Black Diamond Engagement Rings as an Alternative

Now more than ever people are seeking to make their wedding an extension of their own style statement. People are seeking alternatives to the traditional choices that have flooded the market for decades in everything from the wedding gown to the engagement ring. That need for an alternative style has brought about a new option when it comes to choosing an engagement ring: the black diamond.

Black diamonds are formed when graphite is introduced during the formation process creating the opaque stone. The trend in choosing this opaque stone as an option for engagement rings can be traced back to a fictional character that many looked to in order to set the trend with regards to style: Carrie Bradshaw.

Her black diamond engagement ring given to her by “Mr. Big” was the first in what has now become a long line of black diamond engagement rings. Other celebrities following in the trend of black diamond engagement rings include Carmen Electra and Kat Von D. There are some factors to be aware of though when it comes to choosing your black diamond engagement ring.

Black diamonds do not sparkle like other stones; instead they have a reflective adamantine luster which provides results in a gorgeous gemstone that is sure to turn heads. Since the black diamond is opaque in color the four C’s also do not apply when you are making your diamond selection. Instead, the quality of the diamond is determined by the inkiness of the color throughout the stone.  Another factor to remember when choosing black diamonds is that they are heavier than colorless diamonds which means that a 1 carat black stone will be smaller than a 1 carat colorless stone.

Finally, when you are selecting your black diamond you must also consider the metal color that you will pair with it. In this case, metal options are completely a matter of your own personal taste. Compare how the stone looks in a gold, silver, or platinum setting and make your selection based on the one that you gravitate to the most. So, if you are in the market for a change you have found the right place: the black diamond.

 

The Allure of Black Diamonds

For someone who loves diamonds but wants to stand out in a crowd, black diamonds are a great choice. Not only are they do they create an exciting sultry look, they are rare and elegant. Black diamonds are a great choice for all types of jewelry for both men and women alike.

There is no doubt that the black diamond has some mystery and allure to it, making it even more desirable in jewelry

The black diamond is also known as “Carbonado,” and it has a polycrystalline structure that causes it to sparkle. It is primarily found in Brazil and Central Africa. Black diamonds have traces of nitrogen and carbon in their structure, probing some people to question their origin. There is no doubt that the black diamond has some mystery and allure to it, making it even more desirable in jewelry. Its colors range from dark gray to deep black.

Black diamond jewelry is extremely versatile because it can be part of a casual outfit as well as a dressy ensemble. Black diamonds look great with a cocktail dress, business suit, or even jeans and a sweater. Because they have slightly less sparkle than a while diamond, black diamonds are perfect for men’s jewelry. In fact, many men have them as part of their wedding band designs. Black diamonds can create a masculine look that is incomparable to white diamonds.

Virtually any type of jewelry pieces become sensational with the addition of black diamonds. Perhaps one of the most interesting and gorgeous ideas is the black diamond engagement ring. Why go for a traditional white diamond like everyone else? A woman will surely stand and get noticed when she has a gorgeous black diamond solitaire ring on her left hand. A man and a woman can get matching black diamond wedding rings for a timeless and creative look.

Black diamonds look absolutely stunning when they are paired with other colored diamonds and gems in jewelry. The possibilities are rather endless when it comes to all of the combinations. Imagine a white gold ring with a black diamond round solitaire hugged by white diamonds, rubies, or sapphires. Or picture a platinum pendant with black diamonds and canary yellow diamonds. Stunning pieces of jewelry can be created with the addition of luscious black diamonds.

Top 5 Jewelry Trends for Fall 2012

There seems to be negative connotations associated with the arrival of autumn, mainly because it is associated with returning to the dreaded classroom, a conclusion of those lazy days of summer and, it is the call sign of colder temperatures. Despite all the negative hoopla associated with autumn, there are some wonderful things in the jewelry world. It brings with it great beauty and charm, and the fashion is simply exquisite. Here are the five jewelry trends guaranteed to turn heads this Fall.

Barkev’s Rose Gold Diamond Engagement Ring

1. Gold Jewelry- Gold is very hot at the moment. Classic, versatile, and very chic, gold is the jewelry of the season. If you’re not really into gold, then try rose gold, which has a pink color to it. It compliments a variety of skin tones and clothing. Ladies, forget about the white gold and silver and parade around in yellow and rose gold instead.

