Black Diamonds In Jewelry

When the majority of folks think of diamonds, they bring up mental images of sparkling white gems that glitter and shimmer, catching and reflecting light in dazzling arrays. In most instances, when it is time to shop for and purchase diamond jewelry, people seek out diamonds that are the most clear and brilliant. However, the black diamond, while not bright and clear is another variety of the precious stone that is increasing in popularity.

There was a time when a diamond of this darkest color was considered to be damaged, flawed, imperfect and virtually worthless. But that opinion has changed significantly and black diamonds are quickly becoming one of the unique league of gems that are being more and more sought-after, precisely because of their rarity and their exquisite uniqueness.

There are many who have started to think that the fashion jewelry bling and much of the diamond jewelry available is becoming commonplace and ordinary. For those who feel that way, a black diamond might be the solution. They can enjoy showing off their bling while still having something unique that very few others own.

If you are in the market for black diamonds, then you should know that they are not all "created equal" and some care and attention needs to be given to the various characteristics of this unique gemstone. As with any type of rare gem, it is important to be sure about the quality of the stone before making a purchase.

First of all, it should be known that black diamonds can vary in color and might appear to be light gray or smoky, dark gray or pure black. What give these diamonds their tint and smoky color is inclusions of various types of minerals in the stone. The most common mineral inclusions in these black beauties are various iron oxides, such as hematite, sulfide, or magnetite.

The higher the concentration of oxides, the darker and richer the tone, from a light gray all the way to black. This tinting is caused not by impurities, but by the inclusions, and black diamonds are typically opaque. However, there are some specimens that are semi-transparent or even translucent, and these are extremely rare and even more valuable.

Carbonados are a classification of black diamonds which have virtually no value in terms of the gem in the jewelry industry. Even though they might be labeled as black diamonds, carbonados are very porous and they are much more common, and therefore carry less value than the gem-quality stones. In fact, the most common use for carbonados is as an abrasive and they are often used to cut and to shape the high-quality diamond stones.

Since the gray or black diamond is still an uncommon sight in most fine jewelry store stores, these rare beauties are also very expensive. One way to reduce the cost of a fine piece of jewelry is to limit the use of the black diamonds, perhaps by choosing to use just one as the centerpiece of the setting. The main stone can be surrounded by less expensive diamonds or other gemstones and this will actually help to highlight the black beauty.