16 Stunning Black Gemstones: A Guide to Rare Black Gems

Are you familiar with the mysterious beauty of black gemstones? While some black gems have become synonymous with darkness itself, others remain hidden treasures unknown to most jewelry enthusiasts. This comprehensive guide explores 16 fascinating black gemstones, their unique properties, and what makes each one special.

In this article, you'll learn:

• How black gemstones get their distinctive coloration and what makes them scientifically unique.
• The properties, hardness, and special care requirements for popular black gems like black diamonds and black opals.
• Which black gemstones display special optical effects like stars and cat's eyes.
• The difference between naturally black gemstones and those that have been treated to achieve their dark appearance.
• The historical significance and traditional uses of black gemstones throughout human history.

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Understanding Black Gemstone Color: Is Black Actually a Color?

Technically, black isn't a color. Gemologists describe gemstone color through three main components: hue, tone, and saturation. Hues represent what most people commonly call colors (red, blue, green, etc.), while black and white actually refer to tone, which describes the relative darkness or brightness of a hue. Black represents the darkest possible tone a gemstone can exhibit.

Despite this technical distinction, both gem enthusiasts and professional jewelers regularly use "black" as a color description when discussing gemstones. The appeal of black gemstones lies in their:

• Dramatic appearance that creates striking contrast in jewelry designs.
• Sophisticated look that pairs beautifully with both casual and formal attire.
• Versatility that allows them to complement virtually any other gemstone or metal.
• Unique optical properties that often differ from their colorful counterparts.

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Daily Wear Black Gemstones

When selecting black gemstones for everyday jewelry, durability is paramount. The following gems offer excellent hardness and resistance to daily wear and tear, making them ideal choices for rings, bracelets, and other pieces subject to regular use. These stones can withstand exposure to the elements and frequent contact with surfaces without significant damage.

Black Diamond: The Mysterious Dark Gem

Unlike other fancy colored diamonds that get their hues from chemical impurities (like yellow diamonds containing nitrogen or blue diamonds containing boron), black diamonds derive their distinctive appearance differently. Instead of chemical elements, black diamonds contain numerous inclusions within their crystal structure.

These inclusions are primarily tiny specks of black graphite—a soft carbon form that develops when Earth's pressure isn't sufficient to create diamond. The diamond itself isn't actually black; rather, it contains so many graphite crystals throughout that it appears black to the observer. Some producers enhance this effect by using radiation to amplify the graphite content, deepening the apparent black color.

Black diamonds possess some interesting characteristics:

• They maintain diamond's famous 10 hardness rating, making them extremely scratch-resistant.
• Despite their hardness, the abundance of inclusions weakens their structure, making them more prone to splitting than other diamonds.
• They can develop a distinctively different appearance from green or other colored diamonds.
• Their surface often appears slightly pitted rather than perfectly smooth.
• They require protective settings to account for their structural vulnerabilities.

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What Are Carbonados? Understanding Black Diamond Variants

While often referred to as "black diamonds," carbonados are actually quite different. They are polycrystalline materials composed of amorphous carbon, graphite, and diamond. Traditional diamonds used in jewelry, including black diamonds, are crystalline materials with organized atomic structures.

Carbonados possess even greater durability than regular diamonds but have historically been used primarily for industrial applications rather than jewelry. However, their reputation is changing—in 2022, Sotheby's sold a 555.55-ct faceted carbonado for more than four million US dollars, demonstrating their growing appeal as collector's items.

Black Sapphire: Dark Beauty with Hidden Depths

The term "black sapphire" commonly describes ultra-dark sapphires of various underlying hues, whether blue, brown, or green. These gemstones appear black because they're so dark that light barely travels through their crystal structure. However, truly black sapphires do occur naturally, with Australia being their primary source.

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Some black sapphires contain precisely aligned rutile inclusions that create a fascinating optical phenomenon called asterism. This star-like effect produces a shimmering light pattern that moves across the gemstone's surface. To highlight this effect:

• Lapidaries typically cut these gems as rounded cabochons rather than faceted stones.
• The resulting stars may display six or twelve rays depending on the internal structure.
• Like black diamonds, abundant inclusions can compromise the stone's durability.
• These sapphires require careful handling and protective settings to prevent damage.

