When you think of autumn and the color black, what comes to mind? Black cats and black witch hats probably made your list. But what about engagement rings with black stones? Yes, they exist and are currently all the rage. So, sit back and relax because we’re about to tell you more!
From men’s engagement rings to engagement watches, it’s clear that couples are rewriting the book of love. And the same goes for black stone engagement rings. Certain search engines have reported an increase in requests, such as black wedding ring sets, while some shopping platforms have also seen a significant jump in recent purchases of black stone engagement rings.
What’s causing this surge? A dark stone is a beautiful, unique statement of love. Some brides are even opting for black wedding dresses, and a matching gem would perfectly complement. If you’d like to give your special someone an alluring, black gem too, here are a few options to consider!
Black Diamonds
Black diamonds are rather similar to the traditional white diamonds we know and love! The natural versions
are made of carbon and were formed billions of years ago beneath the Earth’s surface. Yet, they weren’t used in jewelry until the late 20th century! So, what gives these diamonds their dark hue? Imperfections that are caused by traces of graphite and similar minerals in the stone. As a result, light moves differently through the gem, and it appears darker. While it’s possible to find a natural diamond with a deep black color, it’s pretty rare. So, you’ll likely see black diamonds that have undergone heat treatments to enhance their color.
Gem Meaning: Diamonds have long been a symbol of love, but black diamonds reportedly possess several other qualities. For example, some believe these stones represent courage and justice while others think they protect from evil and calm jealous feelings.
Jewelry Tip: You can ultimately design your engagement ring however you’d like, but black diamonds look especially stunning in round, oval and pear shapes against white gold and platinum bands. Keep your ring simple with a solitaire setting or glam things up by adding a halo or side stones!
Fun Fact: What’s the most famous black diamond engagement ring? Some would argue that it belongs to fictional TV and movie character Carrie Bradshaw. During the 2010 film, “Sex and the City 2,” Bradshaw received an 18-karat gold engagement ring that featured a 5-carat black diamond and 80 pave-set accent diamonds!
Onyx
Onyx jewelry has been around for centuries. In fact, records indicate that pieces were worn in Mesopotamia, the world’s first civilization! This gem is technically part of the quartz family and therefore has similarities to amethyst and citrine. In their natural form, onyx stones feature parallel layers of color. Solid black onyx is
also available, but these gems are usually dyed to enhance their color. If sparkle is important to you, it’s worth noting that onyx only scores between 1.544 and 1.533 on the brilliance refractive index. That means it doesn’t shine quite as brightly as black diamonds or diamond alternatives, like cubic zirconia.
Gem Meaning: According to legend, onyx has represented different qualities throughout history. In the 1700s, gem lovers believed this stone had the power to prevent phantoms and evil visions. But due to its dark color, it became a popular gem in mourning jewelry about a century later. Thankfully, those bad vibes are in the past! Now, onyx is associated with removing negative thinking and improving one’s wit, instinct and habits.
Jewelry Tip: Onyx scores a 7 out of 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale — a scale that ranks the durability of diamonds, gemstones and other minerals. Even though it's not as strong as diamonds, it’s still durable enough for daily wear. But if you want to protect your piece from daily bumps and scratches, jewelry experts suggest a bezel setting, in which metal wraps around the entire stone.
Fun Fact: Onyx is the official stone for celebrating a seventh wedding anniversary!
Black Opal
Opals are just like snowflakes and fingerprints — you won’t find two identical stones! These precious gems are known for flashing a range of colors when viewed from different angles, a concept often called “play-of-color.” Some opals display only one or two colors, but the rarest and most valuable gems glow with a rainbow of shades. Black opals specifically feature a dark background color, which makes play-of-color really stand out. That means these gems are rarer and more valuable than lighter colored opals.
Gem Meaning: Similar to onyx, opals have also existed for hundreds of years! For many European citizens, they represented hope, purity and truth. In ancient Greece, residents thought opals even protected against disease and gave owners the ability to predict the future.
Jewelry Tip: Since opals aren’t very dense, you can select larger stones for an engagement ring. However, keep in mind that they only range between 5 and 6.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Therefore, they aren’t as durable as onyx, diamonds and other gems. So, be careful if your opal is worn daily! While you might be tempted to choose a prong setting and show off more of your dazzling black opal, a bezel setting will likely provide more protection.
Fun Fact: Opals are the official stones for celebrating a 14th wedding anniversary!
Have a question? We can help!
Gage Diamonds is Chicago's premier jewelry showroom and online retailer of engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry. We offer a selection of dazzling handpicked diamonds, including certified natural and lab grown diamonds, and colored gemstones.
We’re committed to helping you find the ring of your dreams. For inspiration, browse our website or set up an appointment with a member of our trusted staff at our in-person showroom.
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