Color is back and yes, this even includes black. While colorless diamonds will forever be in style, women and men are expanding their jewelry collections to include black—the hottest new color in engagement rings.

Women are now more desirous of looking different, not wanting to conform to the norm. One way to do this is to step away from the traditional engagement ring of a centered, prong set colorless diamond. To do something more unconventional and make a bold statement, they are opting for black diamond engagement rings. They offer brilliance and something very unique with almost a vintage feel to them. It’s also popular to have a ring with smaller cut stones with more of a pave look than a centered stone. It’s original and will certainly make people remember the ring.

Men are also going the untraditional route and purchasing engagement rings with diamonds instead of simple bands. One trendy choice is to use black diamonds instead, which can look very masculine. They are very popular set against white gold or platinum. Because of the darker color, they contrast nicely with a lighter metal.

Black diamond engagement rings are also very dramatic; they offer a shine and brilliance unavailable in other colored stones. They also come in deep hues, which adds a new level of sophistication to a ring.

Black diamonds are very rare, however, and with increasing popularity, they also can be harder to find. If you are picky about cut and size, you’ll need to do your homework when looking for the right black diamond ring. But because of their rarity, you can be assured that black diamonds will hold their value for a long time and will be a priceless heirloom to be passed down to the next generation.