Black Tourmaline (Schorl): The Protective Black Crystal

While collectors prize the vibrant blues of paraíba tourmaline and the rich greens of chrome tourmaline, the schorl variety of tourmaline offers a beautiful jet-black color all its own. This black gemstone gets its distinctive coloration from high iron content and takes its name from the German village where it was first identified.

Historically, faceted schorl tourmaline was extensively used in mourning jewelry. Today, you can find black tourmaline in various forms:

• Beautiful raw schorl crystals command high prices from mineral collectors.
• Polished stones and carved beads represent the most popular jewelry applications.
• Some faceted gems remain available but are less common than other forms.
• With a hardness of 7-7½, any black tourmaline jewelry suits daily wear.

Black Spinel: Affordable Luxury in Black Gemstones

Though spinel gemstones are renowned for their bright, vivid colors, they also naturally occur in an elegant black variety. Black spinel gems possess several desirable qualities:

• They can take an exceptionally high polish, creating a remarkably reflective surface.
• Their hardness rating of 8 ensures excellent scratch resistance for everyday wear.
• They maintain their lustrous appearance even after years of regular use.

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For budget-conscious shoppers, black spinel offers a significant advantage — black isn't the most popular spinel color. This lower demand translates to more affordable prices compared to other spinels, making black spinel an excellent value in terms of price-per-carat for those seeking bold black gemstones without a hefty investment.

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Black Garnet (Melanite): The Rare Dark Gemstone

Melanite represents a subset of the rare andradite variety of garnet and stands as the only naturally black andradite garnet. Its unique coloration comes from traces of titanium oxide in its chemical composition. The name "melanite" derives from the Greek word "melanos," meaning "black."

During the Victorian Era, melanite garnets were popular choices for mourning jewelry. Unlike other garnet varieties that are relatively common in today's market, melanite gems remain quite scarce. Jewelry enthusiasts seeking black garnet stones should expect limited availability, as they won't be found in typical jewelry establishments.

Black Chalcedony: The Smooth Black Quartz Variety

A common type of quartz, chalcedony features an internal structure composed of extremely tiny cryptocrystalline pieces. These microscopic crystals create a material that both looks and feels remarkably smooth. Given chalcedony's abundance in nature, this gem appears in numerous colors and patterns, including black.

Some confusion exists within the gem trade regarding black chalcedony:

• Solid black chalcedony without other colors should simply be called "black chalcedony".
• Many incorrectly call solid black chalcedony "onyx".
• True "Arabic onyx", featuring black and white bands, is distinctive and popular.
• The term "onyx" should only describe chalcedonies with straight or nearly parallel color layers.
• Onyx varieties can include red, brown, yellow, and blue layers, not just black and white.
• These contrasting layers have made onyx a traditional favorite for cameo carvings.
• Agate, another chalcedony variety, features concentric or curved color bands instead.

To further complicate matters, most black chalcedony in today's market is actually dyed to enhance or create its black color rather than being naturally black.

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Black Jade: Ancient Black Gemstone in Two Varieties

The term "jade" encompasses two distinct minerals: jadeite and nephrite. Both can naturally occur with black coloration. Since black isn't the most desired jade color, black jade varieties typically cost significantly less than the highly prized green and lavender jade varieties.

Jade typically forms in massive boulders, allowing lapidaries to occasionally carve rings and bracelets from a single stone block. These single-stone pieces, called hololiths, represent special achievements in jade carving craftsmanship.

Occasional Wear Black Gemstones

These black gemstones require more careful handling and are best reserved for special occasions rather than everyday use. While beautiful and distinctive, they may be more vulnerable to damage from impacts, chemicals, or temperature changes. With proper care and appropriate settings, these gems can still provide years of enjoyment when worn thoughtfully.

Black Opal: Nature's Most Valuable Black Gemstone

In the world of opals, black color commands the highest prices — a striking contrast to most other gemstone varieties. However, it's important to understand that the "black" in black opal refers specifically to the body color or background. Against this dark backdrop, the opal's famous play-of-color effect appears particularly spectacular.

