Beautiful, mysterious, expensive, rare… is there a better way to say I love you than with a black diamond ring? Black diamonds are more rare, more expensive and make a bigger statement than any other stone could.
What is a black diamond?
The black diamond, however, is not really black. It has black areas within it which reflect through the whole stone, making it appear as dark as night or a smoky grey, depending on the amount of inclusions within the stone. These inclusions, or smoky areas, are made up of ion oxides like sulphide or hematite. The black diamonds real name is ‘Carbonado’ which means ‘carbonised’ in Portuguese and was coined in the 1700s. The diamonds are usually found in certain areas of the Central African Republic and Brazil.
How are they formed?
There are many theories about how these little dark horses were formed and no one has managed to prove any which one conclusively. Some of the theories are:
- They formed the same way as white diamonds
Normal diamonds are formed deep within the earth. Under extreme heat and intense pressure, carbon is converted into diamonds. Perhaps the heat where the black diamonds were formed was even more severe than usual.
- They came from space
Certain scientists believe that black diamonds may have been formed before our solar system was even around. They postulate that a supernova caused carbon dust to form into black diamonds, which then rained onto Earth.
- A meteorite created them
Yet other scientists believe that the huge pressure and heat caused by a meteorite hitting the earth led to the formation of black diamonds.
- Radiation caused them to form
Another theory is that radiation caused by a reaction between uranium and thorium created the perfect environment for the black diamonds to form.
However they are formed, we can be sure that they are incredibly rare, mysterious and beautiful. It seems the world agrees as black diamonds have become increasingly sought after and their high prices certainly reflect this.
Are there any differences between white and black diamonds?
Besides the aesthetics and where they may or may not have originated from, there are no differences between black and white diamonds. Diamonds, whether black or white, are the hardest, most durable and scratch resistant material on earth. They can only be scratched by other diamonds, making them incredibly long lasting. Diamonds come in many different colours and depending on the amount of impurity present, like boron or nitrogen, they can range from slightly yellow to iridescent pink and bright blue. None, however, are as rare as the black diamond.
How much will a black diamond cost you?
Black diamonds are generally more expensive than ordinary diamonds because of their rarity. Price does not rely on clarity as the smoky or black inclusions will hide any carbon (or other) flaws. If your jeweller does not stock black diamonds, there are many online sites where you can shop for your perfect Carbonado. However, try to find a reputable online dealer as many sites are fraudulent and unsafe.
Caring for your black diamond
Black diamonds don’t require any special treatment, you can clean them exactly as you would a white diamond. Polishing with soft material and occasional cleaning with mild soap and water is fine, or you could purchase a diamond cleaning solution. Make sure you dry the diamonds completely after cleaning and don’t spill them down the drain by accident!
What band would suit your black diamond?
Most jewellers and ring designers are of the opinion that a white gold, platinum or even silver ring will set off a black stone better than yellow gold. If you are investing in an expensive and rare diamond, it is essential to design the ring to show the stone off as well as possible. Speak to your jeweller about options.
Black diamond rings are one of the most exquisite pieces of jewellery it is possible to own. No other ring will take your breath away quite like a ring finished with a smoky, mysterious and alluring Carbonado.