They’re Really Pretty, but What Exactly are Salt and Pepper Diamonds?
The classic image that is brought to mind by the word diamond is that of a white, round, brilliant cut stone. But there is so much more to explore. Enter salt and pepper diamonds, a distinct category of gemstones distinguished by their obvious inclusions. But what are salt and pepper diamonds and why are they gaining popularity as an alternative to a traditional diamond?
What Are Salt and Pepper Diamonds?
Salt and pepper diamonds are named for their speckled appearance which somewhat resembles a mix of “salt” and “pepper”. These diamonds are characterized by numerous and obvious inclusions. Traditionally, inclusions are undesirable in a classic diamond but for a salt and pepper diamond they are very much desired. These inclusions, often black or white, “pepper” the diamond’s surface.
What are the Inclusions in Salt and Pepper Diamonds?
The inclusions that can been seen within a salt and pepper diamond are the same sorts of inclusions that could potentially be found in a classic diamond. It’s just that in a salt and pepper diamond they are visible to the naked eye. Inclusions can be made of various materials, including other minerals, crystals, or even small particles of diamond material itself. Below we go through some inclusions that can be found in diamonds.
Crystals
These are small mineral crystals trapped within the diamond during its formation. They can appear as tiny spots or specks inside the diamond.
Feathers
Feathers are fractures within the diamond that resemble tiny feathers or cracks. They can vary in size and visibility.
Clouds
Clouds are clusters of tiny pinpoints or crystals within the diamond. When clustered together, they may create a cloudy appearance within the stone.
Needles
Needle-like inclusions are long, thin crystals that resemble needles. They can vary in color and size.
Indented Naturals
These are parts of the original diamond crystal that remain embedded within the finished diamond. They can appear as small, flat areas on the diamond’s surface.
Internal Graining
Internal graining is caused by irregularities in the diamond’s crystal structure during its formation. It can appear as lines, streaks, or patterns within the diamond.
More Salt or More Pepper?
Each salt and pepper diamond is unique. They are also quite variable in appearance. Some salt and pepper diamonds can be almost black with inclusions and others quite transparent but with a few flecks of pepper. The inclusions can also be quite evenly distributed so that from a distance the diamond actually looks grey.
In these two rings from our shop below we can see the variation we discussed above clearly in the center diamonds. We can also see that the inclusions in the salt and pepper diamonds in the halo are distributed evenly so appear grey.
The Increasing Popularity of Salt and Pepper Diamonds
While salt and pepper diamonds were once thought to be undesirable and unsuitable for the consumer market, there has been a noticeable shift in perception in recent years. As consumers seek alternatives to conventional gemstones, salt and pepper diamonds have received attention from those who appreciate individuality and a bit of character.
Not just Black and White
If you’re looking for a salt and pepper diamond with a pop of colour, you’re in luck. While most salt and pepper diamonds will have a greyscale palette, they are also available in different colours. Hues in the yellow to brown scale will be most common.
Cutting Salt and Pepper Diamonds
Salt and pepper diamonds are not confined to traditional shapes or cuts. We have seen every shape of salt and pepper diamond from the traditional round to very geometric shapes such as hexagon and kite shapes. They can be facetted with a brilliant cut or also the more vintage-inspired rose cut is popular too. We’ve even seen some portrait cut salt and pepper diamonds that are definitely unusual.
Ready to Spice Up your Jewellery?
The popularity of salt and pepper diamonds lies not only in their obvious beauty but also in their obvious quirks. That’s what makes them interesting and unique. Just like it’s our quirks that make people interesting too. If you’d like to see an online catalogue of salt and pepper diamonds we recommend one of our suppliers, Misfit Diamonds.
We hope that we’ve answered your questions here but please do get in touch if you have any other questions or would like to see some salt and pepper diamonds in person. We’d love to help!
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