Education
Diamond Education
- Lab Diamonds
- History Of Lab Grown Diamonds
- Lab Diamond Shapes
- Lab Diamonds
- Lab Diamond Ring Guide
- Lab Diamond Carat Guide
- Lab Diamonds Color Guide
- Lab Diamond Shape Guide
- Lab Diamond Size Guide
- Lab Diamond Cut Guide
- Lab Diamond Jewelry Guide
- Lab Diamonds vs Moissanite
- Lab Diamonds vs. Real Diamonds
- Lab Grown Diamond vs. Cubic Zirconia
- Lab Diamonds vs. White Sapphires
- Lab Diamonds
- Diamond 4 C's
- Diamond Buying Guide
- Answers to 1 Carat Diamond Questions
- Your Guide to Buying a Diamond Online
- How to Pick the Right Diamond
- Diamond Buying Mistakes
- Real vs. Fake Diamonds
- Lab Diamond Buying Guide
- 10 Most FAQ - Diamonds
- Off Size Diamonds Guide
- Popular Diamond Cuts
- Price of a 2 Carat Diamond
- Top FAQ - Lab Diamonds
- What Is the Average Diamond Size in Engagement Rings?
- Diamond Carat
- Diamond Clarity
- IF Diamonds
- FL Diamonds
- Diamond Inclusions Guide
- Flawless vs Internally Flawless
- Which Diamond Clarity Is Best?
- VS2 vs VS1: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- VVS2 vs VVS1: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- SI2 vs SI1: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- SI1 vs VS2: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- VS1 vs VVS2: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- Accent Diamond Clarity
- Lab Diamond Clarity
- SI Diamonds
- VS Diamonds
- VVS Diamonds
- Diamond Color
- Diamond Cut
- Diamond Cut Types
- Ideal Cut Diamonds
- Hearts and Arrows Diamonds
- What is Diamond Depth
- Diamond Table
- Lab Diamond Cut
- Antique Cut Diamonds
- Brilliant Cut Diamonds
- Rose Cut Diamonds
- What Is The Most Expensive Diamond Cut?
- What Are Step Cut Diamonds?
- Diamond Bow Ties
- How Are Diamonds Cut
- Diamond Brilliance
- Spread Diamonds
- Diamond Fire
- Crushed Ice Diamonds
- Diamond Shape
- Lab Diamond Shape
- Asscher
- Cushion
- Emerald
- Marquise
- Oval
- Pear
- Princess
- Radiant
- Round
- Which Diamond Cut Is Best?
- Round vs Princess Diamond Cut
- Round vs Cushion Diamond Cut
- Cushion vs Princess Diamonds
- Cushion vs Oval Cut Diamonds
- Emerald vs Asscher Cut Diamond
- Princess vs Marquis Diamonds
- Princess vs Radiant Cut Diamonds
- Cushion vs Asscher Cut Diamonds
- Emerald vs Radiant Cut Diamonds
- Oval vs Marquise Cut Diamonds
- Oval vs Pear Cut Diamonds
- Pear vs Marquise Cut Diamonds
- Emerald vs Cushion Cut Diamonds
- Elongated Cushion Cut Diamonds
- Diamond Certification
- Diamond Fluorescence
- How Diamonds Are Formed
- Diamond Pricing
- Diamond Size Chart Carat & MM
- Diamond Symmetry
- Diamond Polish
- Diamond Girdle
- Diamond Culet
- Engraved Rings
- Fancy Colored Diamonds
- Loose Diamonds
- History Of Lab Grown Diamonds
- Natural vs Synthetic Diamonds
- Diamond Sourcing
- NY Diamond District
- Diamond Certification
- A Guide to Accent Diamonds
Engagement Ring Education
- How To Buy Engagement Rings
- Affordable Engagement Rings
- Cost of a One Carat Diamond
- How To Buy A Lab Diamond Ring
- How to Buy An Engagement Ring In a Time Crunch
- How to Choose An Engagement Ring
- How to Pick Your Engagement Ring Budget
- Engagement Rings For Second Marriage
- Best Time to Buy An Engagement Ring
- How to Buy An Engagement Ring As a Couple
- Everything You Need to Know About Dainty Engagement Rings
- Future Mother In Law's Guide to Engagement Ring Shopping
- Engagement Ring Financing
- Why You Need an Engagement Ring Appraisal
- Best Round Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Square Cut Engagement Ring
- Top Teardrop Engagement Rings
- Best Asscher Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Oval Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Radiant Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Marquise Cut Engagement Rings
- Twisting Rings
