Black Diamonds
The term Black Diamond is actually a misnomer, as black diamonds appear black as a result of numerous dark inclusions that give the gems their dark appearance. Also known as Carbonado, the black diamond is mined in Brazil and parts of Africa, and is actually the most porous of all diamonds, due to its many inclusions.
There certainly are some exceptional black diamonds out there that make stunning engagement rings but there are infinitely more poorer examples on the market. Black diamonds tend to be heavily included brown diamonds that are treated with heat and pressure to turn them completely black and opaque. The multitude of inclusions make them more unstable and far more prone to fracturing than their transparent counterparts.
Black diamonds are very difficult for diamond cutters to facet so they tend to be cut with less precision and poorer polish than other coloured diamonds. The fragile nature of larger black diamonds makes them too brittle for everyday wear, however, small black diamonds are a great option for accent stones. The smaller ones are more stable and can be easily replaced for minimal cost if damage does occur.
At Larsen Jewellery, we don’t supply black diamonds larger than 3mm round. We take our quality standards very seriously and our experience has taught us that black diamonds larger than this tend to be troublesome and ultimately disappointing. There are two fantastic alternatives to black diamonds that are far better suited to everyday wear. The two options we always recommend are black sapphires and black spinels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? We’re happy to answer them!
WHAT TYPES OF JEWELLERY CAN BE MADE IN FAIRTRADE GOLD?
The Fairtrade option is limited to wedding rings only. At this stage, we are not licenced by Fairtrade to make other types of jewellery, such as engagement rings, in Fairtrade gold, but this may change down the track.
WHICH METAL OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
Your wedding rings can be made in 18ct White, Yellow or Rose Gold.
WHAT WEDDING RING DESIGNS CAN BE MADE IN FAIRTRADE GOLD?
In order to use Fairtrade metal, we need to handmake your wedding ring. This is possible for most plain wedding band designs. You are also able to do the Wedding Ring Experience with Fairtrade metal. For more elaborate designs, however, a better result is often achieved using other production methods where we can’t use Fairtrade metals. Examples of designs that cannot be made with Fairtrade gold include some 2-tone designs, rings with diamonds set all the way around, rings that need to be shaped to an engagement ring, Mokume designs, and rings with certain patterns.
During your design appointment, we can advise you whether your design can be made with Fairtrade gold.
HOW ARE FAIRTRADE WEDDING RINGS PRICED?
Our Fairtrade wedding rings incur a 10% premium, which is applied to our normal wedding ring prices (before extra costs are added for various design options such as diamonds and engraving). This premium only covers the higher cost of the Fairtrade metal.
IS THE ACTUAL FAIRTRADE GOLD DIFFERENT FROM OUR NORMAL GOLD?
The physical gold sourced from a Fairtrade mine is no different from the gold that we normally use, so there is no difference from a quality point of view.
Our normal gold is predominantly sourced from recycled sources and the small amount of non-recycled stock gauge gold comes from a mine in New Zealand. Our normal gold is therefore very environmentally friendly, but buying Fairtrade gold allows you to contribute in a more proactive way to the make the world a better place by supporting poor mining communities around the world.
