Guide to The Best Black Stone Rings
If there is a stone color that pairs well with other stone hues, it is black. Black gemstones are elegant, versatile choices that bring a unique charm to rings. Black gems were once thought of to symbolize mourning and were believed to contain negative energy. Queen Victoria famously wore a crown with black gemstones for the funeral of Prince Albert. Because of the gothic, somber, and somewhat mystical vibe of black gems, they are all the rave again.
People who dare to make bold fashion statements have now taken to black stones. Not only are these timeless symbols, which can be styled in many different ways you want, but they are sophisticated pieces that will certainly command attention in almost the same way if not more than a white gem. In this article, we will review a few black gems for rings to discover what makes them special and why they are so popular.
- Black Diamonds
Everyone knows and loves the traditional white diamonds, but there is also another naturally occurring color variant we don’t talk enough of - it’s black diamonds. These carbon-infused diamonds were formed beneath the surface of the earth billions of years ago. For centuries, they were not used as jewelry pieces, possibly due to the dark meanings cultures attributed to them until the late 20th century. So what is responsible for the dark hue of diamonds? As a result of graphite and other similar materials present in the stone, there exists certain imperfections. This makes light move through the gem differently, giving it a darker appearance. Natural deep black diamonds are rare to come across, but still possible to find. However, most black diamonds today have been treated to enhance their color.
Diamonds have been the recognized gem of love since the 1930s during the De Beer’s campaigns. Black diamonds are much more than that due to their many other qualities. For example, they are believed to represent courage and justice while many people think they offer protection from evil, envy, and any negative feelings.
The options for styling your black diamond engagement ring are endless, but the best shapes for black diamonds are round, oval, and pear cuts while they look ravishing set against white gold and platinum bands. If you’d like to keep your ring simple, then a solitaire setting will do just that, but if you are looking to glam things up, add a halo or side stones.
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Onyx
Onyx is one of the first recognized black stones for rings because it has been around for centuries, and records indicate onyx jewelry pieces were worn by the ancient Mesopotamians. Onyx has come to have different meanings over time. Gem lovers in the 18th century believed the stone was able to prevent ghosts and evil visions, but being a dark-colored stone, it became associated with mourning and burials over 100 years later. Thankfully, people have grown out of such a mindset about black stones, and now, onyx is once again revered for his anti-negative power and the ability to improve instinct, intellect, wit, and habits.
Onyx is of the quartz family so displays properties similar to other members of the family, which are amethyst and citrine. Natural onyx features parallel color layers. Onyx does not display quite the sparkle compared to black diamonds, and you might go for that if black shining stones mean more to you.
Onyx ranks 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, which makes it fairly durable for daily wear. A bezel setting which has metal wraps around the full stone can be a great way to protect your stone from the daily bumps and scratches that can damage it.
Black Opal
These ancient gemstones that have been revered across cultures in Europe and Asia are some of the most unique gemstones in the world. Opals are so different that you won’t find two identical stones. They are known for their color flashing when viewed from different angles - a phenomenon known as “play-of-color.” Black opals aren’t technically black, but display a dark background color similar to other black gemstones, which also makes their play-of-color pop out beautifully. This means that compared to lighter-colored opals, black opals are more rarer and highly sought after. Opals are not dense and range between 5 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale, which means they are the least durable gem on this list and should be used with extreme care. A bezel setting once again would be a crucial black stone ring protection, while a prong setting will serve to display its dazzling appearance best.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve looked at three of the most popular black stone rings you can get today. Each one has its own meaning and provides unique beauty and charm depending on what suits your personality and taste best. There are other elegant black gemstones not mentioned here, some of which include black garnet, black pearl, black sapphire, black tourmaline, black spinel, and much more. Remember, when buying your black stone ring, consider important factors such as durability, shape, brilliance, and sparkle. Lastly, ensure your preferred gem meets your budget as black gemstone rings can be found in varying price ranges whether for engagement and wedding rings, promise rings, eternity rings, or any other purpose.