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Black opals come in three primary subcategories:

• Semi-black opal with a moderately dark body tone
• Gray-base black opal with a charcoal-like background
• Black crystal opal distinguished by its exceptional transparency and play-of-color

All these varieties must appear black under reflected light, though their actual body color may be dark gray, green, brown, or blue. Black crystal opal represents the most coveted type due to its transparency and extraordinary color play. The world's most famous source of black opals is Lightning Ridge in Australia.

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All opals require special care considerations:

• They show great sensitivity to sudden temperature changes.
• They remain vulnerable to fractures and scratches.
• They benefit from following proper guidelines in an opal care guide.
• They absolutely require protective settings, especially for ring settings.

Black Diopside: The Phenomenal Black Gemstone

Though relatively unknown to many gem enthusiasts, diopside can occur with a natural black color that creates beautiful jewelry stones. What makes black diopside particularly special is its potential to display phenomenal optical effects:

• Diopsides may exhibit asterism (star effect) with typically four rays.
• These star patterns often feature one sharp ray and one less-defined ray.
• Some specimens display chatoyancy, creating a captivating cat's-eye effect.
• In black gemstones, these optical phenomena appear especially striking.

Hematite: The Heavy Iron Black Gemstone

Hematite is a distinctive black stone whose name derives from a Greek word for blood. This connection comes from the stone's tendency to rust over time, developing a dark reddish color on its surface. As rare red and gray hematites sometimes occur, the black variety is specifically identified as black hematite.

This mineral possesses several unique characteristics:

• As an iron oxide, it contains substantial iron content, giving it remarkable density.
• Hematite gems feel surprisingly heavy for their size compared to other gemstones.
• Due to its density and tendency to fracture, it most commonly appears as beads.
• Jewelry often features hematite in secure settings like signet rings with intaglio carvings.
• Natural hematite is not magnetic — magnetic stones sold as "hematine" or "magnetic hematite" are actually simulants.

Fortunately for those attracted to its lustre, hematite remains one of the most affordable black gemstones available.

Black Pearl: Organic Black Gemstone From the Sea

The next five black gemstones share an organic origin, meaning they were naturally created by living organisms. Black pearls develop within the bodies of certain mollusk species in both saltwater and freshwater environments.

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Naturally-formed black pearls without human intervention are extremely rare. However, cultured Tahitian pearls can develop truly black body colors through careful cultivation techniques. Some less expensive options undergo color modification:

• Lightly colored, inexpensive freshwater pearls may receive treatments like silver nitrate dye.
• Gamma-ray radiation treatments can also create black body colors in pearls.
• These treatment methods produce more affordable black pearl options.

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Collectible Black Gemstones

These black gemstones are best appreciated as collection pieces rather than jewelry stones. Due to their fragility, rarity, or conservation concerns, they are better suited for display cases than regular wear. Collectors value these materials for their unique properties, historical significance, or natural beauty rather than their practical applications in jewelry.

Obsidian: Volcanic Black Crystal Glass

Obsidian is a naturally occurring black glass formed through volcanic activity. Its unique formation process often creates distinctive features:

• It may contain trapped air bubbles that create interesting patterns.
• It typically appears very shiny and reflective when polished.
• When fractured, it creates extremely sharp edges—sharper than modern surgical instruments.
• It may incorporate bands of other colors like purple, green, gray, and orange.
• A variety called "snowflake obsidian" displays characteristic white patches.

The term "obsidian" has become so synonymous with blackness that it frequently appears as a descriptor for the color black itself in modern language.

Jet Gemstone: Ancient Fossilized Black Wood

Jet forms from buried wood logs saturated with natural oils through a process similar to coal formation but results in a stronger, smoother material. Despite these improvements over coal, jet remains notoriously soft compared to mineral gemstones.

As a soft, opaque material, jet typically appears in jewelry as carvings or beads rather than faceted gems. Being essentially condensed and preserved wood, jet pieces feel remarkably light and warm to the touch — characteristics that help distinguish it from other black gemstones.

Gem-quality jet occurs in several global locations, but the most famous source is Whitby, England. Archaeological evidence reveals that humans in that region used jet for ornamentation even in Neolithic times. However, jet's popularity reached unprecedented heights in the 1860s when Queen Victoria wore it as mourning jewelry following Prince Albert's death.

