Technical And Consumer Facts About Black Diamonds

Black is beauty and grace. This dark shade has our hearts for years, and only when another darker shade comes around would we choose to move on from buying everything black.

If you are also a fanatic of ‘black’ colour and prefer this shade over others, we have a bit of news for you: black diamonds. Yes, they’re real, and they exist. However, the popularity of a black diamond is not as high as a colourless stone, making them the most beautiful yet overlooked precious stone. In our endeavour to create awareness around the black diamond and its properties, we have come up with this guide that would help you understand a few technical as well as consumer aspects of black diamond stones and jewellery items.

What are Black Diamonds?

As its name suggests, a black diamond stone is a real diamond rock that comes in the dark black shade rather than being colourless. Similar to how pink and blue fancy coloured stones are found in nature, black diamonds are also naturally available and fall under the rare category; they’re not found as often as colourless or other coloured stones.

Unlike other diamond stone varieties, which are entirely composed of carbon atoms, black stones consist of hydrogen atoms along with the carbon atoms. Contrary to the belief that all diamond stones are created under the immense heat and pressure deep within Earth’s surface, black diamonds are having been produced in the hydrogen-rich atmosphere of space. They reached the Earth via an asteroid nearly 2.8 million ago. But it is just a belief.

If you’re intrigued by such information about black diamond stones and wish to know more before you head out to buy a jewellery item studded with black stones, we recommend you through the overview of black diamonds for better understanding of the concept.

Technical Facts About Black Diamonds

Fact 1: Composition of Black Diamond Differ from Other Stones

Black diamonds have a unique composition and chemical structure. Technically, they are an impure form of polycrystalline diamond, consisting of diamond, graphite, and amorphous carbon. In case you do not know what is the polycrystalline diamond, here what it means: PCD refers to diamond particles that have been put together into a coherent structure using a chemomechanical binder and high-pressure, high-temperature conditions. When this process occurs naturally, which is so rare, the resultant product is a black diamond.

Fact 2: Black Diamonds Are Really, Really Tough

All of us know that diamonds, in general, are very hard, tough, and durable, but black diamonds are really, really tough. Their hardness makes it difficult for diamond cutters and gemologists to cut and shape

the stone for jewellery making and designing. Only truly skilled diamond cutters can successfully cut a black diamond and make it worthy of being placed on the top of a ring design or an earring model.

Fact 3: Higher Carbon Level than Other Stones

You may also find people referring to black diamonds as Carbonaro. They are called out by this name because black diamonds contain higher levels of carbon than other diamonds stones mined.

Fact 4: One Single, Huge Black Diamond is Made of Millions of Tiny Black Diamonds

Huge black diamond rock is actually made up of several tiny black crystals. While other diamonds are a single solid stone, black diamonds are bound together by internal inclusions, holding millions of smaller pieces together. This is known as a polycrystalline structure, which is the exact reason why the stones develop a dark colour. Polycrystallization is also the reason for the dark grey spots on the diamond.

Fact 5: Black Diamond Stones Are Carbon Isotope

Did you know that black diamonds are also isotopes of carbon? They have the same chemical element as carbon but differ in the atomic weight and physical properties. Although unclear, this property of black diamond stones makes it harder to cut and shape than other fancy coloured diamonds and colourless stones.

Bonus Fact: Black Diamonds absorb the light instead of reflecting them, thus attaining the black appearance.

Consumer-related Facts About Black Diamonds

Fact 1: Similar in Price to the Colourless Diamonds

Based on the rarity of black diamonds, you might think that they cost a fortune. But the truth is far from it. Initially, they were more affordable but are now similar in price to colourless diamonds. But they lack the same popularity as colourless or fancy coloured diamonds, making them a beauty hidden from the consumer’s eyes.

Fact 2: Black Diamonds Are Popular Option for Engagement Rings

We know that solitaire ring designs with colourless diamonds are favourite of almost every person, but over the past few decades, black diamonds have also gained popularity as engagement rings. While the credit goes to Sarah-Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and The City in making black diamond engagement rings popular, the sheer beauty and elegance of the stone cannot be ruled out.

Fact 3: There Are Artificially Treated Black Diamonds Available in the Market

Not all black diamonds are found in nature; some are found colourless and treated in the lab to become black. Although real, only those colourless diamonds are treated to become black, which are otherwise not fit for jewellery making. Hence, the market value of such black diamonds is way cheaper than the one that is naturally black.

Fact 4: The Investment Opportunity Is Neutral

Any precious metal is highly regarded as the best opportunity for safe investment. However, the case is quite different with black diamonds. Typically, black diamonds are priced lower than the colourless or other fancy coloured stones, but the gradual increase in their purchase over the last few years have increased their price. Yet, there is no guarantee that the price would keep up, making this diamond jewellery item quite neutral for investment purpose.

Fact 5: 4Cs of Black Diamond is Different from the Other Stones

The clarity factor is usually not considered for black diamond stones because inclusions are what gives the stone its rare black shade. They are also difficult to cut and shape. In terms of colour, black diamonds only have one grade: fancy black as they’re completely opaque and don’t vary in hue. For the carat, black diamonds are denser than other diamond types. Hence, natural black diamonds may have the same number of carats but appear smaller. For instance, a one-carat natural black diamond will be significantly smaller than one carat, colourless diamond.

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