Engagement Rings & Weddings
The Black Diamond Engagement Ring
Is the Epitome of
Edgy Elegance
The black diamond engagement ring is the perfect
choice for the nonconformist bride-to-be.
June 27, 2025
Written by: Hannah Militano
Black diamond engagement rings stand out as the best choice for the bride-to-be who wants to steer clear of the traditional track. Your engagement ring should showcase your personal style, and the black diamond emits a perfectly mysterious and dark romantic allure that stands out from the crowd. When Mr. Big presented Carrie Bradshaw with a black diamond ring in Sex and the City 2, he explained his reasoning for choosing the dark diamond, saying, “Because you’re not like anyone else.” Break from the status quo and learn more about the edgy elegance only a black diamond engagement ring can provide.
Meet the Expert
- Grant Mobley is the Jewelry & Watch Editor of Only Natural Diamonds.
- He is a GIA Diamonds Graduate.
- He has over 17 years of jewelry industry experience, starting with growing up in his family’s retail jewelry stores.
What Is a Black Diamond?
Natural black diamonds are incredibly rare and possess a deep, captivating luster. According to GIA, most naturally colored black diamonds get their color from large quantities or clouds of minute mineral inclusions such as graphite, pyrite, or hematite that extend throughout the stone. Natural black diamonds belong to the same family as colorless diamonds but absorb light instead of reflecting it, which creates their velvety, opaque finish.
Most black diamonds on the market have undergone treatment to achieve their deep, opaque color. These diamonds often start as heavily included gray stones and are subjected to a high-temperature, low-pressure process that causes the internal fractures to darken, resulting in their signature black appearance.
Natural vs. Treated Black Diamonds
According to diamond expert Grant Mobley, “Not all black diamonds are created equal. While both natural and treated black diamonds are real, only natural fancy black diamonds owe their color entirely to nature.” He says, “These extremely rare stones are discovered in their striking black hue and never require enhancement. Treated black diamonds, on the other hand, begin as lower-quality colorless or included stones that are artificially darkened through high-temperature treatments, a process that gives them their black appearance but none of the natural allure or long-term value because they can always be distinguished. If you’re after rarity and authenticity, a naturally black diamond is the real prize.”
Unlike other colored diamonds that derive their hues from trace elements like nitrogen or boron, black diamonds obtain their unique appearance from an abundance of graphite inclusions. “If there are enough of these pitch-black internal features, combined with the stone’s unique atomic structure, it creates a rich, opaque surface. Rather than exhibiting a range of color intensities like most colored diamonds, black diamonds come in just one intensity: Fancy Black,” Mobley explains. “It’s this bold and uniform depth that gives them such a dramatic and compelling presence.”
What Does a Black Diamond Engagement Ring Symbolize?
The symbolism of black diamond engagement rings is rich and meaningful. Often associated with strength, resilience, and protection, these rare gemstones represent an unbreakable bond—perfect for a love that stands the test of time. Their bold beauty and unique significance make them more than just a statement piece.
Black diamond engagement rings are a lasting reminder of a relationship built on passion, endurance, and unwavering commitment. It’s the perfect, unique choice for those who want a non-traditional diamond that stands out. Characters like Carrie Bradshaw and stars like Gabbriette Bechtal, Kat Von D, Carmen Electra and nore have embraced the edgy appeal of black diamond engagement rings.
Gabbriette Bechtal Received a Black Diamond Engagement Ring from Matty Healy
The 1975 frontman Matty Healy proposed to model Gabbriette Bechtel with a bespoke black diamond engagement ring surrounded by a pavé diamond halo in 2024. Bechtel posted the news to Instagram with the caption, “MARRYING THE 1975 IS VERY BRAT,” after attending a Charli XCX concert. Healy’s mother, Denise Welch, later confirmed the engagement on her UK show Loose Women, explaining that her son had the ring made custom for his soon-to-be-bride. She said, “Black diamond; he had it made for her. I couldn’t be more thrilled. We couldn’t be happier — she is everything I would want in a daughter-in-law. I’m thrilled.”
Carrie Bradshaw’s Black Diamond Ring from Mr. Big
In the 2010 Sex and the City cinematic sequel, Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big are already married (after that disastrous first attempt in the first film). After a fight, Big gifts Carrie a long-overdue 5-carat natural black diamond ring in a final scene of the movie. When she asks him, “Why’d you get a black diamond?” Big replies, “Because you’re not like anyone else.” To which she joked, “That’s a relief. I thought you were gonna say it’s the color of my soul.”
While production was on the hunt for black diamond rings, jewelry designer Itay Malkin anonymously submitted two options for consideration. Sarah Jessica Parker and writer/director, Michael Patrick King chose his design out of over 20 other big-time jewelry designers. Malkin worked in collaboration with Parker and Patricia Field, on the final design. The 5-carat round-cut black diamond was set in 18-karat white gold hidden halo surrounded by 78 round natural white pavé diamonds equaling 0.43 carats. Will the legendary engagement ring make an appearance in And Just Like That…? We couldn’t help but wonder.
“Because you’re not like anyone else.”
Kat Von D, Carmen Electra and More Embrace the Edgy Appeal of Black Diamond Engagement Rings
Carmen Electra received a black diamond engagement ring from Rob Patterson in 2008. Kat Von D was given one from Canadian DJ deadmau5 in 2012. One year later, singer Josh Beech proposed to Shenae Grimes of Degrassi and 90210 fame, with a black diamond engagement ring. David Arquette hopped on the black diamond bandwagon when he proposed to Christina McLarty in 2014.
How to Shop for a Natural Black Diamond Engagement Ring
When shopping for a natural black diamond engagement ring, make sure to ask if the diamond is natural or color treated. Consider the stone’s color uniformity, the integrity of the diamond, and which diamond cuts your future fiancé prefers.
Diamond certification is essential because it provides you with the assurance that the diamond you are buying meets specific quality criteria. Without certification, it can be difficult to know the specifics of diamond’s quality as well as whether it is natural or laboratory grown (also known as lab grown or synthetic), as many diamonds may appear similar to the untrained eye. Certification offers peace of mind, especially when it comes to purchasing a valuable and long-term investment like a diamond.
Trusted vintage curators like Fred Leighton, the colored diamond specialists at Leibish, and designers like Anna Sheffield won’t lead you astray in your search for the perfect black diamond engagement ring.
Shop Black Diamond Engagement Ring Styles We Love
Fred Leighton Cushion Black Diamond and Diamond Ring, $26,000, fredleighton.com
Monique Lhuillier Bliss Emerald-Cut Black & White Diamond Engagement Ring, $2,999, kay.com
Jared Jewelers Pnina Tornai Black Diamond Engagement Ring, $2,800, jared.com
Jared Jewelers Black Diamond Engagement Ring, $839, jared.com
Anna Sheffield THEDA HEX RING Yellow Gold & Black Diamond & White Diamond, Price Upon Request, annasheffield.com
Catbird Mathilde the Swan Black Diamond Ring, $3,200, catbirdnyc.com
Leibish Natural Fancy Black Round Diamond Solitaire Ring, $4,050, leibish.com
Melissa Kaye LENOX ETERNITY BAND TRIPLE (Black Diamond), $7,950, melissakayejewelry.com
Mociun Collection Black Diamond Cluster Orion Ring, $2,950, mociun.com
Prounis Black Diamond Roz Ring, $8,200, prounisjewelry.com
Leibish Black Diamond Half-Eternity Band Ring, $1,320, leibish.com
Anna Sheffield ASTARTE RING Platinum & Black Diamond, Price Upon Request, annasheffield.com
Kay Black Diamond Ring, $1,399, kay.com
