BLACK DIAMONDS

ARE BLACK DIAMONDS REAL?

There are black diamonds, and there are Natural Fancy Black Diamonds. Though both types are real, the black colour in the first group is not natural. It is the result of heating treatments. Natural Fancy Black Diamonds on the other hand are found in the rough with the same black colour they display when they are bought. Needless to say the real appeal and value in black diamonds is in their unique and rare colour, which is only the case if they are found this way.

ARE BLACK DIAMONDS EXPENSIVE?

Natural black diamonds are quite affordable, but obviously it depends on the size sought after. Heated black diamonds are less expensive and the demand is quite low as most prefer the real thing. In general, the prices run from around $300 per carat. Fancy Black Diamonds will cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 per carat.

WHAT ARE BLACK DIAMONDS? HOW ARE THEY MADE?

Black diamonds are opaque diamonds with a black colour that come in only one colour-intensity: Fancy Black, unlike the characteristic of colour in other colour diamonds. Only two other diamond colours come in just the Fancy intensity, and these are White and Red diamonds. Fancy White diamonds are also similar in that they are opaque, although Red diamonds do not share this characteristic.

Other colour diamonds are found in a variety of colour intensities ranging from Faint to Fancy Deep/Dark. Unlike other colour diamonds that receive their colour from geological impurities such as nitrogen, hydrogen, and boron, black diamonds owe their colour to the inclusion of graphite and random clustering throughout the diamond. Over the years, black diamonds have grown greatly in terms of popularity due to celebrities who have been seen sporting black diamond Jewellery.

WHAT ARE ENHANCED BLACK DIAMONDS?

Since black diamonds are so rare, some diamantaires began artificially enhancing low quality colourless diamonds by burning them in the rough state until they receive the opaque black colour. This brings down the price compared to a natural black diamond drastically, but is entirely artificial and will not be graded by the GIA.

WHERE DO BLACK DIAMONDS COME FROM?

Black diamonds are found in very few locations. These locations include Brazil and Central Africa.

WHERE TO BUY BLACK DIAMONDS?

If you truly want a special black diamond, then it is highly advised to look for a natural Fancy Black Diamond. These beauties received their mesmerizing colour from Mother Nature. Compared to many other coloured diamonds, or colourless diamonds, Fancy Black Diamonds are rather inexpensive, if you are limited in budget you can look into treated heated black diamonds. Reve Diamonds holds a large selection of Fancy Black Diamonds and Treated Heated Black Diamonds.

WHO IS FAMOUS FOR WEARING BLACK DIAMONDS ON THE RED CARPET?

Of course, one of the most famous black diamonds is the fictional engagement rings that Mr. Big gives Carrie Bradshaw in the wildly popular tv show Sex and the City. When he presents her with the black diamond halo ring, he tells her that he has given it to her because she is 'not like anyone else'. In the real world, fashion icon Carmen Electra received a black diamond engagement ring from rocker Rob Patterson, and black diamond earrings have been spotted on the likes of Katherine Heigl, Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Evan Rachel Wood, Jennifer Lawrence, Lauren Conrad, and Sarah Jessica Parker, to name a few.

Gwenyth Paltrow is famous for having worn a chain-link pave black diamond bracelet at the Emmy's in 2011, and Angelina gave a pair of pave black diamond serpent cufflinks to husband Brad Pitt. Angelina Jolie's black diamond serpent cufflink present to Brad Pitt Black Diamond and Emerald Serpent Cufflinks By Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.

ARE THERE ANY FAMOUS BLACK DIAMONDS?

The most famous black diamond of all time is the Black Orlov, a 67.50 carat, cushion-cut diamond brooch surrounded by 108 white diamonds and suspended from a 124-diamond necklace. Legend has it that the Black Orlov, also known as the "Eye of Brahma" was an uncut black stone of 195 carats, pried out of the eye of the statute of the sacred Hindu God Brahma, from a temple in Southern India. It takes much from the story surrounding the legendary Hope diamond. Other famous black diamond include the Gruosi diamond, the Table of Islam, the Korloff Noir, the Black Star of Africa, and the Spirit of de Grisogono diamond.

