The Allure, Grading, and Care of Stunning 0.37 Carat Black Diamond Engagement Rings

The Allure of Black Diamonds

Black diamonds, also known as carbonado diamonds, have recently grown in popularity for use in fine jewelry. Often referred to as the "black pearl of the jewelry world," these mystical dark gems have a strikingly beautiful jet black color that contrasts elegantly against precious metals like white or rose gold.

What are Black Diamonds?

Black diamonds are true diamonds, with the same chemical composition and structure as regular colorless or tinted diamonds. They form through natural geological processes deep within the Earth's crust, where trace elements and extreme conditions give them an exotic black color.

The jet black color comes from microscopic black inclusions scattered throughout the diamond's crystal structure. These inclusions absorb and trap light, creating the saturated near-black tones.

Grading Black Diamond Color

Since their defining characteristic is the rich black color, black diamonds are graded on the intensity and saturation of black they display. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades black diamonds on a scale ranging from light black to fancy black:

• Fancy Black - Pure black with no gray undertones
• Fancy Dark - Very dark black, near fancy black
• Fancy Blackish - More medium black tones
• Fancy Deep - Deeper black but slightly lighter than fancy dark
• Fancy Black Brown/Fancy Black Grey - Near black with brown/grey secondary undertones

The deepest, most saturated black diamonds with no distracting secondary tones receive the top fancy black grade. These exceptionally pure black specimens are rare and valued accordingly.

Black Diamond Engagement Rings

With their mystical allure, rarity, and variety of cuts and settings, black diamonds make for incredibly unique engagement rings. A 0.37 carat black diamond would make a beautiful, out-of-the-ordinary centerpiece for an engagement or anniversary ring.

Choosing a Setting

Popular settings that highlight and contrast against black diamonds' dark brilliance include:

• White gold or platinum prong settings
• Rose gold infinity twist engagement rings
• Pavé bands with small white diamonds
• Halo settings surrounded by clear stones

Clean metallic settings without too many embellishments best complement black diamonds, allowing their exotic color to take center stage.

Black Diamond Cuts

Like other diamonds, black diamonds come in a range of cuts that exhibit their light-absorbing color in different ways:

• Cushion - Elegant squared shape with rounded corners
• Oval - Unique elongated shape like a narrow ellipse
• Pear - Combination of round and marquise, tapered on one end
• Marquise - Eye-catching elongated cut with pointed ends

The most popular cuts for black diamonds are cushion, oval, and pear due to the dynamic interplay of light and dark contrast they create. The 0.37 carat weight would translate to about a 5x7mm cushion or 6x8mm oval black diamond.

Caring for Black Diamond Jewelry

While extremely durable, black diamonds require some special care due to their porous, inclusion-rich structure:

• Avoid exposing to acid, bleach, or other corrosive chemicals
• Protect from scratches and sharp blows that could cause fractures
• Clean with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush when dirty
• Consider insuring valuable black diamond jewelry

Storing black diamond rings, earrings, and pendants separately can prevent scratches and chips. When cared for properly, black diamond jewelry can last a lifetime as an incredible family heirloom.

Authenticity Certification

Reputable black diamond suppliers provide authenticity guarantees and documentation like GIA or AGS grading reports. For extra validation, specialized testing like Raman spectroscopy can verify if a black gem is a genuine diamond versus another black gemstone.

Authentication protects against overcharging and confirms any premium fancy black color grading. Appraisals every few years help establish current market valuations for insurance purposes.

A 0.37 carat fancy black diamond engagement ring makes a phenomenal, one-of-a-kind statement. With proper care and authentication, black diamond jewelry accrues value and becomes a precious heirloom to cherish for generations.

FAQs

What causes the black color in black diamonds?

The rich black color of black diamonds comes from many tiny black crystal inclusions scattered throughout the stone. These black specks absorb and trap light rays, giving the diamond an overall black appearance.

Are black diamonds expensive?

Due to their exotic color and rarity, high quality Fancy Black diamonds are more expensive than regular colorless diamonds. But smaller, lighter black diamonds can also fit many budgets for engagement rings or pendants.

How should I clean my black diamond jewelry?

Use warm water, a mild soap, and a soft brush to gently scrub dirt from black diamond jewelry metal and crevices. Avoid harsh chemicals and ultrasonic or steam cleaners which can damage black diamonds more easily.

How durable are black diamonds?

Despite inclusions, black diamonds retain excellent hardness and durability for daily wear. But their porous structure also makes them more prone to chipping or fracturing from sharp blows. Handle black diamond jewelry with some extra care.