Mysterious, classic and chic, whether you consider Black a colour or not, it’s undeniably a staple shade that creates drama and intrigue in everyone’s wardrobe. From little black dresses to monochromatic makeup trends, at Wakefields we think that the colour Black doesn’t always receive the respect it truly deserves. When it comes to jewellery, black gemstones and designs tend to lurk in the shadows in comparison to the array of brightly coloured gems and sparkling, allure of diamonds, but when it comes to purchasing eternal and enduring jewellery, everyone should take a moment to consider the shade.

Incredibly versatile, Black can be paired with almost any colour on the spectrum and is guaranteed to hold its own. Associated with quiet confidence and self-assurance, the colour commands attention in a subtle, non-obtrusive manner. If worn correctly, the colour can create incredible, dramatic silhouettes – if you’re not a fan of intense colour-blocking though, you can always outline and define your ensembles through the use of black accessories such as black gemstone rings and bracelets. Accents of the shade will not only pull your look together, creating a truly polished finish, but will also allow you to choose the areas you wish people’s eyes to be drawn to.

Black Gemstones:

Though traditionally speaking, there’s an incredible buzz surrounding the discovery of brightly coloured gemstones, Black stones are equally as desirable. There’s a whole array of gemstones which occur naturally across the globe in the dark and demure shade, so we’ve compiled a list of our personal favourites which look simply divine when set in intricate jewellery designs.

Tahitian Black Pearls:    
   If I begin to write the words ‘black pearl,’ I’m sure most of you will cast your minds back to the name of the ship in the Pirates of the Caribbean films,  however many people aren’t at all familiar with the existence of actual, black pearls. Born in the crystal blue lagoons of the South Pacific, Tahitian Black Pearls are considered to be one of the rarest gems on earth. Though their name suggests they are solely found in shades of black, the pearls have an incredible lustre and sheen to them and their iridescence can appear as shades of green, silver, blue, cranberry and even peachy tones – absolutely stunning, their shimmering and exotic aesthetic can make rare Black Pearls the ultimate gift of love and romance.

 

Black Sapphire:    
   Although Sapphires are most popular in shades of blue, they are also discovered in the colour black. Their incredibly durable quality (ranking at a 9 on Mohs scale of hardness, second only to Diamonds) and beautiful, mysterious appearance make them wonderful additions in everyday jewellery. Said to not only provide protection, encourage good fortune and calm a chaotic mind, Black Sapphires are used as symbols of power and strength as well as kindness and wise judgement. Set amongst diamonds, Black Sapphires can provide a brilliant contrast and harmonious aesthetic.

 

Black Opal:    
   Most commonly found in New South Wales, though there are other sources around the world, including Ethiopia, no other origin or source can rival the exquisite quality and colouration of Australia’s black opals. According to Aboriginal legend, the Creator came to earth from the heavens on a rainbow and delivered a message of peace, where his feet touched the ground, the stones light up and began to sparkle with fantastic colour – this was believed to be the birth of the opal stone. The official birthstone of the month October, opals are said to carry good, strong karma and provide protection to their wearers. Ranking at only a 5-6 on Mohs scale of hardness, Opals need a lot of care and protection as they are prone to scratching easily. Many people don’t know that 21% of an opal’s weight water, this means that if exposed to sudden fluctuations in temperature, they are prone to cracking and dehydrating – extreme care should be taken when storing your opals to avoid this from happening. Though a beautiful and lustrous stone, that makes a wonderful statement in any piece of jewellery, it’s best to know a little about how to care for an opal before making your purchase to ensure it maintains its beauty.

 

Onyx:    
   Both the official birthstone for the month of December and the zodiac sign of Leo, Onyx is a chalcedony quartz which occurs naturally in Brazil, India, California and Uruguay. Typically the stone has a fine texture and rich black colour, although variations have been mined with white bands against a black or brown background. The name ‘Onyx’ takes its name from the Greek word meaning finger or claw, according to legend, Venus was sleeping Eros cut her fingernails and let them scattered on the ground – no part of a heavenly body can die, so the gods turned them into stone which was later known as Onyx. A durable and hard stone, Onyx lends itself well to being carved and placed in jewellery and it’s said that the stone will help to clear a troubled mind and protect you against negative emotions.