The old Moghul-cut, 312.24 carat, black Spirit of de Grisogono diamond is the largest black diamond in the world. It was mined in the Central African Republic but further details of the diamond are not known.

The heart-shaped, 115.34 carat black Gruosi diamond was discovered in India in 1998 and was cut by the world renowned black diamond cutting specialist, de Grisogono.

The Table of Islam is a Fancy Black square emerald cut diamond weighing in at an impressive 160.18 carats. Little more is known about this diamond.

The Black Star of Africa is an impressive 202 carat Fancy Black diamond. This black diamond was seen for the last time in Tokyo in 1971.

The 88 carat Korloff Noir diamond is now located with the Korloff jewellers in France and is reputed to bring good luck to the owner.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BLACK DIAMONDS AND WHITE/COLOURLESS DIAMONDS?

Black diamonds and colourless diamonds are almost exactly the same except for the fact that the black colour is produced by the inclusion of graphite in the crystalline structure during the diamond's formation, before the kimberlite deposits reached the Earth's surface. Therefore, the only difference between them is that black diamonds have the graphite inclusion and colourless diamonds do not. They are both formed by high pressure on the element of carbon under the Earth's surface, that produces a repeating geometric pattern in the crystal lattice. Black diamonds are completely real diamonds and almost exactly the same as colourless diamonds except for the colour.

ARE BLACK DIAMONDS AN INVESTMENT?

Generally, pink, red, and blue diamonds are considered the prime diamond colours for investment. An investment diamond is one that will rise considerably in value over time as their supply deteriorates and demand continues to rise. A black diamond would only be considered an investment item if it was considerably large or had a distinctive feature or factor that would make it in high demand in the market.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY BLACK DIAMOND?

Care for your black diamond the exact same way that you would care for any diamond. The best way to clean a diamond is with a professional jeweller, who will power steam a piece of Jewellery to remove all of the dirt and grime. However, if you are cleaning your diamond at home, the best way to clean it would be with a gentle brush like a toothbrush, and a gentle soap like dishwashing liquid. Carefully brush the piece of Jewellery with the soap and rinse under warm water. Dry with a polishing cloth for best results.

ARE BLACK DIAMONDS RARE?

Natural fancy black diamonds are indeed more rare than common colourless diamonds. There are 2 kinds of black diamonds in the marketplace, diamonds that because black naturally during their formation and diamonds that are enhanced (burned) to display a black colour. While they are by no means the rarest occurring colour in nature, they are one of the most valued for their artistic beauty and dark allure, and are often incorporated into Men's Jewellery as a masculine touch.

DO BLACK DIAMONDS LOOK GOOD AS JEWELLERY?

Black diamonds look wonderful on Jewellery, and have been seen as the glowing centerpiece of Jewellery for both men and women, from cufflinks to engagement rings, wedding bands, bracelets and necklaces. Like all diamonds, you are most likely to see, appreciate, and enjoy your diamonds when they are set in a piece of Jewellery for you to enjoy, and there is absolutely no risk to the health of your diamond if you wear it and use it. For this reason, many people let themselves fall in love with a specific diamond and set it into a piece of Jewellery so that they can fully enjoy their purchase to the greatest extent possible. Whether it is to celebrate a special occasion or something that you bought just because, a diamond is a beautiful gesture of eternity, heritage, and love and we encourage you to enjoy it forever.

CAN I WEAR A BLACK DIAMOND AS MY ENGAGEMENT RING?

You most certainly can wear a black diamond as your engagement ring! The concept of colourless diamond engagement rings was popularized by the De Beers diamond corporation in the 1940s. However, before this and in the decades since them, many brides chose from a variety of center stones for their engagement ring, including gemstones and, colour diamonds, and center stones with colour. What has always been the case is that a bride chooses the engagement ring that best suits her personal style and taste, no matter what that style choice may be. The important thing to remember is that you should love your ring, since you will be wearing it every single day for the rest of your life, and potentially passing it down to future generations as a treasured memory and keepsake. Since it is yours to commemorate you love, choose the ring that you want the most, regardless of the advice you may receive or what is common.