Men's Black Diamond Chains

Style: black diamond bead chain, or a black diamond tennis chain in gold

Two strands are made of black diamond beads. The bead chain is 2 mm, with 18, 20, 22 or 24 inches to pick from on its menu, and it names stainless steel as its metal. The Midnight Elegance necklace strings 4 mm beads to 26 inches, 87.75 carats in all, and its listing names no metal, so ask the desk. The two strands sold 128 of the 139 pieces bought in the year.

For a slim line of black stones in gold, there are two 14K chains. The black diamond chain seats each stone in its own prong basket along a 3.6 mm row, the way a tennis chain is built. The black diamond necklace links oval black stones one after another, 3 mm wide at 18 inches. Each comes in yellow, white or rose. White stones in a row are on tennis chains.

The stones: black diamonds mined or lab-grown, natural or treated color, and AAA

Black diamonds are true diamonds whose color comes from dark inclusions, chiefly graphite, or from heat or irradiation applied to a cloudy stone; light cannot pass through them, so they shine at the surface instead of sparkling.

Seven of the 8 chains list Natural as the origin, the word for a mined stone as against a lab-grown one. The skull and cross chain's description says natural too. None of the 8 says whether the black is the stone's own or the result of a treatment, so have the desk answer that before you buy. Six print AAA in their details, a trade grade for an even black and good polish rather than a gem lab report; the rosary prints SI1 for its canary and black stones.

The Midnight Monumental cross chain mixes white and black: 19.55 carats of lab-grown white diamonds, E-F color and VS clarity, with 12.31 carats of black stones whose origin its listing leaves blank.

Length: where a black diamond chain sits, 18 to 36 inches

Only the bead chain lets you choose a length. The others list one: 18 inches on the skull and cross and the oval necklace, 22 on the cross chain, 26 on the bead necklace and the moon cut chain, and 36 on the rosary. The 14K prong-set chain's menu shows 24 inches; confirm the length with the desk before you order.

On an average man's neck, 20 inches falls just below the collarbone, and every 2 inches more lowers the chain about an inch. Our men's chain length guide shows where each length lands.

Metal: 14K or 10K gold, sterling silver or steel for a black diamond chain

Five of the 8 are gold, two 14K and three 10K, and all five offer yellow, white or rose. The skull and cross chain is .925 silver, 12 mm wide and 158.30 grams. The 10K three are the heavy gold pieces: the cross chain at 14.3 mm and 105 grams, the moon cut chain with custom photo frames, as its title reads, at 67.37 grams, and the rosary at 36 inches and 53.60 grams.

Our appraisal travels with a gold chain sent to a US address, listing its carat and gram weights and the color of its stones; orders abroad get it digitally. For white diamonds, see men's diamond chains.

Buying: returns, custom pieces and questions for the desk

A chain taken from the case may be sent back unworn and unaltered within 14 calendar days of its arrival. Have the desk clear it first; the chain travels on the insured label we issue, and the refund keeps back 5 percent for restocking plus that label's cost (refund policy).

Custom work is final, and the photo frame moon cut chain is custom by its title. A length made to order for you is final too. For any chain here, ask the live chat which of these yours is; a person answers from 10 AM ET, by phone or text on 212-872-9692.