggregates they impart a yellow to brown tint ( Type IaB ) . About 98 % of gem diamonds are type Ia , and most of these are a mixture of IaA and IaB material : these diamonds belong to the Cape series , named after the diamond - rich region formerly known as Cape Province in South Africa , whose deposits are largely Type Ia . If the nitrogen atoms are dispersed throughout the crystal in isolated sites ( not paired or grouped ) , they give the stone an intense yellow or occasionally brown tint ( Type Ib ) ; the rare canary diamonds belong to this type , which represents only 0.1 % of known natural diamonds . Synthetic diamond containing nitrogen is Type Ib . Type I diamonds absorb in both the infrared and ultraviolet region , from 320 nm ( 3.2 × 10 m ) . They also have a characteristic fluorescence and visible absorption spectrum ( see Optical properties of diamond ) . </P>
<P> Type I diamonds have nitrogen atoms as the main impurity , commonly at a concentration of 0.1 % . If the nitrogen atoms are in pairs they do not affect the diamond 's color ; these are Type IaA . If the nitrogen atoms are in large even - numbered aggregates they impart a yellow to brown tint ( Type IaB ) . About 98 % of gem diamonds are type Ia , and most of these are a mixture of IaA and IaB material : these diamonds belong to the Cape series , named after the diamond - rich region formerly known as Cape Province in South Africa , whose deposits are largely Type Ia . If the nitrogen atoms are dispersed throughout the crystal in isolated sites ( not paired or grouped ) , they give the stone an intense yellow or occasionally brown tint ( Type Ib ) ; the rare canary diamonds belong to this type , which represents only 0.1 % of known natural diamonds . Synthetic diamond containing nitrogen is Type Ib . Type I diamonds absorb in both the infrared and ultraviolet region , from 320 nm ( 3.2 × 10 m ) . They also have a characteristic fluorescence and visible absorption spectrum ( see Optical properties of diamond ) . </P>
yellow colour in diamonds is caused by the presence of
yellow colour in diamonds is caused by the presence of
nitrogen atoms are dispersed throughout the crystal in isolated sites
nitrogen atoms are dispersed throughout the crystal in isolated sites