Beads or set stones first, then gold or silver, then ask whether the black was treated
Choose by how you will wear it, then the metal, then ask about the black. The bead strands and the 14K cross set made up about six in ten pieces bought here in the year. Most pieces here are gold set with small black stones, in yellow, white or rose. Nearly all name a natural origin, which does not settle whether the black was treated, so ask us about yours.
The stone: black diamond, natural or treated color, AAA grade
A black diamond is diamond, crowded with dark inclusions so light cannot pass through, and it shines off its faces rather than sparkling. Most black diamonds in the trade begin as cloudy stones darkened by heat or irradiation. Nearly every listing here names a natural origin, meaning mined, but a mined stone can still be treated, so ask about yours. Six pieces are lab-grown, and their titles say so. AAA is a trade grade for an even black, not a lab report. Two titles name onyx, a softer stone.
Beads or set stones: black diamond bead bracelet, bead chain, cross set
Choose beads or set stones first. A bead is a whole black diamond, drilled and strung, so a slim strand holds many carats on little metal. The bead bracelet and the bead chain sold most here in the year, with the 14K cross set close behind. Both TraxNYC cross sets hang the cross from black diamond beads on steel wire, their descriptions say. Everything else sets small black stones in gold or silver, mostly in prongs. A few mix in white diamonds for contrast, and seven titles say black and white.
Metal: 14K or 10K gold, silver or steel for black diamond jewelry
Go with 14K for everyday wear, the karat on more than half the pieces, with 10K second. Most gold pieces let you pick the color, and white shows the black darkest while yellow warms it. Silver here is .925, and nearly eight in ten rings bought were silver. The bead chain is stainless steel. The bead bracelet reads steel and 14K gold but not where the gold is, so ask us. Black gold, on two titles, is usually a dark plating over gold that thins at the edges with wear.
Sizes and lengths: ring size, chain length, bracelet length
Measure first. Most rings come in a run of sizes, and most of those cover 8 through 10. Fourteen come in one size, so look for yours. A resized ring is final sale. Every pendant set and the bead chain come in 18, 20, 22 or 24 inches. On most men, 20 lands just under the collarbone. Bracelets run 7 to 9 inches. Take your wrist plus about half an inch. The bead bracelet starts at 7, so a smaller wrist is a question for the desk. The rings guide has more on sizing.
Buying: in stock or made for you, custom changes, returns
Ask if your piece ships ready or is made after you order. A different karat, silver for gold, or white stones for black is custom work, quoted first and final sale. Start in the live chat, or call or text 212-872-9692 from 10 AM ET. A piece can come back within fourteen calendar days of delivery if it is unworn and unaltered, once the desk clears it and sends our return label. Five percent restocking and the return shipping come off the refund. Resized rings, lengths made for you and custom pieces stay final.