You’ve seen them online and in the jewelry stores, those jet black faceted stones with a mirror like reflection.  Some can be mistaken for Hematite but they’re not.   They’re black diamonds ,or carbonado, which is their technical name.   Personally, I have never really been a fan of the black gems, but I will say when used properly they can be very dramatic.  The interesting thing about black diamonds is they are not generally found where white diamonds are found.  This leads to the latest theory that black diamonds originate from space.  Meteors that crashed to the earth some 4.5 billion years ago are what likely brought the black diamonds to our earth, but I might add that no one knows for sure.  They are thought to have originated from dying exploding stars.  Our sun’s gravity lured them into our solar system and then to our planet where they slammed into the earth. 

Another interesting theory is that the planets Uranus and Neptune actually rain diamonds.  But before you diamond lovers dream of going to these planets to rake in the goods, be aware the temperatures are thought to range anywhere from 3,000 to 12,000 F, possible ideal conditions to produce diamonds.  So if you are wearing a black diamond, take a good look at it.  It may be 4 billion years old.

Black diamonds are usually used as accents.  In this fine example,  Morganite is surrounded by Black Diamonds.  The setting is beautiful pink gold.  Click pic to view.