Colored diamonds are the rage today. Their popularity is propelled by celebrity star power. One of the most popular trends in colored stones is to have jewelry containing black diamonds. They are commonly seen on the red carpet. Public figures including Ivanka Trump, Carmen Electra, Kat Von D to Jennie Garth, and many more wear black diamond rings. This is, in turn, has boosted their popularity in the market. One of the most significant surges in the popularity of these rings came after Carrie Bradshaw. The fictitious character in Sex and the City accepted a 5-carat black diamond engagement ring at the end of the 2nd installment of the film.
These black diamond rings have enjoyed skyrocketing popularity since then. If you are looking for a unique engagement ring for your spouse, a black diamond ring should be on your list. Well, there is a lot of mystery surrounding black diamonds and this turns off many shoppers who would otherwise want to buy this elegant and magnificent piece of jewelry. If you are undecided about buying a black diamond piece for your nuptials, worry not. This article demystifies black diamond jewelry and makes it easier to buy high-quality jewelry made with these colored gems.
Demystifying Black Diamonds
The fact that compared to other colored stones, black diamonds are not very common, has led to lots of speculation about these stones. The first question on every buyer’s mind is whether these diamonds are real. Like all other diamonds, natural black diamonds are real and in their natural form come from the Central African Republic and Brazil.
Unlike other colored diamonds which get their coloration from impurities during formation, a black diamond gets its dark color due to inclusions. These dark inclusions (graphite is the most common) spread across the diamond giving it the dark color. These stones also owe their opaqueness to their ‘polycrystalline’ structure that prevents them from reflecting light.
Types of Black Diamonds
- Naturally occurring black diamonds (Fancy black diamonds): These are naturally occurring and very rare. That is also called Carbonado diamonds and have a polycrystalline structure. Unlike ordinary white diamonds, they feature many small crystals. They are very rare and hence very expensive. They have graphite inclusions that make working with them quite difficult. However, master jewelers still work magic with them as seen in the Spirit of de Grisogono which is not only a black diamond but is the 5th largest diamond in the world. The uncut diamond weighed 587 carats but after cutting and finishing, it weighed only 312 carats.
- Enhanced black diamonds: These diamonds gain their black color from different technical treatments. The main processes used to treat enhanced diamonds include irradiation or heat treatment (high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). During these processes, the durability of the stone is not affected and the end result is a beautiful black gem that jeweler can use to create a magnificent ring. It is important to understand that these are not synthetic diamonds as they form from carbon like any other natural diamond and only go through treatment to give them their unique black appearance.
GIA Certified Black Diamond
If you have some experience buying high-quality diamonds, you will appreciate the importance of certification from bodies like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). These established third parties grade diamonds and provide certificates for them, thus GIA certified black diamond giving buyers more confidence about the quality of the stone. Natural black diamonds are GIA certified but enhanced diamonds are not.
Is Black Diamond Valuable?
When shopping for a black diamond ring, you will most likely go for a treated diamond because this is what is available in the market. The question at the back of your mind is whether these black diamonds have any value. Well, you will be surprised to learn that these black diamonds are highly valuable. The treatment process these pieces undergo does not affect the structure of the stone and you thus still have a tough colored diamond on your jewelry.
When compared on the Mohs hardness scale, black diamonds are a 10 and this is the same hardness level as colorless diamonds. The striking nature of the opaque stone makes these gems perfect choices for an engagement ring. Your ring is still valuable like any other diamond piece. However, if you are prefer to have a stone with high clarity, it is advisable to go for a colorless diamond ring.
Benefits of Buying Black Diamond Ring
If you are looking for cheap engagement rings, wedding ring, anniversary ring or any other type of ring, there are many options out there. The jewelry industry offers an overwhelming range of choices to suit the needs of any type of buyer. With so many options, you might be wondering if a black diamond piece is the perfect choice for a special occasion.
If you are pondering whether to buy a black diamond or not, consider the following benefits of black diamonds:
They are the Trending Jewelry Style
Whatever the special occasion you are buying a ring for, it is important to choose a piece that is stylish. Whether you are buying your own ring or you want to surprise a loved one with diamond promise rings, you need to buy a piece that is trendy and fashionable.
Black diamond rings are in vogue and you can’t go wrong with this amazing choice. From Hollywood stars to public figures, everyone has fallen in love with black diamonds and for many good reasons. If you are looking for an engagement ring that is modern, stylish and fashionable, it is time to think about a black diamond.
They Ooze Unique Beauty
Diamonds are loved the world over due to their sparkle. A black diamond piece might sound like a contradiction. It is understandable that you want a brilliant piece for your engagement but in fact, black diamond pieces help you achieve this. Jewelry designers now attest to the fact that a black diamond center stone helps to make the other diamonds on a ring even more resplendent. The contrast achieved by the opaque stone makes other colorless stones sparkle to give your ring an incredible brilliant look.
Make a Bold Statement
Black is a bold color and if your spouse’s personality is outgoing, this is just the stone you need to get them. Rings with black diamonds are contemporary yet have a subtle vintage touch to them. They help to make a bold fashion statement and the fact that the color of the stone is unique and beautiful will add value to the ring you buy.
No Worries About 4C’s
If you have ever tried shopping for unique diamond rings, you will appreciate how tedious the process is. You have to evaluate every piece for clarity, color, carat weight and cut. For a black diamond, you don’t have to worry about these qualities.
The stone is so dark that all imperfections disappear. The outer appearance of the stone is all you need to see to determine the quality of the stone. If the stone has a solid black color with no faded patches, it is a good center stone for your ring.
Boast Versatile Designs
It is true black diamonds are tough to work with. However, a talented jeweler is able to fashion the stone into popular traditional shapes. Some of the shapes you can choose for your ring include asscher cut, pear cut, heart cut, marquise cut, princess cut, emerald cut, brilliant cut, cushion cut, round cut and oval cut.
Black Diamonds are Affordable
This is one of the most overlooked facts about black diamond jewelry. It probably emanates from the misconceptions about this stone. Most black diamond jewelry you find in stores are made with enhanced diamonds. Although the quality of the stone remains intact, the fact that these diamonds undergo artificial alterations, lowers their price.
A cursory glance at the market rates for a 1-carat treated or enhanced black diamond shows that these stones range from $100 to $300 per carat. If you are looking for a treated black diamond engagement ring, you will pay around $200 to a $1,000.
Compare these to GIA certified natural black diamonds that range from $1,500 to $3,000 per carat. If you buy an engagement ring made of this type of black diamond, you expect to pay around $3,000. On the other hand, a colorless white diamond will set you back $5,000. If you are looking for a beautiful diamond ring without breaking the bank, a treated black diamond piece will do the trick.
There is so much misinformation about black diamonds and consequently about black diamond rings out there. With this insight, you can probably make the right decision when shopping for black diamonds. If you are looking for a beautiful yet stunning engagement ring, a black diamond ring could serve the purpose. These rings are unique, beautiful, and durable. The opaque nature of a black diamond at the center adds a dash of brilliance to the other colorless stones. This makes the entire ring irresistibly dazzling.
Go ahead now and buy one of these immaculate rings for your special occasion.