What does fancy black diamond mean?
A fancy black diamond is any rough or polished black diamond that has a saturated, deep black colour, also called a "fancy colour" or "fancy colour diamond". Black diamonds are rare and coveted for their unique beauty and durability, making them a popular choice for jewellery. There are two main types of fancy black diamonds:
- Natural black diamonds: These rare black diamonds occur naturally due to the presence of inclusions, such as graphite or magnetite particles, which absorb and scatter light, giving the diamond its black colour.
Natural black diamonds are among the most valuable and sought-after fancy colour diamonds.
- Treated black diamonds: Also called "enhanced" or "irradiated" black diamonds, these start out as naturally brown or grey rough diamonds, which undergo a high-temperature, high-pressure treatment process to achieve a stable black colour. This process is widely accepted and doesn't affect the diamond's durability.
Fancy black diamonds are often set in jewellery to create bold, elegant statements, and their value is determined by factors such as carat weight, clarity, cut, and overall quality.