Black Diamonds

Black diamonds are opaque diamonds with a black color that come in only one color-intensity: Fancy Black, unlike the characteristic of color in other color diamonds. Only two other diamond colors come in just the Fancy intensity, and these are White and Red diamonds. Fancy White diamonds are also similar in that they are opaque, although Red diamonds do not share this characteristic. Other color diamonds are found in a variety of color intensities ranging from Faint to Fancy Deep/Dark. Unlike other color diamonds that receive their color from geological impurities such as nitrogen, hydrogen, and boron, black diamonds owe their color to the inclusion of graphite and random clustering throughout the diamond. Over the years, black diamonds have grown greatly in terms of popularity due to celebrities who have been seen sporting black diamond jewelry.

Natural fancy black diamonds are relatively affordable, but obviously it depends on the size sought after. Treated black diamonds, however, are significantly less expensive and the demand is quite low as most prefer the real thing. Natural Fancy Black Diamonds will likely cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 per carat.

Unlike other color diamonds that receive their color from geological impurities such as nitrogen, hydrogen, and boron, raw black diamonds owe their color to the inclusion of graphite and random clustering throughout the diamond. Over the years, the popularity of black diamonds has increased dramatically due to celebrities who have been seen sporting black diamond jewelry.

Natural Black Diamonds are found in very few locations. These locations include Brazil and Central Africa.

Natural fancy black diamonds are indeed rarer than common colorless diamonds. There are two kinds of black diamonds in the marketplace: diamonds that develop their natural black color during their formation deep beneath the earth's surface, and diamonds that are enhanced (heated) to display a black color. While they are by no means the rarest occurring color in nature, they are one of the most valued for their artistic beauty and dark allure, and are often incorporated into men's jewelry as a masculine touch.

Since natural fancy black diamonds are quite rare, some diamantaires began artificially enhancing low-quality colorless diamonds by burning them while still in their rough state until they receive the opaque black color. This brings down the price considerably compared to the price of a natural fancy black diamond, but the process is entirely artificial and will not be graded by the GIA.

When it comes to Natural Fancy Black diamonds, it is strongly advised to purchase one that has been graded by the GIA (or another reputable lab), since this is the only way to know for sure if it is a natural fancy black diamond, or a diamond which has been treated. With natural black diamonds, it's best to choose a stone that appeals to you in terms of its shape, size, and luster, as these are the most important aspects to consider. When it comes to grading natural black diamonds, the GIA provides an Identification and Origin Report which includes the color grade (black), color origin (natural), carat weight, and diamond measurements. As it is an opaque stone, there will be no mention of the make (polish/symmetry, etc.).

Black and white diamonds are almost exactly the same except for the fact that the black color is produced by the inclusion of graphite in the crystalline structure during the diamond's formation, before the kimberlite deposits reached the Earth's surface. Therefore, the only difference between them is that black diamonds have the graphite inclusion and colorless diamonds do not. They are both formed by high pressure on the element of carbon under the Earth's surface, which produces a repeating geometric pattern in the crystal lattice. Black diamonds are completely real diamonds and almost exactly the same as colorless diamonds except for the color.

As we already know, natural black diamonds are very rare and are produced by the inclusion of graphite in the crystalline structure during the diamond's formation. Black sapphires, however, are made of corundum with inclusions causing the color of the stone. Unlike natural black diamonds, black sapphires are found in abundant quantities, with most originating in Australia.