When out shopping for diamonds, do you ever wonder if a black diamond is a real diamond? And if it is authentic, how does it gain this unique color naturally? If you’re planning to buy a black diamond engagement ring or a black diamond wedding band for a special woman in your life but are unsure of the idea, here’s some valuable insight for you.
For starters, a black diamond is as real as your white variety but, of course, not as expected. It develops the unique black color naturally and is still just as valuable as a gemstone is. You may hear people referring to the black gems as carbonado too. Africa and Brazil are the most significant sources of this unique black stone.
Formation of Black Diamonds
The composition of a black diamond is the same as for white ones, but their crystal structure sets them apart. Also, the black diamonds gain their uniqueness due to several other inclusions that lend the stone its striking color.
When a colorless or white diamond develops an inclusion, at most, you will see this appear as tiny dark specs on the stone. Only when the inclusions reach an extreme does the diamond turn wholly black, and here is how the rare gemstone comes about.
But when we talk about the formation process itself, there is the absolute fact behind it. Many believe that black diamonds came into existence approximately two million years ago when an asteroid fell on the earth.
Others believe that these diamonds came into shape due to high pressure within the earth. No matter which theory is right about the source of origin, a black diamond is utterly rare and unique even today. No other fancy colored stones can match this uniqueness because the colorful varieties have to incorporate chemical impurities inside the diamond’s composition to take on a particular color.
Black Diamond Types
In truth, black diamonds exist in only two types: one that forms naturally and those which are color treated. As is with all other gemstones, the precious ones are those that include naturally.
When you consider a treated diamond, it will not be far less valuable than its natural counterpart. The reason is that they are initially white diamonds that have to undergo high levels of fracture incorporation and inclusions. You may often find these in dull grey appearance too.
Most diamonds in this raw state are of no use except for industrial purposes. Only when they undergo pressure, heat, and irradiation treatments and obtain a black hue do they become somewhat valuable. Even then, nothing can make them comparable to the natural black stones.
The natural black variety obtains their actual black color while they are in the creation process. Nature itself performs all the functions, and there is no external interference that puts on the black hue on the gemstones.
The inclusions also occur naturally from graphite clusters. This results in the metallic, black appearance that many of value significantly. The actual organic process is what makes the real black diamond extremely rare and highly precious.
Final Thoughts
Black diamonds have a powerful, bold, and stunning appearance. They can make a statement that no other gemstone can, and that is perhaps why people grade these as high-end gemstones. Today, you will find black diamond engagement rings and wedding rings just as much in vogue as the white variety and for all the right reasons.
