1. What are black diamonds?
Black and White Diamond Crossover Ring
Famous for their metallic gloss, black diamonds are gaining popularity in the engagement ring market thanks to their offbeat beauty and affordability. Our clients often ask us what makes a black diamond black and whether these stones are, in fact, real diamonds, so let’s set the record straight.
Black diamonds are crystallised carbon, so made from the same stuff as white diamonds. Through a high density of inclusions or slight variations in the temperature and radiation they experienced underground, these diamonds turned out to be black. Natural fancy black diamonds are monocrystalline diamonds containing dense microscopic inclusions of dark minerals like graphite, hematite, or pyrite. (These differ from carbonado, which is a rare, porous polycrystalline diamond aggregate found in South America and Central Africa.) Many black diamonds on the commercial market are white diamonds treated via high-temperature annealing or irradiation to produce a uniform, opaque black appearance.
2. Do inclusions make diamonds dull?
As any student of the four C’s will know, diamonds come in a variety of clarities ranging from internally flawless to an eye-clean spectrum and finally to a range of lower clarities where inclusions are visible to the unaided eye.
To be fair, all inclusions are not the same. From barely there feathers to slight irregularities within the crystal structure, some impurities can be very subtle, almost invisible. Inclusions are natural microscopic mineral crystals—such as garnet, olivine, or graphite—or internal crystal growth features (like feathers) formed alongside the diamond deep within the Earth.
Although inclusions, as a rule, depreciate diamonds, they are a testament to the stone’s uniqueness and natural origin. Apart from severely included diamonds, inclusions do not affect the stone’s brilliance (sparkle). This aspect is rather governed by a diamond’s cut quality.
3. What is cut quality?
Under the GIA grading system, an official overall Cut Grade is assigned exclusively to standard Round Brilliant cut diamonds. For fancy shapes (such as ovals, cushions, or emerald cuts), GIA evaluates Polish and Symmetry rather than assigning an overall Cut Grade. This cut grade refers to the refractive angles, depths and proportions a diamond has been polished to. If the proportions are, for example, too deep or too shallow, the diamond will not have the optimal dispersion of light and will not appear as brilliant as a diamond cut to optimal proportions.
When shopping for a GIA-certified diamond, look out for a stone awarded with an ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ cut grade. Even better, look for one that has been awarded a triple excellent (ex/ex/ex) grading. This means the cut, polish and symmetry are of the highest standard. These stones can be more expensive than a diamond with equivalent weight, colour and clarity, but a poor cut. The value becomes clear when you compare the stones, though. Nothing shines with the fire of a well-cut diamond, and you deserve the very best.
When it comes to choosing the perfect diamond, look no further than the Mark Solomon Jewellers showroom in Sea Point, Cape Town. We carry the largest selection of GIA-certified, loose diamonds in Cape Town, as well as an extensive selection of beautifully handcrafted designer engagement rings. Our master goldsmiths and team of highly qualified jewellery designers are at your service to create a custom-made diamond engagement ring to suit your individual style.
Contact us today to find out more or to get a quote on the diamond engagement ring of your dreams.
