Over the years, the demand for black diamonds has soared. This could be because of the new trend or desire for unconventional rings and jewelry.
And because of the increase in demand, the popularity of this colored diamond has also increased. So everyone has one question about it: what is the worth of a black diamond?
If you have any of these colored gems, knowing how to accurately place a value on it is important. So, I am going to explain how to do it in this article.
The True Worth of a Black Diamond
Black diamonds are not a rarity like red or blue diamonds. They are almost as numerous as their colorless counterparts. However, they have remained mysterious to some extent, both to collectors and dealers.
Due to the fact you are likely not familiar with a black diamond, it is understandable to want to know if it has any worth.
The true value or worth of a black diamond rests on how much in demand it is. And as I have already pointed that the demand for it has skyrocketed recently, you could say it has some value.
However, there is a catch. There are natural black diamonds – yes, some of them occur in that color naturally. And there are treated ones, lab-enhanced to give them the back color. Needless to say, this affects value.
So, how expensive are black diamonds? Not so much, compared to colorless or rare fancy color diamonds.
Below is a chart showing how much a black diamond is worth, both natural and treated. This is compared to what you will get for a colorless diamond.
.50 Carat |
1 Carat |
2 Carat |
3 Carat |
|||||
| Price per Carat | Price per Dia. | Price per Carat | Price per Dia. | Price per Carat | Price per Dia. | Price per Carat | Price per Dia. | |
| Real Black Diamond | $2000 | $1000 | $3000 | $3000 | $3000 | $6000 | $3000 | $9000 |
| Lab-treated Black Diamond | $200 | $100 | $300 | $300 | $400 | $800 | $500 | $1500 |
| Colorless Diamond | $2500 | $1250 | $5000 | $5000 | $9500 | $19500 | $12000 | $36000 |
This chart is just an approximation as the price can change with the demand and the market. So it should not be used as an authority at all times. But it gives you an idea of what each category of diamonds goes for.
You see, placed side by side with a colorless diamond, a carat of a natural or real black diamond can cost almost half of that of a colorless diamond.
Lab-treated ones are not worth much. You can get one for as low as $100, depending on where you buy from, other stones set beside them, and the design or cut.
And the per-carat price of a black diamond does not change much as the carats increase. The same cannot be said for a colorless.
This is why you find a 3-carat colorless diamond costing about four times what a black diamond of the same carat weight costs.
This video explains how much a carat of black diamond is worth…
Factors that Affect the Value
Color
It is important I point out here that the color of the diamond affects its value. It is true that you will find a black diamond – natural or treated – anywhere. This is pretty much like the colorless ones.
But where the colorless sparkles, the black does not. It is totally opaque and does not have color grading. There is only that one color – black.
Since everyone is familiar with diamonds being colorless, less number of people want black. You can also chalk it up to the fact that it has no brilliance.
So despite the fact that it is becoming increasingly popular with the current fashion trends and taste, it still has a long way to go in catching up with the colorless one.
There is also the fact that most of the black diamonds you see around are treated. They are usually colorless diamonds with too many flaws or inclusions.
With heat or irradiation, the color is added to them. In fact, many seemingly black diamonds are deep green that looks like black to the naked eye.
While you cannot tell a treated one from a real one except you have the expert eye, the value still drops. This is why black diamonds are fairly common; the natural black ones are somewhat rare but the treated ones are everywhere.
Cut
Cutting a black diamond is tricky and risky. This is because of the heavy graphite inclusions in it.
Graphite is what makes it black. But it is also the reason why the diamond is more likely to pit than a colorless one.
In other words, the diamond could become damaged during cutting, polishing, or even setting. And the damage reduces its value if there is any part left after the damage.
Shape
Popular black diamond shapes are round, pear, princess, and oval. You will discover these shapes affect the size and luster of the diamond.
As I have stated earlier, there is too much risk of damage involved in cutting a black diamond. So, this rules out fancy shapes.
Jewelers employ lasers in cutting this gemstone nowadays. And the shapes are quite popular and in demand. So you may find that the shape of the black diamond slightly improves its value.
Size
This also means the carat weight of the diamond. Of course, you know that the bigger the carat or size, the more value it has. However, the difference in per-carat price is not as notable as that which you will find in colorless diamonds.
Origin of Black Diamonds
Black diamonds are from outer space. I know this sounds preposterous but allow me to explain.
Back in 2006, scientists claimed that hydrogen is found in black diamonds. And this element is needed for any object to be termed extraterrestrial.
Your everyday diamonds are pushed to the surface of the earth by volcanic rocks that are explosive. They are usually found about 100km or more inside the ground. But when these rocks react, they are transported up.
This same process that brings the gemstones to the surface is responsible for preserving their crystal structure. This makes them the hardest objects in the natural world.
The process is the same anywhere diamonds are found. The same is true for geological settings. However, none is compatible with how black diamonds are formed.
In other words, they are formed in space, enter the earth through explosions, break into tiny pieces, and are scattered on the earth’s surface. Then, they are found during mining expeditions.
Maybe this explains why black diamonds are only available in very few mines around the world.
Know the Type of Black Diamond You Have
The type of black diamond you are valuing will determine its worth. There are 3 different types:
- Natural
- Treated
- Lab-grown
A natural diamond is made of amorphous carbon or graphite. Its color comes from the billions of inclusions or graphite clusters. The number of inclusions simply changes the color to black.
So, as boron causes a diamond to be blue, inclusions or graphite clusters cause a diamond to be black.
A treated diamond is an ordinary colorless diamond that has too many inclusions that make the value too low.
Instead of simply casting it aside, it is treated with heat or irradiation to make it industry-grade.
Because of its worthlessness as colored diamonds, its value does not exactly increase with the color change. Therefore, it is the least expensive or valuable type of black diamond.
A lab-grown diamond is not truly a diamond, at least not like the first two on my list. Scientists grow it in a lab. And because it involves so much effort, expense and research, it is not as cheap as the treated black diamond.
Interesting Black Diamond Facts
Here are a few facts about black diamonds that are interesting to note:
A black diamond is not considered a colored diamond
Why, you ask. It is because its composition is the same as a colorless diamond. While true fancy color diamonds are formed by exposure to minerals, a black diamond gets its color from too many inclusions.
It can pass for a colorless diamond except that the inclusions are much more than those in a colorless diamond.
A natural black diamond does not shine
If you find one that shows one or two sparkles, it is most likely a treated one or even a lab-grown diamond.
The inclusions in a real black diamond make it unable to reflect light. Instead, it absorbs it. A black diamond looks more like a piece of marble than anything else.
A black diamond has not always been precious
In its raw, uncut state, fresh from the mines, a black diamond looks like charcoal. This is why it has the name carbonado or carbonized. Plus, the difficulty in cutting and polishing it further reduced its value.
It was initially used for industry purposes before jewelers began to recognize its value.
A black diamond’s origin is still under debate.
Many people still don’t agree that black diamonds are not formed like other diamonds but are formed in space. But what lends credence to the space origin is where the diamonds are found.
Unlike others that are found below the earth’s surface, black diamonds are found in stream beds.
Conclusion
How much a black diamond is worth is pretty stable – about $3000 per carat. But this applies to natural black diamonds.
Treated ones can go for as low as $300. However, some variables or factors still count in determining its value:
- Type
- Cut
- Shape
- Size
If it is used in a ring, the style of the setting also affects whether or not it has any value.
Got more questions? Ask them in the comments section.