The phrase "jet black" has become such a common color descriptor that many people recognize the term without knowing about the actual gemstone.

Black Coral: Endangered Oceanic Black Gemstone

While coral typically evokes images of bright pinkish-orange or exotic blue colors, black coral exists as a distinctive variety. Black coral reefs grow primarily off the coasts of Hawaii and Queensland, Australia—both regions have implemented laws restricting or banning black coral exportation to protect these endangered ecosystems.

Due to these conservation efforts, most black coral jewelry available today is likely vintage rather than newly harvested. Within the coral family:

• Black coral belongs to the protein-rich conchiolin coral category.
• It sometimes carries alternative names like "king's coral" or "Akabar coral."
• Despite its rarity, black isn't the most valuable color for conchiolin coral—gold holds that distinction.
• This value disparity has led some dealers to bleach black coral to achieve more profitable colors.

Black Amber: Darkened Ancient Tree Resin

Amber, the hardened resin of ancient trees, typically occurs in yellow, brown, or reddish hues. Its famous ability to trap and preserve prehistoric vegetation and insects has fascinated humans for millennia. Archaeological findings indicate that people have used amber for at least 10,000 years for both decoration and practical purposes like burning as incense. In fact, the German name for amber is bernstein, which literally means "burn stone."

While amber doesn't naturally start black, it can darken significantly through oxidation when its outer protective layer gets removed through polishing or cutting. Additionally:

• Amber's porous and soft nature makes it vulnerable to damage even when unaltered.
• Some black amber gemstones available commercially have been artificially dyed black.
• The Baltic Sea region serves as Europe's primary amber source, though other gem-quality deposits exist worldwide.

Black Horn: Ancient Organic Black Material

Humans have utilized animal horns as adornment materials for many thousands of years. Conservation laws now strictly regulate their use in modern jewelry. Most horn naturally exhibits yellowish to brown coloration, but some exceptionally dark specimens appear nearly black.

Vintage jewelry collections may feature large, polished horn pieces that showcase this organic black material's distinctive grain patterns and natural luster. These pieces represent historical jewelry traditions rather than contemporary production due to current conservation restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Black Gemstones

How do black diamonds get their color?

Unlike other colored diamonds that get their hues from chemical impurities, black diamonds get their color from numerous inclusions within the stone. These inclusions are mostly tiny specks of black graphite. The diamond itself isn't actually black, but contains so many graphite crystals that it appears black to the observer.

Are black diamonds as durable as colorless diamonds?

While black diamonds have the same hardness rating of 10 as all diamonds, they aren't as durable. The presence of so many inclusions weakens their crystal structure, making them more prone to splitting than other diamonds. Their surface may appear pitted, and they require protective settings in jewelry.

Which black gemstone is most valuable?

Black opal is generally considered the most valuable black gemstone. In the world of opals, black color commands the highest prices—unlike most other gem varieties where black typically sells for less. Black crystal opal, distinguished by its transparency and exceptional play-of-color, is the most coveted type.

Where do black opals come from?

The most famous source of black opals is Lightning Ridge in Australia. Black opals must appear black under reflected light but may actually be dark gray, green, brown, or blue in their body color.

Are all black gemstones naturally black?

No, not all black gemstones are naturally black. Some, like black chalcedony, are often dyed to enhance or create their black color. Black amber doesn't start naturally black but can darken significantly through oxidation when its outer protective layer is removed during polishing or cutting.

What is the difference between onyx and black chalcedony?

There is often confusion about these terms. Strictly speaking, solid black chalcedony should simply be called "black chalcedony." True onyx refers only to chalcedonies with straight or nearly parallel layers of color, not solid black material. "Arabic onyx" specifically refers to onyx with black and white bands.

Are black pearls naturally black?

Pearls that form in nature without human intervention rarely show black color. Cultured Tahitian pearls can have a truly black body color. Some pearls, especially inexpensive freshwater pearls, may be treated with silver nitrate dye or gamma-ray radiation to create black body colors.

Why is black coral jewelry rare?

Black coral reefs are found primarily off the coasts of Hawaii and Queensland, Australia. Both locations have enacted laws restricting or banning the exportation of black coral to protect their endangered reefs. As a result, most black coral jewelry available today is likely vintage rather than newly made.