What are black dimonds?

Answer 1

Even a one-carat diamond requires billions of carbon atoms to bond, and all of those atoms must be carbon to create a colorless diamond. The slightest quirk creates a colored diamond: a bit of boron makes a blue diamond; nitrogen makes a yellow diamond; natural radiation form nearby rocks trap electrons to create a green surface color; pink or red shades are thought to be due to changes to the electron structure during the voyage to the surface. However, a black diamond's color is not related to trace elements. Small inclusions of graphite and iron clusters create the "black" color. While other colored diamonds are transparent, the black diamond is typically opaque, and therefore, does not exhibit the fire and brilliance of a white diamond or transparent colored diamond. Since a black diamond necessarily has inclusions, they fracture more easily than some other gem-quality diamonds. They do not cleave as predictably as most diamonds. The difficulties involved with cutting and polishing black diamonds precludes many from becoming gem-quality, and most are declared industrial-use only. Perhaps this helps better define a black diamond ski slope, too. The snow may look white, but there can be hidden "inclusions" that make the path more difficult to navigate safely than other grades of ski slopes.