An exceptionally rare 888.88-carat natural black diamond, named Infinity, has been displayed publicly for the first time at the Dubai Diamond Conference 2026. The stone, classified as ‘Fancy Black’, was presented by Diamond Trading NV, while security and cash management company Brink’s oversaw its transportation to the event under specialised security arrangements.
Based in Antwerp, Belgium, Diamond Trading NV specialises in sourcing, trading and distributing rough diamonds across international markets.
The diamond was discovered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and initially weighed 1,138 carats in its rough form. Andrew Coxon acquired the stone on behalf of De Beers in 1975.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) examined the rough crystal and recorded it in 2013 as the largest single-crystal natural diamond it had examined and reported on at the time, Gulf News reported.
The rough stone was cut and polished between 2022 and 2024, eventually becoming the finished 888.88-carat Infinity diamond. It is currently owned by Antwerp-based Diamond Trading NV.
Cutting, Polishing, and Natural Characteristics
Speaking at the Dubai Diamond Conference, Daniel de Belder of Diamond Trading NV explained how the stone's natural characteristics influenced the cutting and polishing process.
“It is a black diamond. It carries features that are witnesses of the eruptive process, when it came from 150 kilometres deep down to the surface,” Daniel de Belder of Diamond Trading NV told the audience at Dubai Diamond Conference.
He also explained that the team sought to preserve the diamond's natural features rather than remove the marks associated with its formation and journey towards the Earth's surface.
The Science of Natural Black Diamonds
Black diamonds, also called carbonado diamonds, are natural diamonds that appear black or dark grey. Their colour is associated with numerous tiny mineral inclusions, fractures and structural irregularities that absorb or scatter light.
Unlike colourless diamonds, which are valued for their brilliance and ability to reflect light, black diamonds generally have an opaque appearance. Inclusions of minerals such as graphite, pyrite and hematite can contribute to their dark colour.
Natural black diamonds are rare and occur in different parts of the world. However, not every black diamond available in jewellery is naturally coloured. Some undergo treatments to achieve their appearance, while others are manufactured synthetically in laboratories.
According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), natural black diamonds form deep within the Earth's mantle, at depths ranging from 150 to 800 kilometres beneath the surface.
Grading Challenges and the 4Cs
The conventional diamond grading system evaluates four key characteristics, commonly known as the 4Cs: colour, cut, clarity and carat weight. However, the standard approach to grading transparent diamonds does not apply in the same way to black diamonds.
The GIA explains that the opaque appearance and extensive inclusions in black diamonds make traditional clarity grading unsuitable. Their colour is also assessed differently from that of coloured diamonds such as pink, blue or yellow stones.
“Because black diamonds are typically opaque and heavily included, they aren’t given traditional clarity grades, which applies to transparent stones. And since black diamonds don’t show tonal or saturation differences like pink, blue or yellow diamonds, they’re simply assigned a single color grade: Fancy Black,” GIA explains on its website.
Origins, Uses, and Global Context
Black diamonds are rare and fascinating gemstones found in different parts of the world, particularly in Brazil, the Central African Republic, and several African countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). One famous type of natural black diamond is called Carbonado, which has a unique structure made up of many tiny diamond crystals joined together. Black diamonds are known for their deep black or dark grey colour, exceptional hardness, and distinctive appearance. Unlike traditional transparent diamonds, they often contain graphite, mineral inclusions, and tiny fractures that give them their dark colour. They are used in luxury jewellery, including rings, necklaces, and pendants, as well as in certain industrial applications.
In October 2026, a remarkable natural black diamond named Infinity, weighing 888.88 carats, was unveiled in Dubai. The rough diamond originally weighed 1,138 carats and was sourced from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was purchased in 1975 and later cut and polished between 2022 and 2024, resulting in its current weight. The diamond attracted attention because of its exceptional size, natural black colour, and rarity. However, not every black diamond is a Carbonado, and the value of a black diamond depends on its natural origin, weight, quality, cutting, and certification. Although black diamonds are extremely hard, their internal structure can sometimes make them more vulnerable to damage during cutting or impact.
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