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
Black Diamond Value and Worth
How Much Is a Black Diamond Worth
Everyone who has ever considered engagement rings is clearly aware of both natural and lab-created white diamonds. However, those looking for a novel gem experience may wish to consider less obvious options to the traditional white diamond solitaire engagement ring. If you are looking for a forever token of your affection while making a unique statement, you may wish to consider a black diamond.
Black Diamond Color and Inclusions
Natural black diamonds differ from other diamonds in that they are completely opaque. These gemstones are not transparent in nature and owe their intense color to the inclusion of graphite and random clustering that occurs throughout the body of the diamond. Although natural carbonado can be reasonably affordable, those looking for affordable black diamonds will find that treated black diamonds are a much more affordable option.
Black Diamond Origin
Rare, naturally occurring, black diamonds are found in places like Central Africa and Brazil. Much rarer than white diamonds, natural carbonados are highly valued for their unique beauty and intense color.
The Relationship Between Color and Value
Many of the black diamonds jewelry buyers encounter aren’t natural. Natural carbonados obtain their color from multiple inclusions that are spread throughout the stone. Moreover, it is rare to find diamonds with the optimal number of inclusions required to make the stone black. Therefore, many of the black diamonds you are likely to encounter are altered.
Many of the dark gems that you encounter will be a naturally white diamond that has been altered through irradiation or heat treatments. You will generally find that the less expensive black diamonds in the market are actually heavily included white diamonds. Moreover, those white diamonds are treated to turn into a dark green that appears black.
Other Variables That Impact Cost
As you may know, white diamonds, rely upon the four C’s: carat, cut, color, and clarity to determine their value. Carbonado value on the other hand, depends more upon the carat, cut, shape, and ring style.
Clarity, which is a consideration in white diamonds, plays a minor role in the value of these dark gems due to the nature of the stone. Because of the opaque nature of carbonados, GIA’s Diamond Grading System is different for these colored diamonds. Likewise, as carbonado is usually uniform in color, color isn’t considered a crucial aspect of determining the value of black diamonds compared to carat weight, cut, shape, and ring style.
Carat Weight or Size:
All gemstones vary in price according to the size, or carat weight, of the stone. Just like natural white diamonds, both natural and treated carbonados increase in value as they increase in weight/size. Often you will find that what appears to be a small increase in carat weight, has a large impact on the cost of your diamond jewelry.
Cut:
Natural black diamonds are more difficult to cut, polish, and set than other natural diamonds. This is due to the inclusions that provide the color to the gemstone. These inclusions, often of graphite, also increase the likelihood that a natural carbonado will pit when polished. These natural inconsistencies in the body of the stone likewise increase the possibility of the stone becoming damaged in the setting process.
Shape:
You will find the size, shape, and luster of a black diamond greatly determines the value of the stone. Therefore, it is important to assure that you value the shape of your black diamond. Black diamonds nowadays are cut with lasers. With that said, any shape is feasible. The most popular shapes for carbonados are: round, oval, princess, and pear.
Ring Style:
You may expect the ring style to have a significant impact on the cost of your black diamond ring. As the value of black diamonds increases significantly with size, you may expect any constellation of stones to be expensive when a large carbonado serves as the center.
That said, a 3 carat solitaire will be more reasonably priced than a 3 carat three stone, or halo set black diamond. Though stunning to behold, a halo set black diamond surrounded by smaller white diamonds can be an expensive ring choice. However, if the halo impact allows you to choose a smaller center stone, it may be a wise-cost choice. A reasonable and visually engaging mid-ground is to choose a three-stone ring with a carbonado stone set between two white diamonds.
Contact our gemologists for further questions
What Makes Black Diamonds Inexpensive
Lab-grown:
Less expensive diamonds can be altered to mimic natural black diamonds. A process of exposure to extreme heat can turn these lesser quality diamonds to a dark green or black color. You will find these heat-treated diamonds to be considerably less expensive than untreated natural carbonados. Especially, if these white diamonds were lab-grown because lab-grown diamonds are cheaper since they are not mined from the environment.
Chemical Makeup:
Carbonados are the same as white diamonds with the exception of the fact that these dark gems have graphite inclusions. It is these inclusions that account for the color of natural black diamonds. The inclusions that provide natural black diamonds with their striking color also make them difficult to cut, polish, and set, however. It is this delicate nature of natural black diamonds that make them a more reasonable cost alternative to their less colorful counterparts.
