Have you ever seen a black diamond engagement ring? These unusual gems have a certain charm that’s different from traditional clear diamonds. Black diamonds have become more popular in recent years, especially in engagement rings. What say we explore the world of black diamonds and learn about their history, their place in fashion, and how they’re used in jewelry, shall we?
The History of Black Diamonds
Black diamonds, also known as Carbonado, are one of the toughest forms of natural diamond. It is an impure, high-density, micro-porous form of polycrystalline diamond consisting of diamond, graphite, and amorphous carbon, with minor crystalline precipitates filling pores and occasional reduced metal inclusions.
In ancient India, black diamonds were thought to be cursed, and people actually believed they looked like the eyes of snakes or spiders. Because of these superstitions, most black diamonds were used for industrial purposes instead of jewelry. The largest known black diamond is called the “Black Orlov”, also called the Eye of Brahman, weighing in at 67.5 carats. Legend says it was once part of a statue in India but was stolen. As a result, the diamond supposedly brought bad luck to its owners until it was cut into three smaller stones. And when we say bad luck we mean many of them committed suicide.
In the 1800s, miners found large deposits of black diamonds in Brazil. These diamonds were so tough that they were mainly used to make drill bits and other tools. However, it wasn’t until the late 20th century that people started to appreciate black diamonds not only for their ability to cut through concrete, but for their beauty as well.