Why is BLACK DIAMOND JEWELRY special?
To me, they are the little black dress of your jewelry wardrobe, which means they elevate everything!
Natural black diamonds, like other colored diamonds, are more rare than colorless diamonds.
Together with gemstone expert and GIA Graduate Gemologist® Adrianne Sanogo, we are delighted to share The Skinny on Black Diamond!
WHAT IS A BLACK DIAMOND?
Black diamonds are fascinating, as it is inclusions that give them their glossy, opaque quality. Talk about perfect imperfections!
While this rich color can occur naturally due to the presence of graphite during its formation, it is more commonly achieved through heat treatment.
There are other black-hued gemstones, such as black sapphire, spinel, tourmaline, and onyx, but there is nothing like the metallic, smoldering sheen when light bounces off black diamonds!
While Carrie Bradshaw’s black diamond engagement ring from Big in Sex and the City ushered this beauty into our cultural consciousness, it is an exquisite jewelry wardrobe staple that is as timeless as the little black dress. Let’s not forget that men are in favor of wearing black diamonds too!
We’ve outlined points to help you understand value and what to ask to make an informed decision on a piece of jewelry you will LOVE!
LOOKING AT WHERE TO BUY DISCERNING BLACK DIAMOND JEWELRY?
Our coveted selection of black diamond jewelry will amplify your personal style and empower you to be seen and taken seriously. Having pieces that tell a story that doesn’t look like everything else will ensure you are remembered for the extraordinary woman you are. If you are seeking to invest in pieces for you or a gift for someone you love, discover how The Brilliant Concierge service finds jewelry that will be loved and worn.
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KRISTIN HANSON’S BLACK DIAMOND JEWELRY
What are the kinds of black diamonds
The ideal black diamond exhibits an opaque rich black color with a high luster that exhibits a breathtaking metallic reflection.
What makes a black diamond black? Inclusions! The most common are graphite inclusions.
There are three kinds of black diamonds to be aware of: natural, treated, and laboratory-grown.
Natural black diamonds are those created exclusively by Mother Nature, naturally deep in the earth’s crust, without any human intervention. These are rare and desirable in the market, so command a premium.
Most of the black diamonds you see in the market are enhanced through “treatment”. Diamonds that come out of the earth that are highly included or gray are transformed by irradiation color treatment to achieve this alluring deep black.
While both are beautiful, they have very different price points.
Black diamonds can also be lab-grown - something that a reputable business will disclose.
SHOP FERAL JEWELRY’S BLACK DIAMOND AND BLACK-HUED JEWELRY
BLACK DIAMOND DISCO BALL CHAIN
$4,000
BLACK DIAMOND AND ONYX DROP EARRINGS
$9,000
FACETED ONYX SPIKE RING
$5,800
BLACK DIAMOND AND TRILOBITE EARRINGS
$5,000
INQUIRE for availability!
Where are black diamonds found?
While diamonds can be found in different regions around the world, black diamond deposits are found only in a few places including South Africa, Central African Republic, Brazil, Borneo, and Siberia.
Manifesting your intentions with diamonds
This gemstone attracts fortitude, inner strength, and creativity. They are also associated with protection, originality, and empowerment.
Just as our ancient ancestors believed gemstones were imbued with special properties, such as protection, wisdom, or courage, today we are empowered by the metaphysical properties of gemstones to manifest what we wish to create.
You may be interested in our guide to visualize your intentions through the metaphysical properties of gemstones and jewelry.
Gem quality diamonds can be treated to improve clarity and color - any of which should be disclosed. However, for black diamonds, most have been enhanced by irradiation to alter and enhance the opaque black color. Such enhancements are common and it is an accepted practice. It is only the rarest and most prized black diamonds that art not treated.
On the topic of treatment of any kind with any gemstone, knowledge is power because it always impacts value.
The MOHS SCALE:
How hard are BLACK DIAMONDS?
diamonds can scratch any other gemstone
Why black diamonds are a great alternative engagement ring
First, they are uniquely striking and dynamically different from other engagement rings.
Second, black diamonds are a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
The Mohs scale is important to consider when choosing a particular stone for a particular kind of wear.
It is the degree of mineral “hardness”, measured by the resistance which a smooth surface offers to abrasion: 1 (soft) to 10 (hard). For example, an 8 will scratch a gemstone that is a 7 or below. Simply put, the softer the stone, the more careful you need to be about wearing that stone in jewelry that may be exposed to more wear.
Given that diamonds are the hardest gemstones, they can scratch and damage softer stones that they may come in contact with. It is important that diamond jewelry be stored separately (for example in its own box or pouch) to ensure it will encounter less contact with softer stones.
What does sustainably and ethically sourced jewelry mean?
Women and men at the forefront of this global conversation will have slightly different perspectives, but there is a shared ethos: responsible sourcing.
This encompasses traceability, conflict-free, protecting people, their skills, and the environment - be it land or sea.
An ongoing initiative worth following is the Jewelry Glossary Project.
The purpose is to create shared definitions of key terms within the jewelry industry for use by the trade and the public. The project was launched to increase transparency throughout the supply chain, by building consensus on definitions for key terms and creating accountability for their usage.
How to care for diamond jewelry
A few jewelry care basics can keep your pieces looking their best, avoid damage and loss of gemstones.
WEAR: When dressing for day or night, jewelry should be the last thing on and the first thing off. Contact with chemicals such as fragrance, hairspray, nail polish remover, household cleaners, and chlorine can harm jewelry.
Remove jewelry when cleaning, gardening, swimming, or playing sports, as contact with hard surfaces can scratch, damage, or loosen stones in prongs.
CHECK SETTINGS AND STONES: Inspect jewelry before wearing it to check if the stones are chipped, loose, or rattle in settings.
CLEANING: All precious metals, gemstones, and pearls should be cleaned regularly, but require different care. For example, ultrasonic cleaners can crack opals, shatter pearls or diminish their appearance. Avoid using steam and ultrasonic cleaners with black diamond.
● For gemstones on the Mohs scale at 7 or above, a simple cleaning solution is warm water with mild soap and a soft toothbrush. For those at 6 or below, replace the toothbrush with a tightly woven microfiber or other soft cloth.
● A soft polishing cloth will keep any precious metal looking its best.
● Take any investment pieces to a trustworthy professional jeweler once a year for a thorough cleaning and inspection.
● See our full guide to How To Clean Fine Jewelry.
STORAGE: Keep jewelry individually stored in a pouch or box to avoid scratches and abrasions from other gemstones and metal, as well as general tangles and dents.
INSURANCE: For any jewelry of significant value, be sure to have it appraised, file any provenance and gemstone report in a secure place, and be sure to have it insured.
Meet THE ENIGMA!
A significant fancy black diamond with 55 facets, weighing 555.55 carats - adding to the symbolic significance of the number five in Middle Eastern cultures!
