Are Black And White Diamonds The Same Price?
Diamonds are the most precious and sought-after when it comes to precious stones. Not only are they valuable, but they’re also incredible. Some people even say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. But what is so fascinating about diamonds?
Various factors ranging from color, purity, size, and shape determine diamond value and price. You can use a diamond value chart to determine the approximate cost to know how much your diamond might be worth.
The price of white and black diamonds is also affected by the type of diamond.
Types of diamonds
Diamonds come in many different shapes, colors, and sizes, but there are only three types:
• round brilliant-cut (also called princess cut),
• pear-shaped (also called marquise), and
• oval cut (also called emerald)
Each of the diamond types has its qualities that make them unique.
Round brilliant-cut diamonds are the most popular because they sparkle more than any other type. However, they’re also the most expensive because they are rarer and more challenging to create than different shapes.
Choosing a Diamond
When choosing a diamond, there are four main factors for consideration: cut, clarity, color, and carat weight.
• Cut
Cut refers to the facet proportions of a diamond. Cut quality affects how the diamond reflects light. Better cut diamonds appear brighter, fiercer, and sparkle than poorly cut diamonds.
• Clarity
Diamond clarity refers to the presence of impurities or inclusions inside the diamond and surface blemishes on the diamond. Inclusions are tiny imperfections that occur within a diamond during its formation. Surface blemishes are minor nicks or scratches on the surface of a diamond. A flawless or internally flawless clarity grade means no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification. The clarity grade significantly affects the value of a polished diamond.
• Weight
The weight of a diamond is measured in Carats. A carat is a weight unit equivalent to 200 milligrams (0.2 grams). While carat weight does affect price, it’s important to note that one-carat stone can cost much more than another, depending on its color and clarity grades.
• Color
Color refers to the presence of impurities or structural defects in white diamonds. Colorless is the highest grade for white diamonds, and colored diamonds come in many colors, such as pink, yellow, brown, black, and blue, which is the rarest.
Black and White Diamonds
First, you must understand how black and white diamonds form to answer this question.
Diamond formation happens hundreds of miles below the Earth’s surface under extreme heat and pressure. They form from crystallized carbon rising to the surface due to shifting tectonic plates.
Most natural diamonds come from the Earth’s mantle and are delivered to the surface by volcanic eruptions. Some diamonds found at or near the surface have been brought up by kimberlite pipes — columns of solidified magma — while others were delivered by water erosion. Kimberlite pipes can bring diamonds to the surface in one violent eruption or through more gradual geological uplift over millions of years.
White diamonds are the most common form of diamonds. They occur when there are no impurities or structural defects that would cause the crystal to absorb all light, therefore appearing white.
Natural black diamonds are typically formed when there is a concentration of hydrogen or carbon-rich inclusions within the stone that absorb all but one ray of light.
The inclusions are trapped inside the carbon crystal, allowing the diamond to absorb all light, therefore appearing black.
Diamonds can also be formed in a laboratory. Lab diamonds are made when carbon atoms are put under similar conditions in a high-pressure, high-temperature press. The carbon atoms crystallize into pure diamond crystals. Since naturally occurring black diamonds are rare, they’re the most created in the labs to meet the demand for them, which brings the question:
Are Black And White Diamonds The Same Price?
Naturally occurring black diamonds are not cheaper than white diamonds. They are more expensive due to their rarity. However, because they are rare, most black diamonds in the market today aren’t natural but lab-manufactured. Black lab diamonds are cheaper than natural white diamonds.