- Best Emerald Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Dainty Engagement Rings
- Best Unique Engagement Rings
- Best Traditional Diamond Engagement Rings
- Best Split Shank Diamond Engagement Rings
- Top 10 Square Halo Engagement Rings
- Top 10 Unusual Engagement Rings
- Black Diamond Engagement Rings
- Edwardian Engagement Rings
- Antique Style Engagement Rings
- Nature Inspired Engagement Ring
- Filigree Rings
- Art Deco Rings
- Wide Band Engagement Rings
- Infinity Engagement Rings
- Best Two Tone Diamond Engagement Rings
- Victorian Style Engagement Rings
- Minimalistic Engagement Rings
- Big Style Engagement Rings
- Cute Style Engagement Rings
- Modern Style Engagement Rings
- Past Present and Future Rings
- Thin Engagement Rings
- Pretty Style Engagement Rings
- Double Band Engagement Rings
- 1 Carat Diamond Ring
- Top Princess Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Cushion Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Women's Rose Gold Engagement Rings
- Top Round Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Rings
- Top East West Engagement Rings
- Top Pave Engagement Rings
- Top Split Shank Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Unique Halo Engagement Rings
- Rose Gold Pear Shaped Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Pear Shaped Engagement Rings
- Top Oval Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Cushion Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Engagement Rings
- Top Marquise Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
- Top Emerald Cut Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Bypass Engagement Rings
- Top Rose Gold Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
- Top Rose Gold Oval Engagement Rings
- Top Emerald Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Oval Engagement Rings
- Top Rose Gold Emerald Cut Engagement Rings
- Top Oval Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Floating Diamond Engagement Rings
- Top Cushion Cut Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Princess Cut Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Simple Engagement Rings
- Vintage Style Engagement Rings
- Types of Accent Diamonds
- Everything You Need to Know Before Setting Diamonds
- Engagement Ring Prong Guide
- All About Ring Resizing
- Identifying Your Ring After A Repair
- Everything You Need to Know About Milgrain
- Everything You Need to Know About Wide Band Engagement Rings
- Eternity Rings vs Infinity Rings
- When To Propose
- What Are Baguette Diamond Engagement Rings
- What to Say When You Propose
- What Are the Groom's Parents Responsible For?
Gemstone Education
Jewelry Education
- Jewelry Buying Guide
- How To Buy Jewelry Online
- Diamond: 10th Anniversary Gifts
- Ruby: 40th Anniversary Gemstone & Jewelry
- Sapphire: 5th Anniversary Gemstone & Jewelry
- Top 10 Sapphire Earrings
- Emerald: 20th Anniversary Gemstone & Jewelry
- Top 10 Push Presents
- How To Shop For Christmas Jewelry Gifts
- How To Buy An Anniversary Band
Metal Education
Natural Black Diamonds vs. Lab Grown Black Diamonds
How Much Is a Black Diamond Worth
You don’t need a pair of skis to get properly acquainted with a black diamond. Though a popular term on the slopes, here we’re focusing on black diamonds (otherwise known as carbonados) of the gemstone nature. Moreover, exploring the differences between lab grown black diamonds, and those of the naturally grown variety.
Naturally Grown Fancy Black Diamonds: Origins & Price
Origins
Naturally grown black diamonds, while possible, are very rarely found in nature. In past instances, they’ve been found in Brazil, Central Africa, and other locations around the globe. Unlike other color diamonds that can attribute their color to geological impurities such as nitrogen, hydrogen, and boron, raw black diamonds owe their black color to the inclusion of graphite.
