World Famous Black Diamonds

I am still curious about the appeal of a black diamond engagement ring. I, too, love the more unconventional looks available these days, but these black gems are just so different. Frank has become obsessed with the idea of having a Space diamond, and I am beginning to think he believes you could use them ‘to beam me up’ or as a cosmic light-sabre. Personally, I am simply curious about their exotic look and the style they bring to a black engagement ring. Black diamonds have a distinctive look that is unlike other gems used on traditional or even alternative rings. Black diamond engagement rings have an allure and mystery which have been elevated to a celebrity status that they have earned over time. I decided to investigate some of the more notable black diamonds that have made the headlines over the years.

The Spirit of de Grisogono

At any size or shape, black diamonds are found once in a blue moon, and The Spirit of de Grisogono is the world’s largest cut black diamond. The diamond was originally found in West Central Africa at an astonishing weight of 587 carats before being exported to Switzerland and taken to the Swiss jeweller de Grisogono, owned by the renowned ‘Father of the Black Diamond’, Fawaz Gruoni. It took Gruoni 3 years to cut the diamond down to a weight of 312.24 carats. The black diamond is now set into a ring containing 702 smaller white diamonds on a large mount of white gold which has inspired many black diamond engagement ring designs today.

The Amsterdam Black Diamond

Some coloured diamonds are known for their carats, others for their iconic shaped cut, but the Amsterdam Diamond is known for its intrinsic high quality. The Amsterdam Black Diamond was found in 1972 by D. Drukker and Sons Jeweller Company, based in Amsterdam, at a mine in Africa. The stone’s unusually pure black colour is caused by the presence of small graphite particles within the lattice. The diffusions within the feathers are similar to the mechanisms observed in storm clouds. The gem is officially classified as fancy black, natural by the Gemmological Institute of America, and is regarded as one of the highest quality diamonds in history.

The Black Orlov

The Black Orlov is believed by many to have been discovered in the early 19th century in a mine in India. It was then cut down to a more circular shape and to a weight of 67.50 carats. The diamond’s mythological origins state that it was one of the eyes of the Hindu god Brahma in ancient Pondicherry, the ‘French Riviera of the East,’ until it was stolen by a monk. According to the story, this act of thievery caused the diamond to be cursed forever.

Even stranger than the spiritual beliefs connected to the Black Orlov are the stories and legends surrounding it that can be found in recorded history. In 1932, a diamond dealer named J.W. Paris took the diamond from India to the United States, and was soon after reported to have leapt to his death from a skyscraper in New York City. In 1947, two Russian princesses fell victim to the same fate, Leonila Galatsine Bariatinsky and Nadia Vygin Orlov (who gave the Orlov its name), allegedly committed suicide, in the same way, within a month of each other.

The Korloff Noir Diamond

The Korloff Noir diamond is at the other end of the superstition scale. It is also a stone of impressive size at 421 carats, but its true claim to fame is the luck and good fortune it seems to bring to all who touch it. Notables such as Pete Sampras, Gary Kasparov and Alexei Yagudin have all given a little bit of credit to this gem for their personal successes after touching it.

There is simply nothing ‘standard’ about a black diamond engagement ring. From the stone’s strikingly stunning look, mysterious origins as well as its varied past, a black diamond is destined to make headlines. I don’t think I will tell Frank that the stone might have other-worldly powers. He’ll probably start believing that we could use it to put a hex on the boiler repairman or the whole IT department. However, I am beginning to see that the strong, understated elegance of this stone is why it is so highly sought after as the centre-piece for many bride-to-be’s black diamond engagement ring.

Frank L Orman is the founder of the F&L Designer Guides, compiled and written to help consumers choose a unique engagement ring design. From black engagement rings to princess cuts and engraved bands, we have ideas and opinions covering all the options. Offering advice, tips and suggestions on how to choose that perfect ring, F&L will accompany you on every stage of your search to find the right designer.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.