Much like snowflakes, no two salt and pepper diamonds are exactly the same, increasing their rarity and uniqueness. Mysterious and enchanting, the wild-child sister of classic colorless diamonds, salt and pepper diamonds have the eternal beauty of diamonds with unique celestial characteristics of colored gemstones. There are multiple reasons to fall for these diamonds, we’ll dive into the speckled history, design, and cost of these ethereal gemstones.
Is a Salt and Pepper Diamond Real?
The phrase “salt and pepper” refers to a diamond that has a mix of black and white inclusions giving the stone a speckled look. When miners find diamonds, they aren’t the shimmering, cut stones you see in jewelry, they’re raw, uncut, unpolished, and most are filled with imperfections, inclusions, or “flaws”. Nearly all diamonds have some kind of inclusion, but they’re so small they’re invisible to the naked eye. While traditional diamonds strive for flawless clarity, salt and pepper diamonds embrace their natural inclusions, transforming what would be considered flaws into extraordinary features.
Salt and pepper are colorless diamonds that are formed exactly like white diamonds. They have the same hardness and durability, they only differ aesthetically due to a high concentration of inclusions and trace elements. These inclusions are typically composed of carbon or other materials that became trapped within the diamond during its formation. These diamonds can be milky, colorless, or have flecks of gray, green, or yellow. Those captivating imperfections make each stone one-of-a-kind, and no two salt and pepper diamonds are the same.
Unlike traditional diamonds valued for their clarity and lack of inclusions, salt and pepper diamonds embrace their unique characteristics and are sought after for their unconventional and rustic beauty. The dark inclusions create a speckled or mottled pattern within the diamond, giving it a distinctive and eye-catching appearance. Classic diamonds are cut to avoid inclusion visibility, while salt and pepper diamonds are cut to show off the most prominent inclusions. Cutters often resort to unconventional shapes, such as kites, hexagons, and rose cuts, to achieve maximum peppered perfection.
Why Choose a Salt and Pepper Diamond for an Engagement Ring?
Salt and pepper diamonds have gained popularity in recent years as a choice for alternative and non-traditional engagement rings and jewelry. They offer a more natural and raw aesthetic compared to traditional diamonds, and their unique look appeals to those who value individuality and uniqueness in their jewelry pieces. This special diamond comes in a wide variety of colors (milky, silver, icy white, darker black/gray), so there’s plenty of flexibility with choices, allowing for optimal creativity and personal expression.
Unlike a traditional white diamond that reflects light outward, a salt and pepper diamond’s appeal lies in its depth – they’re mysterious, enigmatic, almost cosmic and pull you into their depths. While this type of diamond is eye-catching, it doesn’t sparkle quite as much as its perfect cousins, simply because less light can be refracted through its silky interior. To enhance this diamond’s beauty, stones are cut to highlight their unique patterns and inclusions. For this reason, fancy cuts are quite common, including step cuts, rose cuts, and geometric shapes like hexagons, kites, pears, and triangles.
These stones are affordable and readily available, and can easily be found in larger sizes. Pricing for traditional diamonds follows an exponential scale, while salt and pepper diamonds will stay more even as carat size and cost both increase. While not as brilliant and dazzling, their unique appearance allows for endless creative and innovative designs that showcase the stone’s individuality and the personality of the wearer.
Whether it’s a traditional diamond or a salt and pepper, we can help you design the perfect ring. Give us a call at 303-385-8449 or click here to schedule an appointment.