Are black-coloured diamonds real?
Black diamonds are real. When most people think about diamonds, they imagine white diamonds. They rarely think of black diamond rings in the same way as traditional engagement ring styles.
Very few buyers choose a black diamond ring. In fact, it makes a fresh alternative to traditional white diamond engagement ring styles. Moreover, they represent the least expensive type of diamond available.
Famous Black Diamonds
Famous examples exist throughout history. For example, the 67.50-carat ‘Black Orlov’ (also called the Eye of Brahman). Legend has it that the stone was stolen from an idol in India in the early 1800s.
Contrary to popular belief, this unusual form of diamond does not have the same transparent appearance as a white diamond. They are completely opaque. Furthermore, most have a metallic appearance similar to hematite.
The rise in demand for Black jewellery design
Historically, there was little need until fairly recently. Late in the 20th Century, jewellery designs began working with fancy black diamonds. Many jewellers varied the black and white pattern with striking effects.
Black and white diamonds create contrast across a piece of jewellery with a dramatic effect.
In the movies, the rise of the black engagement ring appeared when Mr Big gave Carrie Fisher a five-carat diamond engagement ring in the movie Sex and the City 2.
Further mention came as Carmen Electra and tattoo artist Kat Von D paraded their engagement ring just a couple of years later.
Besides engagement rings, our collection includes other types of black jewellery. For example, black wedding rings.
Black diamond engagement rings?
There are a few reasons why I think such diamonds appeal to some buyers. Firstly, they offer a unique variation on the popular white diamond engagement ring.
Secondly, they are less expensive than white diamonds, making them an attractive alternative to a traditional diamond ring. We create most designs with round stones. Alternative fancy diamond shapes exist, but be aware of weak points and corners in some diamond shapes.
1-carat black engagement ring. White diamonds appear around a cushion-shaped halo set with small white diamonds, adding interest to the ring. Set into Platinum.
Natural vs Treated.
Natural black diamonds are Carbonado, a raw form of polycrystalline diamond made up of diamond, graphite, and amorphous carbon. All natural diamonds formed between 1 to 3.5 billion years ago in the Earth’s Mantle 250 km below the surface.
Some sources suggest the existence of this type of diamond in outer space. Perhaps, due to a collision with Earth billions of years ago.
Natural-coloured diamonds are more porous than white, colourless diamonds. As a result, it can be more difficult for diamond cutters to achieve good polish. Think of a natural black coloured diamond as a diamond with an incredible amount of inclusions stopping light from passing into the diamond. Tiny mineral inclusions, including graphite, pyrite or Haematite, spread throughout the stone give the material its black colour.
Treated Black Diamonds
Treated diamonds start as natural, low-clarity diamonds. White diamonds of very low clarity undergo a treatment process to change the stone’s colour. Technicians colour black diamonds using specific treatments to change the way light reflects from the stone.
Many treated examples start as grey, heavily included or fractured diamonds and get their colour through a process of high-temperature/low-pressure treatments. This process darkens the fractures, making them black.
The treatment of some stones can also produce a green so dark the stone appears to the naked eye as black. Not every diamond dealer stocks coloured diamonds. On the contrary, most diamond dealers work mainly with white diamonds.
Caring for your diamond
Diamonds are very hard. Generally speaking, they have the same natural hardness as white diamonds. However, because the stones have so many marks, they are more prone to breakage.
Also, they smear easily during daily wear. For example, grease and oils show visibly on a black gemstone. For this reason, it is crucial to keep your ring clean. Our Dry Wipes and DazzleStik work very well for this purpose.
Black diamond halo engagement ring ‘Noir’ – with 1-carat black diamond centre
How to wear jewellery
Black diamond jewellery designs often feature white diamonds for contrast. In the same way, Platinum and White Gold provide the necessary contrast with any black gemstone. However, many designs add warmth and colour with Rose Gold and Yellow Gold settings.
For example, Dress rings set with small pavé diamonds in both colours look amazing. As shown below, the difference makes a statement. Many jewellers achieve contrast by setting both colours next to each other.
Black diamond eternity rings.
Set into an eternity ring, we achieve incredible combinations. At the same time, styles deviate from more traditional eternity ring designs.
Again, try mixing white with black. Striped black and white eternity ring designs stand out on the finger. Furthermore, fewer jewellers feature such designs. As a result, they create the opportunity to be a little different.
Black and white diamond dress ring with stones held within claws, finished with Black Rhodium plating to complete the look.
Black diamond pendants
Besides single-stone settings, many alternative pendant styles are available. For example, the necklace below shows a circular design. The whiteness of the Rhodium and white diamonds adds a beautiful level of contrast to the pendant.
Our photograph shows black and white diamonds in an elegant circular pendant design.
Diamond earrings
In the same fashion, black diamond earrings look amazing. Black stud earrings require a matching pair of black stones. But pairing diamonds can be tricky.
By comparison, cluster earrings feature tiny diamonds. As a result, they are easier to match and cut into smaller sizes. Decide whether you want classic stud earring styles, or contrasting black and white diamond earrings.
Black diamond hoop earrings look incredible. Here, we see black pavé-set diamonds appear on the outside. Inner diamonds provide a diamond-paved appearance. Each section includes Black Rhodium for an even look.
In reality, both black and white diamond earrings work well with most outfits; moreover, they suit both daytime and evening wear. Unlike rings, earrings wear a little. As a result, there is less risk of damaging black diamonds.
Black Diamond Necklaces
Our example below made a rare appearance in our shop. Originating in India, the 18ct Yellow Gold necklace features an arrangement of drilled and strung diamonds.
Approximately 5 carats of diamonds are set in this design on an 18ct Yellow Gold wire necklace.
View the necklace within our pre-loved selection on our main website.
Get more help with Black gemstones and diamonds.
If you’re looking for more advice on black-coloured diamonds, contact us for additional guidance. We provide guidance on black diamond ring designs and loose gemstones.
Our small and friendly team remain on hand to assist with any enquiries in our UK showroom in Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
Salt, Pepper and Galaxy Diamonds
For anyone interested in choices to black-coloured diamonds, we work with two further types of diamonds. Salt and Pepper diamonds and Galaxy diamonds make a feature of their lack of clarity.
Moreover, buyers prize them for the unique dispersion of dotted inclusions. Read more about both types of diamond in our dedicated post, which features jewellery examples for both types of diamond.
Unique diamond shapes
As we have already shown, many different diamond styles exist, with huge variations in shape. One of our recent commissions featured a black kite-shaped diamond, with additional round and pear-shaped diamonds. We created the ring by bespoke design for our client in Platinum. View the design on our bespoke gallery section for more details and specifications.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, absolutely. Black diamonds hold a value which varies from one diamond to another. Typically, their value is less than that of white, higher-clarity diamonds.
Yes. Black diamonds are formed in the earth in the same way as other natural diamonds. Their physical and chemical composition is the same, except their very low clarity. At the same time, many diamonds are treated to enhance the black colour.
Black diamonds are less popular than white diamonds for engagement rings. However, some buyers pair them with white diamonds for a dramatic effect, contrasting black against white.
About Mark Johnson
My name is Mark and I'm founder at Serendipity Diamonds. I have 30 years or experience in polished diamonds and jewellery. Today, I work with an expert team in our Isle of Wight jewellery showroom located in Ryde. Most of my work involves helping clients in our showroom, working on our two websites and photographing jewellery commissions.
