The black diamonds

The black diamonds

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

They began to gain popularity in the late 20th century, when the first black diamond engagement rings began to appear. But they may have really come to the attention of the general public in 2010, when Mr. Big from Sex and the City 2 gave Carrie a 5 carat black diamond engagement ring.

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 rings, 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 are formed 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 it its unique character, no two diamonds have the same inclusions.

Carbonados (from the Spanish Carbón – coal) are also naturally occurring deposits 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, more than 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 following thermal treatments that enhance their color.

Synthetic black diamonds are identical to natural diamonds, but they 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 than those treated or created in a laboratory.

The properties of black diamonds

Among all gemstones, black diamonds are recognized for their durability, scoring a 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 prized for their superior hardness, these inclusions make black diamonds more vulnerable to breakage than colorless diamonds, and cutting and polishing can be difficult.

Unlike white diamonds, black diamonds can cost less because consumer demand is lower. However, tastes change. 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 diamonds, 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 the 67.5 carat Black Orlov dating back to 1750.

The Grisogono Spirit, has 312.24 carats and was found in the 90s. in West Central Africa.

The Enigma is the largest cut black diamond ever 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 about $7 million. Some experts claim a terrestrial origin, while other diamond experts say the massive black gem came from outer space.

Due to their dark color, black diamonds have a very distinct, unique appearance that sets them apart from other gemstones. They look amazing when paired with metals like 14k white gold and platinum because they help bring out their black color. 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.