Black diamonds

Black diamonds

Black diamonds are much older than white or colored ones (dating back up to 3.8 billion years ago), but their discovery is recent, from the mid-19th century.

They began to gain popularity at the end of the 20th century, when the first black diamond engagement rings started to appear. However, it is possible that they truly came to the attention of the general public in 2010, when Mr. Big from Sex and the City 2 gave Carrie a black diamond engagement ring, weighing 5 carats.

They have a unique, mysterious beauty, due to their bold appearance and have become a popular alternative to conventional diamonds (colorless or other colored stones) for engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings, and many other types of fine jewelry. In addition to having a unique style, black diamonds are distinctive from other gemstones - from the way they form in the earth, to the way they are cut and polished.

Types of black diamonds and their origin

Natural black diamonds – get their color from Mother Nature. During their formation in the earth, other minerals are trapped inside the diamond. The extremely large amount of these other minerals, called inclusions (small spots) - such as graphite, pyrite, or hematite - are what give diamonds their black color. These inclusions are what give them a unique character; no two diamonds have the same inclusions.

Carbonados (from Spanish carbón – coal) are also deposits that occur naturally and are found only in Brazil and Central Africa.

How and where natural diamonds form is still a mystery. The latest scientific theories place the formation of black diamonds in space - they would have arrived on Earth brought by meteorites during the formation of the latter, over 2 billion years ago. Other geophysicists, however, argue that they are of terrestrial origin.

Treated black diamonds are found in nature, but the black color is not theirs. They become black as a result of thermal treatments that enhance their color.

Synthetic black diamonds are identical to natural diamonds, but are made in a laboratory, so neither the stone nor the color is found in nature.

Natural black diamonds and Carbonados can vary in color from light gray to pure black, depending on the number of inclusions. Treated and synthetic black diamonds usually have a more uniform black appearance.

As with all gemstones, natural black diamonds are significantly more valuable and desirable, to the detriment of treated or lab-created ones.

The properties of black diamonds

Among all gemstones, black diamonds are recognized for their durability, achieving a score of 10 (the highest possible) on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, being even harder than most colorless diamonds.

Natural black diamonds are usually completely opaque, with a high luster that gives the stones an almost metallic appearance. They can contain hundreds, if not thousands, of microscopic inclusions. Although they are appreciated for their superior hardness, these inclusions make black diamonds more vulnerable to breaking than colorless ones, and cutting and polishing them can be difficult.

Unlike white diamonds, black ones can cost less, because consumer demand is lower. However, tastes are changing. In recent years, black diamonds have become increasingly popular and attractive, especially for those looking for something exclusive and different in an engagement ring or other type of jewelry.

Like colorless ones, black diamonds symbolize eternal love, making them perfect for an engagement ring. They are also associated with passion, action, and energy.

Famous black diamonds

The oldest known black diamond is Black Orlov, weighing 67.5 carats and dating from 1750.

Spirit of Grisogono, weighs 312.24 carats and was found in the 1990s in Central West Africa.

Enigma is the largest polished black diamond auctioned, weighing exactly 555.55 carats and has 55 facets. It will be auctioned in February 2022 and is expected to sell for more than approximately 7 million USD. Some experts argue for a terrestrial origin, while other diamond experts say that the massive black jewel came from outer space.

Due to their dark color, black diamonds have an extremely distinct, unique appearance that sets them apart from other gemstones. They look extraordinarily good when paired with metals such as 14k white gold and platinum, as they help highlight their color, the black. They are also often placed next to colorless diamonds as a way to create visual contrast. These combinations can look fantastic, both for engagement rings and other jewelry.