2. Go for the Statement Pieces- Either go all out or don’t go at all. This is not the time for shyness in bauble selections. As far as necklaces go, you can’t really go wrong with large pendants, bib necklaces, or chokers. These pieces will help separate you from the mundane and uninteresting. If you really want to make a statement, express yourself full force with chandelier earrings, as their size, beauty, and femininity will easily help you stand out from the crowd.

3. Jewels Are Better in Layers- It is almost mandatory that you layer your bracelets. Stacking bangles will make a strong, bold statement. It easily draws excitement, which is an excellent attention grabber. But why stop there? Innovate, experiment. Layering necklaces is also a good idea. Pair together necklaces of different sizes, be it long or short – those pendants that shout to the crowd and those more demure, quiet pieces. Be creative, innovative, and original. Find that look that says “You”.

Barkev’s Black Diamond Engagement Ring

4. Go for the Colored Diamonds- It is true that the white diamond is tops when it comes to sparkly jewelry, but it may be time to set aside the ordinary and delve into the extraordinary of rainbow colored diamonds. Brown, Green and Blue are good colored diamonds to experiment with this season.

5. Pick Out Some Jewelry Inspired by Nature – You can’t go wrong with natured colored tones in these delightful autumn months. The most prevalent colors are orange, brown and green, representative of the color of leaves, the barks of trees, and the color of nature itself. Express yourself with nature’s colors with gorgeous gemstones like the beautiful carnelian, drusy jewelry, and  smoky quartz. Leaves, feathers, and floral designs add appeal to your jewelry, giving it a more nature-inspired look.

There you go! These are some of the best, most fashionable jewelry trends we’ll be showing off this Fall. How will you express yourself?

Fancy Colored Diamond Engagement Rings Stand out from the Crowd

Whether you want to look stunning in black diamonds or bedazzling in a yellow bauble, you can get a gorgeous engagement ring adorned with colored diamonds. Colored – or fancy diamonds – are extremely rare and valuable, and add a unique touch to traditional white diamond rings.

Diamond Colors

Diamond colors run the gamut of the spectrum, from pink to blue, red, black, orange and purple. Colored diamonds have impurities which cause tints of color. Even though they have impurities, colored diamonds are extremely valuable as they are rare.  Fancy colored diamonds comprise less than 2 percent of all diamonds.

The most desirable fancy diamonds have intense colors and pure color hues. They are ranked by saturation level, with nine options: Faint, Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Dark, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep and Fancy Vivid, with Fancy Vivid being the most sought after and intense level.

Kim Kardashian looks stunning in a red diamond ring.

Colored Diamond Meanings

Different colored diamonds have different meanings. Here is a rundown of the symbolism of various fancy diamonds:

  • Black diamonds were traditionally more common for men’s jewelry, but women including celebs like Fergie and Sarah Jessica Parker are making bold fashion statements with them. Black diamonds exude sophistication and mystery.
  • Yellow diamonds symbolize joy, commitment and thoughtfulness. Yellow diamonds brighten up designer jewelry with a radiant glow. Beyonce, Heidi Klum, Penelope Cruz and Carrie Underwood have donned dazzling yellow diamonds.
  • Red diamonds are extremely rare and symbolize lasting love and romance. Stylish celebs such as Kim Kardashian and Angelina Jolie have worn stunning red diamonds.

New Black Diamond Collection

With more than three decades’ experience, Barkev’s is nationally known for the fine products it manufactures as a leading designer in the jewelry industry. The company, based in Los Angeles, specializes in creating and selling beautiful engagement rings that last for generations. In addition to this, Barkev’s produces wedding bands for men and women, as well as pendants, bracelets and earrings, all of which can be set with diamonds or other gemstones.

Many different variants of the typical diamond engagement ring are apparent, including the Solitaire, Three-Stone, Starnish and Halo Collections. Recently, Barkev’s added the Black Diamond Collection to its showcase of beautiful engagement rings.

There are many different rings to choose from in the Black Diamond Collection, each with its own unique characteristics. The defining trait of the Black Diamond Collection is the addition of black diamonds in each ring design. These are not the only diamonds in the ring—white diamonds are also an important part of each piece. The contrasting colors of the diamonds make for an eye-catching combination that leaves observers with a sense of awe and curiosity.

The standard metal used in each of these rings is white gold, available in both 14K and 18K. If customers would like a higher grade of metal quality, they can choose to upgrade to platinum. The weight of the diamonds in the Barkev’s Black Diamond Collection varies from 0.10 to 1.15 carats, so there is something for every diamond lover. Each ring is exclusively designed and manufactured by Barkev’s in the USA.

View the entire black diamond collection.