Definition

Noun: 1. An inferior dark diamond used in industry for drilling and polishing: A "black diamond" is a type of diamond that is not gem-quality due to its dark, often opaque or heavily included, appearance. Its extreme hardness makes it valuable for industrial applications, such as cutting, grinding, drilling, and polishing other materials.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The drill bit is tipped with a black diamond to cut through the hardest rock.
  • These abrasive wheels are embedded with black diamonds for precision polishing.
  • Unlike the clear diamonds in jewelry, black diamonds are primarily used for their utility in manufacturing.

Advanced Usage

• Industrial diamond: This is a common synonym for "black diamond" in technical and commercial contexts, emphasizing its use rather than its color.
  • The mining company separates gem-quality stones from industrial diamonds.
• Carbonado: This is a specific, polycrystalline form of black diamond found primarily in Brazil and Central Africa. It is exceptionally tough.
  • Carbonado, a type of black diamond, is highly sought after for heavy-duty drilling tools.

Variants and Related Words

• Bort (or Bortz) (n): Another term for poorly crystallized or granular diamond material used as an abrasive. It is often considered a type of black diamond.
  • The powder was made from crushed bort.

Synonyms

• Industrial diamond
• Carbonado (specific type)
• Bort

Notes on Different Meanings

• Gemstone/Jewelry Context: In modern jewelry, "black diamond" can also refer to treated or naturally black gem-quality diamonds used in fine jewelry. This is a distinct meaning from the industrial term. The industrial definition refers to non-gem, utilitarian material.
  • Industrial Context: "The machine uses black diamonds to cut granite."
  • Jewelry Context: "Her ring features a stunning black diamond surrounded by white diamonds."

Noun

1. an inferior dark diamond used in industry for drilling and polishing