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Black diamonds are not a single, uniform type of diamond. Some of them are natural “Fancy Black” diamonds, whose dark color is caused by abundant inclusions or other structural features, while carbonado is a rare, porous, polycrystalline form of diamond. It is precisely the origin of carbonado that is the subject of a cosmic hypothesis, though it has not yet been conclusively proven.
The short answer is—perhaps some carbonado did, but science has not yet confirmed this. Key facts to know:
It is precisely this mystery that is one of the reasons why carbonado is so intriguing to geologists and jewelry enthusiasts.
In everyday language, the term “black diamond” can refer to several quite different stones. This is important because their color origin, structure, and valuation can vary significantly.
This is a natural diamond whose very dark appearance is often caused by a high concentration of:
Such diamonds can range from transparent to nearly completely opaque.
The black color of some diamonds is achieved or enhanced through treatment. For example, this may involve heating, which causes dark graphite to form in existing microcracks. Therefore, color alone is not sufficient to conclude that a black diamond is necessarily naturally black.
This is a naturally occurring polycrystalline diamond material composed of numerous very small diamond crystals oriented in different directions. It is often:
| Properties | Natural Fancy Black Diamond | Carbonado |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Usually a single diamond crystal | Numerous mature microcrystals |
| Appearance | Black or very dark | Often black, gray, or brown |
| Cause of Color | Inclusions, radiation traces, or structural defects | Entirely polycrystalline, opaque structure |
| Porosity | Not necessarily | Very characteristic |
| Locations | Various | Best documented in Brazil and the Central African Republic |
| Hypothesis of Cosmic Origin | Usually not applicable | Yes, one of the proposed theories |
| Use in Jewelry | Common | Considerably rarer |
Conventional gem-quality diamonds are usually single crystals. Carbonado more closely resembles a tightly bound mass of microscopic diamond crystals. Its structure features:
It is precisely this structure that gives carbonado not only its unusual appearance but also its very high mechanical strength. Historically, carbonado was even valued as an industrial material for cutting and drilling long before black diamonds became a fashionable accent in jewelry.
One of the strangest facts about carbonado is its very limited geographical distribution. Well-documented carbonado finds are associated with:
Today, these territories lie on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean. However, in ancient times, their geological regions were connected within the same supercontinents. This does not in itself prove the origin of carbonado, but it provides scientists with important clues as they try to understand how this unusual form of diamond might have come into existence.
Some studies suggest age ranges of approximately 2.6 to 3.8 billion years. However, dating carbonado is not as straightforward as dating ordinary diamonds, as it lacks some of the typical mineral inclusions that are often used to trace a diamond’s geological history. Therefore, the exact time of their formation, as well as their origin, remains a subject of scientific debate.
Carbonado differs significantly from ordinary diamonds formed in the mantle. Researchers are puzzled by:
These differences have led to the theory that carbonado may have formed not in the Earth’s depths, but in an extraterrestrial environment.
One of the most compelling theories suggests that carbonado may have originated in a carbon-rich cosmic environment. According to this hypothesis, the diamond-bearing material could have formed:
Later, such diamond-like material could have reached Earth along with meteorite or asteroid material during a very early period in the planet’s history.
Over the years, other models have been proposed.
Some hypotheses link carbonado to processes of high pressure, high temperature, and geological restructuring that occurred on Earth.
According to other models, carbon-rich material could have been carried to great depths during the movement of tectonic plates and transformed there.
Another theory links carbonado to the immense pressure generated when an asteroid or meteorite struck Earth. This is an important distinction—the meteorite impact theory does not imply that the diamond itself came from space. According to this theory, the diamond would have formed on Earth as a result of the impact of a celestial body.
A theory has also been proposed that diamond-like material could have formed through radioactive processes involving uranium and thorium.
In recent years, models have also been proposed suggesting that the precursor to carbonado could have been a carbon-rich material in the Earth’s mantle, which later entered a subduction zone and was transformed under high pressure.
One of the most famous contemporary examples is “The Enigma,” weighing 555.55 ct. This faceted black diamond was presented by auction houses as a carbonado-type stone. Its size once again demonstrated just how extraordinary diamonds in this category can be.
“Spirit of de Grisogono” is a stunning 312.24 ct black diamond. It is one of the most famous large faceted black diamonds and has long been counted among the very largest gemstones of this type.
The heart-shaped 115.34 ct “Gruosi” diamond was cut from a much larger rough stone. It has become one of the most recognizable black diamonds due to its size and unusual heart shape.
Over time, black diamonds have come to be associated with various symbolic meanings:
Various stories also include mystical tales about their ability to “absorb negative energy” or protect relationships.
We don’t know. A cosmic origin is one of the hypotheses regarding the formation of carbonado, but it has not yet been definitively confirmed. There are also several models based on processes that took place on Earth.
No. Natural Fancy Black diamonds and carbonado are different diamond materials. In addition, there are also treated black diamonds on the market.
A natural black appearance can result from abundant inclusions of graphite or other minerals, structural defects, and, in some cases, radiation-affected zones. Some diamonds are also given their black color through treatment.
Reliably documented occurrences of carbonado are primarily associated with Brazil and the Central African Republic.
Yes. It can be an exceptional choice for someone who appreciates striking and unconventional jewelry. It’s important to know the stone’s origin, the nature of its color, and to choose the right setting.
Its unusual structure, a history spanning billions of years, extremely limited sources, and competing theories of origin make carbonado one of the most mysterious forms of diamond. In jewelry, a black diamond lends a completely different character—dark, contrasting, and far removed from the classic image of a colorless brilliant-cut diamond.
If you’re looking for exactly this kind of accent, check out Auksinė Svajonė's rings with gemstones.
