The Truth, Myths & Insider Insights From True Sanity Founder Amit Jhalani
Few gemstones spark as much curiosity—and misunderstanding—as black diamonds. Are they real? Are they rare? Are they treated? Are they even diamonds at all?
For most people, the mystery around black diamonds runs deeper than the color itself. But for True Sanity founder Amit Jhalani, the story of black diamonds is deeply personal. He has been selling them since 1996, long before they became a trend in bridal jewelry, fashion jewelry, and collectors' circles. He was one of the first jewelers in the U.S. market to seriously explore both natural and treated black diamonds.
This article draws on decades of Amit's experience—real case studies, insider knowledge, and industry realities—to finally answer the question: Are black diamonds really diamonds?
Let's bust some myths.
Yes — Black Diamonds Are 100% Real Diamonds
Black diamonds are diamonds. They belong to the same carbon crystal family as white, yellow, or pink diamonds. What makes them black is either:
- Natural inclusions—dense clusters of graphite, hematite, or other minerals trapped during formation
- Treatment—methods like irradiation or high-temperature heating to turn low-color diamonds fully black
Both types are genuine diamonds. The difference is how they get their color—naturally or through human treatment.
Amit Jhalani has sold both natural and treated black diamonds for nearly 30 years, and he emphasizes a truth that surprises most people: "Even I can't tell the difference between natural and treated with the naked eye—and neither can 99% of experts."
Why? Because treatments today are extremely advanced. Even before cutting, rough diamond parcels are sometimes treated at the mine level to enhance color. By the time they reach a jeweler, only advanced gemological testing (like GIA's) can identify whether the color is natural or treated.
A Collector's Question That Started a Career
Back in 1997, something happened that changed Amit's life.
A loyal collector was buying a treated black diamond but insisted on learning the difference between treated and natural black stones. He asked Amit if he had a natural one.
At the time, no one did. Even dealers in the major diamond hubs had never seen a natural, untreated black diamond with documentation.
So Amit went looking.
He traveled through the diamond centers of India until a cutter in Surat handed him a stone the cutter swore was untreated. It was an expensive gamble... but Amit bought it.
He immediately sent it to GIA, the world's most respected gemological laboratory.
The result? It was confirmed as a 100% natural, untreated black diamond.
That moment—holding the first GIA-certified natural black diamond he ever purchased—sparked both a passion and a business direction. It also set the tone for his lifelong obsession with truth, transparency, and scientific verification.
Natural vs. Treated Black Diamonds (And Why Both Have Issues)
A truly helpful guide needs honesty, so here is the insider version you won't read in most jewelry blogs:
1. Natural Black Diamonds
Pros:
- Rare
- Have a raw, cosmic aesthetic
- Formed with natural mineral inclusions
Cons:
- The inclusions cause tiny surface pits, often mistaken for "damage"
- They are extremely difficult to facet cleanly—cutters must constantly work around inclusions
- They are more expensive
- They can break more easily during cutting or setting
2. Treated Black Diamonds
Pros:
- More affordable
- Smoother surfaces
- More consistent, uniform black color
Cons:
- If treated poorly, color can fade or appear patchy over years
- Color coatings (rare but still used by some manufacturers) can chip
- Buyers often mistake them for natural unless certified
Amit is one of the rare experts who works with both types. His approach: "Both natural and treated black diamonds are real diamonds. Each has pros and cons. But either way—you must know what you're buying."
How Are Natural Black Diamonds Formed? (And the Outer-Space Theory)
Here's one of the most fascinating—and most controversial—topics in gemology:
There is a long-standing theory that black diamonds (carbonado) may have originated in outer space, arriving on Earth via meteorite impact.
Why?
- Their crystal structure is different from typical diamonds
- They contain trace elements that are not normally found in Earth-formed diamonds
- And most interestingly: Black diamonds are found only in two locations on Earth—Brazil (South America) and the Central African Republic
These two continents were once connected, before tectonic separation. Some scientists theorize that a massive meteorite impact deposited black diamond material across the supercontinent—splitting across Africa and South America when the plates drifted apart.
While the theory is still debated, it adds another layer of mystique to an already mysterious gemstone.
The #1 Mistake People Make: Not Getting GIA Certification
Amit has seen people unknowingly buy:
- black onyx
- black moissanite
- black cubic zirconia
- glass
- synthetic composites
- low-grade diamonds coated to appear "black"
—and believe they own a diamond.
This is why he has a firm rule: "If you're buying a black diamond, only trust a GIA report."
Other labs may attempt grading, but GIA is the only global standard when it comes to complex diamond types. While even GIA can make occasional human mistakes (a topic Amit covers in another blog), they are still the most reliable, transparent, and scientifically rigorous lab in the world.
Why Transparency Matters (And Why True Sanity Exists)
Amit built True Sanity on a principle that almost doesn't exist in the jewelry world: Transparency.
Most companies hide their margins, sources, treatments, or stone quality. But Amit believes transparency is the foundation of both business and love.
Just as True Sanity advocates honesty and vulnerability in relationships, the brand stands for:
- Transparency in pricing
- Transparency in sourcing
- Transparency in whether a stone is treated or natural
- Transparency in value
A black diamond may be real—but is the story real?
That's where True Sanity draws the line.
So... Are Black Diamonds Really Diamonds?
Yes. But understanding what type you're buying is everything.
Here's the myth-busting summary:
- Yes, black diamonds are real diamonds
- Both natural and treated are real—the difference is color origin
- Natural black diamonds are rare and filled with natural inclusions
- Treated black diamonds are affordable and vibrant but require quality treatment
- GIA certification is critical to avoid fakes and misrepresentation
- Even experts cannot visually tell the difference between natural and treated stones
- The outer-space theory adds exciting scientific mystery
- Transparency matters more than color origin
Final Thought: The Beauty Is in the Truth
A black diamond's value isn't just in its color—it's in its story.
The story of how it formed. The story of how it was cut. And the story of the jeweler who stands behind it.
Amit Jhalani's decades of experience—from discovering his first natural black diamond in 1997 to educating thousands of buyers—reveals one core truth:
Black diamonds are real. But knowing the truth behind them is what makes them beautiful.
Explore True Sanity's Black Diamond Collection
Discover ethically sourced, GIA-certified black diamond jewelry with complete transparency.