Amsterdam Diamond

Amsterdam Diamond
Weight	33.74 carats (6.748 g)
Color	Black
Cut	Pear

The Amsterdam Diamond is a black diamond weighing 33.74 carats (6.748 g), and has 145 facets. It is in a pear shape, and cut from a 55.85 carats (11.170 g) rough. It was sold in 2001 for $US352,000, the highest price paid for a black diamond at auction.

The diamond originated in Africa.

About the Diamond

Origin and Characteristics:

- **Discovery**: The Amsterdam Diamond was discovered in Central Africa, though the specific country is not well-documented. Africa is a significant source of black diamonds, and many of these gems are found in regions like the Central African Republic or Brazil.

- **Carat Weight**: The diamond weighs 33.74 carats, making it one of the largest black diamonds known. - **Color**: The diamond is a deep black, which is relatively rare for diamonds. This black color is due to the presence of numerous inclusions, usually graphite, within the stone.

History:

- **Auction in Amsterdam**: The diamond is named after the city of Amsterdam, Netherlands, where it was sold at auction in 2001. The auction highlighted its rarity, and it fetched a high price due to its size, color, and unique characteristics.

Black Diamonds:

- **Rarity**: Black diamonds, also known as "carbonado," are different from traditional diamonds because they are typically more opaque and have a unique polycrystalline structure.

- **Formation**: There is some debate about how black diamonds form, but it is believed they may originate from space or through high-pressure conditions on Earth.