How are they formed?
Black diamonds get their luscious, dark tint from the very high number of inclusions within them. Nearly all diamonds have inclusions. These are described as tiny ‘imperfections’ or ‘blemishes’ inside a diamond left over from the process of the stone’s formation, caused by intense heat and pressure. Inclusions affect the clarity of a diamond.
With colourless diamonds (sometimes called white diamonds – though colourless is the more correct term), obviously the fewer inclusions the better, although, most inclusions are not even visible to the naked eye.
Colourless diamonds with larger and/or many inclusions will have a lower clarity grading. Completely ‘flawless’ diamonds with zero inclusions are so rare that most people will never see one.
But what if we turn all that on its head, and embrace the deep, dark beauty of a natural diamond abundant with inclusions? A singular stone; brimming with so-called imperfections. Is not such a ‘rogue’ devilishly alluring in its own wonderful way? Is it not a true talisman of raw nature in all its magnificent, visceral glory?
Black diamond breeds:
Technically, black diamonds are actually more similar to colourless diamonds than to the other ‘fancy’ coloured pink, blue and yellow diamonds. The fancies get their pretty colours from chemical reactions during formation; quite a different composition.
We speak of natural black diamonds above, but there are also black diamonds that have been treated to take on the colour.
These are usually produced from colourless diamonds which are laden with imperfections and fractures. They have a dull greyish hue and are used for industrial purposes, but are typically rejected by the jewellery industry. Such stones then undergo treatments with heat & pressure which brings on a dark tint and then a black-coloured diamond. These artificially created black diamonds can be readily distinguished from the naturally formed ones. Natural black diamonds are far more valuable than their lab-grown cousins.
Natural black diamonds are very rare. They have a strong and spirited presence. Some people seem to fall under the spell of black diamonds, and so they have become a niche alternative to colourless and popular fancy diamonds for engagement rings and other jewellery. Black diamonds have become more popular in recent years, so there’s quite a lot of choice now with engagement rings, earrings, bracelets and various premium pieces. Typically, a black diamond is set in white gold or platinum; these precious metals strikingly emphasise a stone’s ebony majesty. Sometimes black diamonds appear alongside colourless diamonds in marvellous contrast; yin and yang.
