There is a lot of confusion about carbonados and black diamonds. Most people debate that black diamonds are actually carbonados yet others do not have proper information. But, before we delve into the discussion let’s get a couple of things out of our way, firstly naturally black diamonds are real diamonds (real diamonds certified GIA certified) that when mined from the earth’s mantle are dark grey, deep charcoal or dark green in color. Natural black diamonds very rare and expensive comprising less than one percent of the black diamonds commercially available, rest all the black diamonds are treated or man-made. We are comparing treated black diamonds and carbonadoes.

To understand the difference between carbonados and black diamonds we need to explore their origin, crystal structure and diamond composition. Black diamond’s like all real diamonds are a combination of carbon and impurities that grow in a cubic or isometric crystal structure. Most black diamonds used in jewelry are real diamonds that could do not qualify as colorless diamonds because of the several inclusions, these diamonds were heat treated or irradiated *to achieve a jet black color. The treatment turns a dull looking diamond into a stunning black beauty. The inclusion can often cause the chipping or breaking of the diamond during cutting or polishing. Carbonados on the other hand are polycrystalline that is a group of multiple crystals sticking together to make one stone. The composition is chiefly carbon, graphite, pyrite or hematite and many micro diamonds. These have the hardness of the diamonds but are more durable and sturdy, thus are used for cutting diamonds and other industrial purposes.

Black diamonds are typically opaque or partly translucent with high luster and metallic sheen. The diamonds are heavily included with multiple clouds, pits, feathers and fractures that span across the stone. The feathers and factures when exposed to extreme heat turn black due to graphitization. Carbonados are very porous and look like charcoal with several pits on the surface.

Black diamonds are mined from the earth however carbonados are found in river beds, sedimentary deposits. Brazil and the Central African Republic are the only sources of carbonados. Carbonados are sometimes believed to be extraterrestrial or being formed out of a super-nova explosion as they do not have any traces of minerals like nitrogen or hydrogen that is found under the earth rather have minerals found in meteors.