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What is a Black Diamond?
Before discussing these dark gems, it’s essential to understand that diamonds are hard, sparkling crystals of pure carbon. Natural diamonds form deep within the Earth’s crust under tremendous heat and pressure, causing carbon atoms to bond tightly, resulting in the hardest natural substance. Ideally, this mineral is colorless or displays beautiful natural colors including red, pink, yellow, and blue, attributed to impurities that don’t compromise the crystal’s structure.
Black Diamond Formation
Carbonados are also composed of hard crystallized carbon, but their coloration process is distinct. Natural black diamonds owe their black color to graphite inclusions, which are black impurities. When these inclusions are sufficient, they turn the entire crystal black, creating a unique gemstone that has only recently gained popularity. However, setting them into lovely black diamond rings can be challenging since the graphite makes them more fragile compared to their colored counterparts where the impurity is part of the crystal structure.
How are Lab-Treated or Lab Black Diamonds Made?
Color-enhanced black gems are created differently from their natural counterparts. These stones often undergo low-pressure heating or radiation exposure. Heated stones, in particular, can be weaker structurally because of how the carbon rearranges. Essentially, heating creates graphite inclusions, making them similar in appearance to natural black diamonds. Regardless of the treatment method, a black diamond promise ring offers a stunning alternative to traditional white diamonds. And yes, even heat-treated stones are real black diamonds.
Black Diamond Origins
Similar to other colored diamonds, black stones are rarer than their colorless counterparts, where the latter can be considered the “default” for diamonds. Black diamonds stand out by being opaque and absorbing light. These geological rarities blend two forms of crystallized carbon and often don’t complete the transition to diamonds due to lower pressure requirements for graphite formation. Many are expelled from volcanoes and primarily found in Brazil, the Central African Republic, and Kamchatka, Russia, in riverbeds and alluvial deposits rather than mined pits.
Black Diamond Uses
Just like low-quality colorless diamonds, many black diamonds serve industrial purposes. Smaller crystals, despite being more fragile in larger sizes, are tough enough to be ground and used as industrial abrasives. Generally, diamonds are employed for coating drill bits, as heat sinks in small electronics, and other scenarios demanding durability. Historically, most black diamonds were utilized in these applications rather than jewelry making.
Black Diamond Popularity
Previously overlooked in jewelry, black diamonds gained popularity, leading to trendy black diamond white gold engagement rings.
Black Diamond Grading
Besides their geological rarity, black diamonds are unique due to their different properties from other diamond varieties. As they are mostly opaque, clarity isn’t a concern. Instead, their appeal lies in their distinct opaque appearance, which can be highlighted in jewelry, such as a rose gold black diamond ring. The contrast of pink metal with the black stone creates a striking look.
Color
For black diamonds, color intensity is judged differently. Although “dark” black isn’t applicable, uniform color is a must. The stone’s structural integrity also plays a critical role in its valuation, especially for a carbonado wedding ring intended for daily wear throughout a lifetime.
Cut
The cut is crucial for any diamond, ensuring a symmetrical and visually appealing stone for a black diamond solitaire ring. We offer economical choices, such as white gold black diamond engagement rings starting at $500.00 for a half-carat oval cut diamond in a solitaire setting.
Carat
If you aim to impress with a two-carat stone, a natural black diamond engagement ring would cost around $1500. Alternatively, a princess cut black diamond ring might be the perfect option if that’s her preference.
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