9 Fun Facts About Black Diamonds
November 20, 2009 by Star Stevenson
Filed under Jewelry & Accessories
During the holiday season, you may be tempted to give someone or get yourself diamond jewelry. While know all about the lovely and classic white diamonds there is also another diamond that is equally intriguing and just as glamorous – black diamonds. Black diamonds are quickly becoming a mainstream gemstone.
Image: Zales
Here are some little known facts about black diamonds.
1. Black diamonds are also called Carbonado. A name coined by Portuguese because of the diamonds resemblance to porous charcoal.
2. They are found in the Central Afric and Brazil, with Brazil being the major source.
3. The natural colour of a black diamond ranges from black to dark greys.
4. Black diamonds are the rarest among all diamonds.
5. Black diamonds originated on earth 3.5 billion years ago – that’s a mighty long time!
6. Translucent or semi-transparent black diamonds are very rare and naturally they command a very high price.
7. In ancient Italy, black diamonds were thought to represent reconciliation. They believed by touching a black diamond misunderstandings and quarrels can be patched up. However, in India they believe black diamonds were the sign of bad luck, even death!
8. Famous black diamonds include; the Pear Shaped Amsterdam Diamond weighing in at 55.85 carats. Then there’s the unpolished and rugged Black Diamond of Bahia which is 350 carats. But the most famous of them all is the Black Star of Africa which is the largest coloured diamond in the world weighing in at 202 carats and valued at 1.2 million US dollars. Whew!
9. Unlike the traditional diamonds, black diamonds are made up of carbon atoms and small amounts of hydrogen. This has led some people to believe black diamonds were formed in intersteller space! They theorize that there was an steller supernova explosion and an asteroid crashed into earth about 2.8 million years ago.
Now that you know all the fact, perhaps you’ll add a pair of black diamond earrings, like the 1 cttw studs pictured above, to your wish list this year? 
