Black diamonds are among the rarest and most beautiful of diamonds. But what makes them so special?
Black diamonds are made from a combination of two elements: carbon and graphite. This combination of elements makes them extremely hard. As a result, black diamonds are considered valuable.
Carbon
The black diamond is unique in its makeup and is found only in a few locations in the world. The diamonds were formed over 3.5 billion years ago, when the extreme heat and pressure converted carbon atoms into crystals. These crystals were then pushed to the surface and are very dense. According to the Mohs scale, the diamond has a hardness of ten.
The black diamond’s unusual atom mix causes it to be very difficult to cut and polish. Diamond cutters are required to work very hard to create a uni-directional black stone, which can be time-consuming and frustrating. The process, however, makes for a unique and beautiful stone.
Graphite
Graphite is made up of sheets of carbon atoms, which are bonded with three other carbon atoms. Each atom is joined to three other carbon atoms by a bond angle of 120 degrees. This makes graphite incredibly soft, and it rubs off easily. Despite its softness, it is extremely strong.
The chemical composition of diamonds is the same as that of white diamonds, but black diamonds are unique due to the presence of graphite. The black colour is caused by heat treatment, which creates clusters of graphite.
Hardness
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The black diamond’s hardness is a remarkable characteristic that sets it apart from other stones. Its hardness is measured by the Mohs hardness scale, which ranges from 1 to 10. Generally, diamonds are harder than steel, and a hammer smashed into one would result in many pieces. Hardness is a measure of the resistance of a mineral to being broken, and the Black Diamond has the highest hardness of any natural stone.
Hardness is determined by the strength of bonds between atoms in minerals. A stronger bond means that it will be harder to break, while a weaker bond means that it will be easier to break.
Sparkle
The sparkle that sets black diamond loose stones apart is due to its unique chemical makeup. The inclusions within a diamond make it appear black, but they aren’t actually a source of light. Instead, they absorb light and give off a metallic shine. Black diamonds are a rare type of diamond. Only a few locations in the world contain these rare gems. They were first discovered in Brazil and Central Africa. Some believe that they’re remnants of an asteroid that was rich in hydrogen.
Inclusions
Natural black diamonds are created with lots of inclusions, which give them their colour. The inclusions are composed of small particles of graphite that give the diamond a metallic appearance. These diamonds are very rare and are more expensive than artificially treated ones. They are a popular alternative to conventional colourless diamonds.