Price
Due to their scarcity, natural black diamonds are considered to be rarer than the traditional colorless diamond. In terms of pricing, natural fancy carbonados can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 a carat, obviously contingent upon size and among other factors.
Grading Black Diamonds
The 4C’s (color, clarity, cut and, carat) are the standards to which colorless diamonds are graded, but because natural black diamonds are opaque in nature, they cannot be graded on this same GIA scale. Therefore, these dark gemstones are evaluated based on GIA’s color grading system for colored diamonds.

Since there’s little to no variation in saturation or tone of black diamond color, the term fancy black is used in carbonado grading. Moreover, the aforementioned term is used to distinguish whether or not the diamond is natural or lab-grown. For other diamond colors like pink for example, which can have varying opacities and hues, color is the most important grade when it comes to its value.
Natural carbonados are particularly difficult to cut and polish without chipping or breaking on the cutting wheel. This is due to the fact that they are polycrystalline, or aggregates of many individual diamond crystals. Because of this, they can take much longer to facet than colorless diamonds, and the finished gems are softer and more likely to take damage over time.
Lab Created and Treated Black Diamonds: Process & Price
Lab created black diamonds, and even natural diamonds that have undergone treatment, are considerably less expensive than those found naturally growing. Treated carbonados, which are usually naturally-mined colorless diamonds that have been treated to develop a black color, achieve their dark hue in one of two ways. The two processes are:
1. Exposure to high heat
2. Radiation using gamma rays in a nuclear reactor
Because many black diamonds are simply natural diamonds that have been treated to display a black color, they are easier to cut and shape versus their naturally grown counterparts. Lab grown carbonados are also significantly less expensive than their naturally found counterparts, going for as little as $200-$400 a carat.
Treated Black Diamonds: Process & Care
Just because a black diamond was found naturally growing, doesn’t mean their quality can’t be improved! Many carbonados that are sold for engagement rings or jewelry have been lab treated to enhance beauty and color. These diamonds begin as gray, heavily included and fractured, that is then subjected to a high-temperature/low-pressure treatment that graphitizes the fractures.
Care
As mentioned earlier, most black diamonds that are available for purchase on the market have been lab treated in one way or another, so it’s helpful as a consumer to know your gemstone’s origin story. This is especially true in regards to taking care of your diamond. The care and cleaning of carbonados is the same as for any delicate gemstone: do not use steam or ultrasonic cleaners, which could cause damage.
Note that a naturally grown black diamond, while praised for its hardness, is significantly softer than a colorless diamond. A black diamond’s nature is such that it may contain hundreds if not thousands of microscopic fractures, which make it more vulnerable to breakage from sharp blows than colorless diamonds. In any case: it’s a precious gemstone--be kind to it and handle with care.
What Determines The Price of a Black Diamond?
We don’t expect you to know the difference between natural and lab grown black diamonds. Therefore, it’s always better to ask a gemologist or trusted jeweler anytime you’re thinking of making a new purchase. Price can vary based on finish, quality, size, carat weight, and whether or not the diamond sustained any lab treatment. All of these previously mentioned factors will be reflected on the price tag of your black diamond.
The price difference between lab-grown black diamond jewelry and naturally grown black diamond jewelry is significant. Therefore, it’s very important for you to understand what you're paying for, and that you’re making a smart purchase.
Our Favorite Styles
Luminous Six Prong Solitaire Black Diamond Ring
starting at: $980
Elegance Three Baguette Black Diamond Ring
starting at: $1,800
Classic Four Prong Solitaire Black Diamond Ring
starting at:$500
Knife Edge Solitaire Black Diamond Ring
starting at:$600
Braided Solitaire Black Diamond Ring
starting at:$790
I’m interested in purchasing a Black Diamond Ring. Where do I start?
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