Black Diamond Engagement Rings

Black Diamond History & Symbolism

• Black diamonds are real diamonds: the black color is caused by graphite inclusions or, more commonly, enhancement by a safe form of irradiation and heat.
• Unlike other diamond colors, black diamonds don't sparkle but they do have a highly reflective adamantine luster.
• Black diamond is an appropriate engagement ring choice for women who don't follow the crowd. Carrie Bradshaw receives a round brilliant black diamond engagement ring in Sex and the City 2. Carmen Electra also has a black diamond engagement ring.
• Carole Lombard received a princess-cut black diamond ring from Clark Gable.

Judging the Quality of Black Diamond Engagement Rings

• When you are shopping for black diamond engagement rings, you need to forget everything you learned about shopping for colorless diamonds. Black diamonds have an inky dark color that is essentially opaque. So the 4Cs don't really apply.
• Color should be even: black diamonds that owe their color to natural inclusions can have patchy color.
• Because their inner landscape is turbulent, it is not unusual for black diamonds to have minor surface inclusions and polishing lines.
• Black diamonds generally weigh a bit more than colorless diamonds: a one-carat black diamond will be smaller than a one-carat colorless diamond.
• Gemvara offers enhanced black diamonds because they have better color and fewer inclusions, making them as durable as colorless diamonds.

Learn More

• Learn more about black diamond in our Gem Library.
• Read the Black Diamond FAQs on our blog.