Black Diamond Guide: Should You Buy Or Avoid Them

A lot of people think that black diamonds are real diamonds, this is not only false but also a deceptive act, although it could be somewhat true in the case of man-made or treated black diamonds even though naturally occurring black diamonds exist too.

Hence, diamond shoppers who desire to purchase black diamond engagement rings must properly research and thoroughly browse through the options since to an inexperienced eye, all the differences will seem the same and could raise the risk of a customer getting ripped off by acquiring a black diamond of weaker quality for the price of a more precious one just because the customer was unaware of the discrepancies. 

Naturally-occurring black diamonds are a rare artifact and most of the black diamonds that we find in black diamond rings, necklace, earring are the ones that have either been artificially made or just white diamonds which have undergone treatment to form the black diamonds.  

Natural Black Diamonds vs Treated Black Diamonds

Naturally Occurring Black Diamonds 

Viewing from the scientific aspect, a natural black diamond’s formation includes a mixture of diamond, graphite, and carbon which is the reason behind the dark coloration of black stone since the process these diamonds undergo to become what they are is similar to the formation of colored diamonds since the black gemstones to contain a lot of inclusions, the only difference being is that they have remnants of graphite, pyrite or hematite attached to the contaminations.

The deep dark color gives rise to absolute opaqueness that is visible for black diamonds which is contracting to the transparent nature of the white diamonds. These diamonds also contain multiple internal peculiarities like cleavages or fractures that could be stained black due to graphitization hence creating the signature black shade that black diamonds have.

The basic process of formation for both the black and white diamonds is quite similar with the major difference being the presence and absence of inclusions in the two respectively. Naturally occurring black diamonds too are formed under the extreme conditions provided by the earth, however, they have a massive amount of inclusions present within which is responsible for the darkened color. The absence of these inclusions in the white diamonds, however, is the reason behind why they appear white and clear. 

Treated Black Diamonds 

The treated black diamonds are the stones found in the majority of black diamond jewelry like earrings and engagement rings. These are the diamonds that are black in color because of the artificially induced treatment they have undergone.

The diamonds that are chosen to undergo the treatment are the grey-colored, heavily included ones that are subjected to a combination of conditions like high temperature and low pressure leading to the fractures present in the diamond being graphitized and turning black. Another method that comes under the same umbrella is the creation of black diamonds by the irradiation of off-colored ones. 

Also read: Black Diamond Jewelry: The Next Great Thing To Celebrate

Quality of Black Diamonds 

Black diamonds are not as expensive in the market as their white and colored counterparts are. The reason behind is the common knowledge that jewelers only use a white diamond of extremely low clarity and quality grade for the formation of black diamonds as they are aware that it would be foolish to perform the treatment on a white diamond of good quality and then sell it in the market in the form of black diamonds at much lower prices. This is one reason why people have the misconception that black diamonds are of low quality just because their source of origin was a white diamond of poor quality. 

When keeping naturally occurring black diamonds in mind, people bear this misconception because the inclusions present in these diamonds are usually perceived with a negative eye. However, many are not aware that the black coloration is not just because of the inclusions but also due to the diamond’s peculiar structure and how it affects the reflection of light because most of it is absorbed by the stone. Hence to typecast black diamonds into the category of low quality is not right in this case either. 

Therefore even if the black diamonds have a lower grade in the quality chart designed by reputable organizations like the GIA, this does not necessarily mean that the diamond’s quality is bad since most of the specifications that are used for the grading system are specific towards the white and colored diamonds and simply grade the black diamonds in the lower range just because of its color and structure. 

So to accurately know whether a black diamond is of good quality or not, the customer must know the differences between the three types of diamonds wherein the nature-made diamonds are of the highest quality and lab-made ones are the least and also be aware of other factors that affect a black diamond’s quality like the cut, color distribution, quality of polish, etc. 

Should a Customer Buy Black Diamonds? 

The purchase of black diamonds depends majorly on personal preferences since they are not the usual white or colored diamonds that anyone can browse through and decide to purchase. Black diamonds are not for everyone and only customers who have a thrill for something out of the world and exotic should have their eyes and pocket fixed on them. 

Since these diamonds do not exude the basic sparkle and brilliance that a white and colored diamond possesses, black diamonds attract people based on their metallic appearance and luster. They are also a lot less costly than white and colored counterparts and can be an easy choice for someone who has a budget but still wants to add some contrasting beauty and excitement to their jewelry collection. 

Stones like onyx or something similar could fulfill the same purpose however they do not offer the durability of a diamond and a black diamond is, after all, a real diamond. The highest suitability of black diamonds is observed when it is fitted into white settings made of platinum, white gold, or silver. For a contrast of stronger impact, many pieces of jewelry showcase a combination of white diamonds with black ones wherein the sparkle and brilliance of the white diamonds are enhanced because of the presence of the black gems and enhance the appearance of the entire set of jewelry. 

Also read: All About The Factors Affecting The Black Diamond Engagement Ring

Conclusion Thoughts

The big dollar question of whether someone should buy a black diamond is a matter of personal preference. If customers are interested in something bold and exotic that represents not just a form of uniqueness but also dominance and power, they should definitely consider the inclusion of black diamonds into their jewelry collection.