Determining the Worth of a Black Diamond
Anyone who has ever considered engagement rings is likely familiar with both natural and lab-created white diamonds. However, those seeking a unique gemstone experience might want to explore alternatives to the classic white diamond solitaire. If you’re looking for a timeless token of your affection with a unique flair, a black diamond may be an ideal choice.
Black Diamond Color and Inclusions
Natural black diamonds are distinct from other diamonds due to their complete opacity. These stones are not transparent and get their intense color from the presence of graphite and random clustering throughout the diamond. While natural carbonado can be relatively affordable, those searching for budget-friendly black diamonds may find that treated black diamonds offer a more economical option.
The Origin of Black Diamonds
Rare, naturally occurring black diamonds, often called carbonados, are discovered in regions like Central Africa and Brazil. These natural gems are much rarer than white diamonds and are valued highly for their unique beauty and intense coloration.
Color and Value: A Complex Relationship
Many black diamonds found in jewelry are not natural. Natural carbonados derive their color from multiple inclusions dispersed throughout the stone. However, it’s rare to find diamonds with the optimal number of inclusions to make the stone genuinely black. Therefore, many black diamonds you encounter are altered.
Many dark gemstones that you see are originally white diamonds that have undergone irradiation or heat treatments to make them appear black. In most cases, the less expensive black diamonds in the market are heavily included white diamonds treated to turn a dark green that looks black.
Other Factors Influencing Cost
White diamonds’ value is typically determined using the four C’s: carat, cut, color, and clarity. In contrast, carbonado value largely depends on the carat, cut, shape, and ring style.
Clarity, which is significant for white diamonds, plays a minor role in valuing these dark stones because of their opaque nature. Due to this opacity, GIA’s Diamond Grading System differs for these colored diamonds. Additionally, since carbonado is usually uniform in color, color isn’t as critical in determining their value compared to carat weight, cut, shape, and ring style.
Carat Weight or Size
The price of all gemstones varies according to their size or carat weight. Just like natural white diamonds, both natural and treated carbonados increase in value with increased weight/size. Often, a seemingly small increase in carat weight can significantly affect the cost of your diamond jewelry.
Cut
Cutting, polishing, and setting natural black diamonds are more challenging than other natural diamonds due to their inclusions. These inclusions, often graphite, can increase the likelihood of pitting when polished. Such natural inconsistencies in the stone’s body also make it more prone to damage during the setting process.
Shape
The size, shape, and luster of a black diamond significantly influence its value. Therefore, it’s essential to value the shape of your black diamond. Nowadays, black diamonds are cut with lasers, making any shape possible. The most popular shapes for carbonados are round, oval, princess, and pear.
Ring Style
The style of your ring can significantly impact the cost of your black diamond ring. As the value of black diamonds spikes with size, any arrangement of stones can be costly if a large carbonado is the focal point.
A 3-carat solitaire will generally be less expensive than a 3-carat three-stone or halo-set black diamond. While visually stunning, a halo-set black diamond surrounded by smaller white diamonds can be pricey. However, opting for a smaller centerpiece stone in a halo setting may be a cost-effective compromise. An appealing mid-ground option is to select a three-stone ring featuring a carbonado flanked by two white diamonds.
Factors Making Black Diamonds Affordable
Lab-grown Alternatives
Cheaper diamonds can be altered to simulate natural black diamonds. Exposing these lower-quality diamonds to extreme heat can transform their color to dark green or black. These heat-treated diamonds are significantly less expensive than untreated natural carbonados, especially if the white diamonds were lab-grown, as lab-grown diamonds are not mined and are thus cheaper.
Chemical Composition
Carbonados are nearly identical to white diamonds, except for their graphite inclusions, which give natural black diamonds their striking color. These inclusions make cutting, polishing, and setting natural black diamonds more challenging. This intrinsic fragility makes natural black diamonds a more affordable alternative compared to their colorless counterparts.