 

Obsidian:    
   Formed at the feet of active volcanoes, Obsidian is an igneous stone that forms when molten rock cools rapidly. This cooling happens so quickly that crystals do not have a chance to form, which in turn gives Obsidian a glass-like smooth, uniform aesthetic – the stone has often been referred to as ‘nature’s glass’ because of it’s incredibly reflective appearance. Many people say that Obsidian is an incredibly, powerful and protective stone that will act as a shield against negative energies. Because of its glass-like formations, it makes for a beautiful addition to jewellery for those who like black rings, pendants and bracelets.

 

Black Spinel:    
   Considered the greatest imposter in gemstone history, the rich and regal gem naturally occurs in a range of colours from pale pink to dark black – the most famous colour that spinel is famous for is red, and many famous rubies in crown jewels across the globe are actually Spinels! Now a precious treasure in their own right, the use of Spinels in jewellery is highly prevalent and the Black Spinel is actually one of the rarest colourations of the stone. Synonymous with love, the gemstone is said to evoke passion and increase the duration of one’s life whilst also providing a protective barrier which is said to resolve issues and ease sadness. The gemstone’s fantastic durability means it can be faceted with ease and set in wonderful bracelets and earrings, to provide beautiful, black detailing.

 

Jet:    
   You’re probably familiar with the term ‘jet black’ but may not know much about the actual stone, Jet. Formed from fossilised driftwood, which is actually visible in the stone when it’s exposed to a high magnification, in England the Jet that is mined is said to have come from the Jurassic era approximately 180 million years ago. Popularised by Queen Victoria through her mourning jewellery, the Victorian period saw the rise of the use of jet in the jewellery world – though a soft, dull stone, when polished it’s able to achieve a mesmerising mirror finish. Often traditionally used in rosaries and talismans, the stone lends itself well to being carved, making it incredibly versatile indeed.

 

Classic, strong and eternal, a piece of jewellery that features any of the stones above, whether it be a black ring, black earrings or pendant makes a beautiful gift for yourself or a loved one. The versatile and muted hue is easily transferable between day and occasion wear, meaning purchasing black gemstone jewellery is a sound investment that will never go out of style – you’re guaranteed to wear the mysterious colour time, and time again.

In order to highlight the fantastic, captivating and striking selection of jewellery we have available at Wakefields we’ve selected a small assortment of our favourite gemstone studded pieces:

Ladies Rings:

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left to right:

1.  Thomas Sabo Silver & Black Zirconia Endless Ring

2. Thomas Sabo Glam & Soul Onyx and Black CZ Ring

3. Thomas Sabo Ladies Silver & Black Zirconia Cluster Ring

4. Thomas Sabo Silver Black Onyx & Zirconia Cocktail Ring

5. Thomas Sabo Silver & Black Pavé Zirconia Ring

6. Shaun Leane Silver Black Pearl & Spinel Black Thorn Ring

7. Thomas Sabo Silver & Black Cubic Zirconia 3 Row Ring

8. Thomas Sabo Silver Black Cubic Zirconia Snake Ring

9. Thomas Sabo Black Onyx & Zirconia Purity Of Love Ring

 

Ladies Earrings:

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left to right:

1. Links of London Silver Effervescence Pearl Drop Earrings

2. Jersey Pearl Emma Kate Filigree Peacock Pearl Stud Earrings

3. Links of London Silver Effervescence Grey Pearl Stud Earrings

4. 18ct White Gold Black & White Diamond Stripe Drop Earrings

5. Shaun Leane Silver Black Pearl & Spinel Double Leaf Earrings

6. Shaun Leane Silver & Black Spinel Hook Earrings

7. Shaun Leane Silver Black Pearl & Spinel Thorn Stud Earrings

8. Thomas Sabo Silver Black Zirconia & Onyx Zig Zag Earrings

9. Thomas Sabo Silver Black Zirconia Onyx Lotos Hook Earrings