10 Black Diamond Engagement Rings That Are Seriously Trendy

The most unique black diamond engagement rings pair a natural black center with a setting you don't see every day: a three stone, a hidden halo, an art deco frame, or a white or black center ringed with black diamond accents. Below are 10 of ours, from a 3 carat oval solitaire to a 6.9 carat art deco emerald cut, with the real specs of each, and what to look for when you choose.

Even Wednesday Addams would approve. Black diamond engagement rings have been in the spotlight since Mr. Big proposed to Carrie Bradshaw with one in Sex and the City 2 (2010), and they have stayed for those who want a ring that looks like them, not like a tradition. Every black diamond here is a natural, earth-mined diamond whose color is enhanced, as the certificate that comes with the ring states (what color enhancement means).

What makes a black diamond engagement ring unique?

Three things: the cut (a pear, marquise or emerald cut in black looks very different from a round), the setting (three stones, a hidden halo or art deco details), and contrast (white diamonds or a lab-grown white center next to black). The black stone shows its shape more sharply than a white one, because you see its outline and polished facets rather than light coming through it.

10 black diamond engagement rings worth a look

1. Arkana: three stone cushion

A 5.14 carat cushion cut black diamond between round white side diamonds (0.46 carats), 5.6 carats in total, in 14K yellow gold. Three stones are often read as past, present and future.

2. Gravastar: round black diamond

A 4.67 carat round black diamond with 0.47 carats of round white accent diamonds, 5.14 carats in total, in yellow, rose or white gold.

3. Boötes: oval solitaire

A 3 carat oval black diamond with small round white accents (0.1 carats), 3.1 carats in total, in yellow, rose or white gold. The classic solitaire shape, made unexpected by the color.

4. Univers's Eye: art deco marquise

A 2 carat marquise black diamond in an art deco setting with 0.1 carats of round white accents, 2.1 carats in total, in rose, yellow or white gold.

5. Forbidden Fruit: hidden halo pear

A 3 carat pear shaped black diamond with a hidden halo of round white diamonds (0.49 carats) under the stone, about 3.5 carats in total, in yellow, rose or white gold.

6. Shadowscape: three stone cushion

A 3.6 carat cushion cut black diamond flanked by two white cushion cut diamonds (0.40 carats, E/VS), 4 carats in total, in yellow, rose or white gold.

7. Black Magic: double hidden halo, black and white

A 2.24 carat cushion cut black diamond with a double hidden halo and three-sided band of round black and white diamonds (1.2 carats), 3.44 carats in total, in rose, white or yellow gold.

8. Pale Darkness: black oval, white accents

A 5.5 carat oval black diamond with 0.55 carats of round white diamonds (F/VS), 6.05 carats in total, in rose, white or yellow gold.

9. Arafel: art deco emerald cut

A 6.9 carat emerald cut black diamond with black and white baguette and round accents (0.70 carats), 7.6 carats in total, in rose, white or yellow gold. The largest center on this list.

10. Blanchett: white center, black diamond accents

The reverse look: a 2 carat white cushion cut center, which is a lab-grown diamond (F color), as the listing states, framed by 1.2 carats of round black and white diamonds, 3.2 carats in total, in rose, yellow or white gold.

What are black diamond accent engagement rings?

An accent ring keeps the black for the details: small black diamonds in a halo, on the band or beside the center, so the ring reads as black and white rather than all black. On this list, Blanchett (white center, black and white halo), Black Magic (black center, black and white halo and band) and Arafel (black and white baguettes) work this way. See more in black and white diamond rings and black diamond halo engagement rings.

How do you choose the best black diamond engagement ring?

• Protection first. A black diamond is a diamond, 10 on the Mohs scale, but black diamonds tend to carry many inclusions, and any diamond can chip on a hard knock. Prongs over the points of a pear or marquise, a bezel, or a halo protect the edges for daily wear.
• Size reads larger in black. You see the whole outline of an opaque stone, so a black diamond looks bold at a smaller carat weight than you might expect.
• Gold sets the mood. Rose and yellow gold warm the black; white gold makes it cool and graphic.
• Ask what the certificate says. A good seller states whether the black color is natural or enhanced.

For the full buying guide, read black diamond engagement rings: the guide, and for budgets, how much a black diamond ring costs. Browse every shape in black diamond engagement rings for women. Each ring is made to order: production takes 10-14 business days, plus shipping.

Black diamond engagement rings: FAQ

What is the most unique black diamond engagement ring style?

Less common shapes and settings stand out most: a pear or marquise black diamond in a hidden halo, an art deco emerald cut, a three stone ring, or a white center with black diamond accents.

Are black diamond engagement rings a good idea?

Yes, with a protective setting. A black diamond resists scratches like any diamond, but its inclusions mean a hard knock can chip it, so choose prongs, a bezel or a halo that guard the edges.

What is a black diamond accent engagement ring?

A ring where small black diamonds are used as accents, in a halo, on the band or beside the center stone, often around a white diamond, so the ring reads black and white.

Are the black diamonds in these rings natural?

Yes. They are natural, earth-mined diamonds whose color is enhanced with heat and pressure, as the certificate that comes with each ring states.

Which gold looks best with a black diamond?

All three work. Rose and yellow gold give black a warm, vintage feel; white gold gives a cool, modern contrast.

How long does it take to make a black diamond engagement ring?

Each of our rings is made to order. Production takes 10-14 business days, plus shipping.