Black diamonds
are the rarest in the diamond family.
History
Black diamonds were
created 3.5 billion years ago. Over time, they pushed their way up to the
surface through volcanic eruptions about 1 million years ago.
Black diamonds are
considered to be "young," as clear diamonds were formed approximately
4.25 billion years ago.
Features
Full of scratch marks containing
sulfide deposits, black diamonds are opaque. They are just as hard as
clear diamonds, and Brazil is the major supplier of black diamonds. Uniformity
of color is quite uncommon, as most black diamonds appear gray and dark gray,
and the surface of the diamond is pitted, which makes cutting challenging.
Mythology
Conflicting myths concerning black
diamonds appear in different cultures. In India, black diamonds were considered
cursed and a sign of death, as they resembled the eyes of snakes and spiders.
In Italy, however, fighting couples could save their marriage simply by
touching the stone, as it was believed that all of their troubles would leave
them and enter the stone. The Karloff Noir diamond is believed to be the
world's largest cut black diamond at 88 carats, and legend has it that when
touched, it endows the person with good luck, fortune and happiness.
Men's Jewelry
The black diamond has been
traditionally used in men's jewelry; however, today, more women are interested
in acquiring black diamond jewelry as well. Often set in platinum or titanium
in men's rings, the black diamond does not have the fire of white diamonds, but
its luster has a beauty of its own. Titanium's color can be altered to match
the black diamonds, which provides a striking effect when worn.
Women's Jewelry
In women's jewelry, small black
diamonds are often paired with small white diamonds to take advantage of the
beautiful contrast between the two. Interestingly, black diamonds look better
contrasting with white, rather than clear diamonds, so clarity in the range of
G to I would contrast better than finer diamonds. Consequently, the white
stones would also cost less, which helps to offset the price of the black
stones. Cocktail rings, earrings, pendants and tennis bracelets have enjoyed a
surge in popularity, as women's fashions continue to use black and white as the
basis for most designs.
Wedding Jewelry
Since the turn of the twenty-first
century, black diamonds have become more popular in wedding jewelry, with both
bride and groom sometimes choosing wedding bands with black diamonds set in
them. Sometimes, the bride will also choose an engagement ring with either a
black diamond main stone surrounded by white diamonds, or a white diamond
solitaire with black diamond accent stones.
Fashion Jewelry
Genuine black diamonds are not
used in fashion jewelry. However, names of certain stones may confuse the purchaser.
The biggest black diamond in the world
The Spirit of de Grisogono, at 312.24 carats,
is the world’s largest cut black diamond, and world’s 5th largest diamond. In a white
gold mounting, it is set with 702 white diamonds totaling 36.69 carats. This
diamond originally had a rought weight of 587 carats and was mined several
decades ago in west Central Africa before being imported into Switzerland.
