Carbonados, commonly known as black diamonds are hot this season and it does not appear that they will cool down in demand anytime soon. Hollywood stars, sports heroes, and everyday women and men are hankering to get these beauties in their jewelry collection. Black diamonds are guaranteed to stand out in the spotlight. While their intriguing color alone sets them apart from other diamonds, these black stunners also attract interest because an aura of curiosity embraces their beginnings.
What Are Black Diamonds?
As a natural stone, it is a polycrystalline diamond found in silty or alluvial sediments in Brazil or the Central African Republic. Its color is black or dark gray and more permeable than any other color of diamond.
Black diamonds are usually the size of a pea or a bigger porous collection of many small black crystals. The Carbonados are usually not found in areas where the typical diamond gem is mined. They are found in younger eroded rocks but the crystallization can date back as far as three billion years. Diamonds usually contain additions of pyrope and forsterite but such material are not found in the black diamonds.
Conversely, most black diamonds do not even include minerals that are characteristic to the Earth’s crust. Thus the opinion by some is that black diamonds are formed by meteors. Geoscientists propose that a supernova travelled through space for about a billion years and a large mass dropped to Earth fragmenting between Brazil and Central Africa. This belief, myth or not, only serves to make the black diamond more valuable.
There are several other theories about their origin, but however they got here, natural and mysterious black diamonds are filled with millions of miniscule crystals as opposed to the single crystal found in regular diamonds. Instead of reflecting light, black diamonds capture, absorb and hold rays, resulting in their dark color and a sleek, polished surface much like that of marble or of an an onyx. Another name for them is carbonado diamonds, given to them because of their carbonized or burnt appearance.
Natural black diamonds have the highest rate of hardness that can be assigned to the gem. Their multitude of crystals contribute to this strength but also pose a very challenging and unpredictable task for diamond cutters. The difficulty of working with natural black diamonds led to the development of man-made black diamonds, which are more affordable and most often used in jewelry design.
Black diamonds can be man-made in one of two ways. One method is to expose a regular diamond to high levels of heat, causing a graphite residue to settle in its crystal and give it the appearance of opaque black. The most common process is irradiation in which ordinary diamonds are treated with radiation to make them appear black. Under normal conditions it looks black, but if the gem is held under a fiber-optic light the observer can see that it is a deep green. The light illuminates the very center of the stone and appears green not black. This is the technique for determining whether a black diamond is natural or man made. These diamonds are usually sold with a lab certificate that references them as “treated.” Current irradiation techniques are perfectly safe and do not leave any dangerous residue on the diamonds.
So, should you buy a natural or man-made black diamond?
Natural black diamonds are much rarer and harder to find, so expect to pay more for the natural gem. Many people prefer the enhanced stone because the color is more uniform. The quality is also believed to be better simply because it is an enhanced white diamond.
Natural or lab-made is a personal choice. Regardless of the origin, the sophisticated appearance of the black diamond has proven its reputation as a stylish stone with a rich appearance.
Black Diamond Jewelry
There are many articles of outstanding jewelry pieces available for men or women. They include black diamond rings, engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings, necklaces, chains, bracelets, and watches.
Black diamond rings are delicate, dramatic and everywhere in between. Gents and ladies can choose from traditional or unusual cuts, an array of settings and gem combinations, all band widths and a variety of accents. Popular black diamond ring types are engagement, wedding, eternity and promise rings.
Wedding rings for men in black diamonds have become extremely popular and continue to grow in demand. Traditionally men’s wedding rings have been simple. Grooms have been uneasy with white diamonds claiming that they were too feminine. Black diamonds present a perfect compromise. They don’t sparkle like white diamonds and communicate a masculine touch while preserving elegance.
Women love contrasting the black gemstone with white stones. This is particularly true in with wedding bands and engagement rings. The finished set is a stunning display of contrasting stones.
Many black diamond pieces are set in white gold, sterling silver or platinum. The striking and complimentary contrast has made these settings the most popular, but yellow gold settings are also available and offer an elegant, softer appeal. Black diamond pieces are often accented with shimmering white diamonds and can also be found paired with raidient rubies, emeralds, blue topaz and other colored gems.
There really is no limit to the types of black diamond jewelry available, especially with the surge of interest this ebony beauty has sparked in recent years. Necklaces and pendants include all the classic styles such as solitaires, circles, knots, hearts and teardrops, as well as more expressive symbols like crosses, animals and flowers. Bracelet styles range from simply stated to boldly announced while earring choices span from studs to cascades.
The best news is that any piece of jewelry which can hold a stone can be home to a black diamond. However, watches are becoming the go-to piece of jewelry for trendsetting jewelry wearers. Black diamond designer watches first became noticed at red carpet events on celebrities. These designer watches are now becoming more affordable to the general public, but they are also status symbols. Additionally the unisex qualities of a black diamond watch appeals to women as well as men. Simply put black is the new white.
Remember there is a piece of black diamond jewelry on the market for anyone. Pieces can be purchased in jewelry stores and online. There are many choices of black diamonds in a variety of cuts and sizes or the gems can be paired with another category of gem. Black diamonds can be found in any piece of jewelry; earrings, necklaces, chains, bracelets and rings.
The world’s rarest diamond has become one of the world’s most desired diamonds, available in versatile designs for every taste. Discover black diamonds and discover that a little mystique looks good on you.