What is a Black Diamond?
Unique, captivating, and somewhat mysterious, black diamonds have become a popular choice for engagement rings, men’s bands, and fashion jewelry. Black diamonds can be dressed up or down with a look that can be either edgy or sophisticated, and it is this versatility that makes them a perfect choice for any piece of jewelry.
Famous Black Diamonds
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Seen for the last time in Tokyo in 1971, the Black Star of Africa is a massive 202 carats.
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The Star of Islam is an emerald cut diamond weighing 160.18 carats.
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The most famous of all is the Black Orlov diamond. It weighed 195 carats in the rough. Beautifully cut and polished to a faceted, cushion-shaped gem, the Black Orlov still weighs a very respectable 67.5 carats.
Black Diamond Lore
As a real, natural diamond, these stones share all of the same meanings and symbolism as traditional white diamonds, such as strength, wisdom, eternity, and everlasting love. Italians in medieval times believed that black diamonds wielded the power to restore the relationship of a married couple, and the Black Orlov diamond had a reputation for bestowing happiness and good fortune on anyone who touched it.
What Gives a Black Diamond its Color?
Natural Fancy Color
In a natural fancy color black diamond, the color is caused by the presence of numerous inclusions in a dense concentration. These characteristic inclusions consist primarily of graphite, as well as traces of magnetite and hematite. Because the inclusions are the very thing that give these diamonds their color, natural fancy colored black diamonds do not receive clarity grades. While these diamonds are mostly opaque, transparent areas between inclusions can often be seen when light shines through the diamond.These areas typically appear brown but may be any pale color.
Color Enhanced
Color enhanced black diamonds are also an available option. These are natural diamonds that have been irradiated to give them color. Unlike natural fancy color black diamonds, the clarity of treated black diamonds does vary. Almost completely opaque and nearly pure black in appearance, the beauty and affordability of these stones makes these an ideal choice for both bridal and fashion jewelry.
Assessing Black Diamond Quality
Because of the high number of inclusions present in natural fancy color black diamonds, clarity is not a factor in determining the quality and value. Instead, the cut and polish are the main traits that should be taken into consideration when selecting your black diamond. The numerous inclusions occurring in a dense concentration makes cutting these diamonds difficult and can result in the presence of small cavities and interconnecting feathers that reach the surface. To ensure that your black diamond is a beautiful, high-quality stone, take care to look closely at the surface, paying particular attention to the table and table facets. A well-polished black diamond will have a smooth surface with no visible blemishes.
The Origin of Black Diamonds
Trust Krikawa and Yourself!
Our gemologists personally assess each and every diamond to ensure that the quality meets our high standards of excellence.
Contact our design consultants to design your unique custom black diamond jewelry.
We’ll even ship your colored diamond to you for approval before we begin crafting your custom ring!