What are Salt and Pepper Diamonds?

The Ondine engagement ring, set with a round salt and pepper diamond.

Over the past few years salt and pepper diamonds have grown in popularity, they are now one of the gemstones I work with most often, and some are the centrepiece in some of my most popular engagement rings. But what are they and what gives them such a unique beauty?

How Do Salt and Pepper Diamonds Differ From White Diamonds?

Salt and Pepper diamonds are formed like any other diamond, deep in the earths mantle. During this process extreme pressure and heat can cause small internal flaws in the diamonds known as inclusions, and the presence of minerals, gases or radiation can add colour to the stones.
High quality white diamonds which are traditionally the most sought after have an absence of any colour, and very few small inclusions. To learn more about what makes white diamonds so special and how they are graded view my guide to the 4Cs.

However more and more of us are now drawn to unique stones, whose inclusions crackles and colour variations should be celebrated for their beauty rather than seen only as imperfections.

How Did they Get Their Name?

Salt and Pepper diamonds are named because of highly visible white (salt) and black (pepper) inclusions, no two stones will have the same unique markings. There is a huge variety to the patterns, from speckled to swirling cloud like formations.
Because of all these inclusions they don’t have the bright sparkle of a white diamond, and this contrast means the two styles compliment one another when worn side by side, for instance two smaller white diamonds either side of a larger salt and pepper..

What Do they Cost?

Nicknames such as salt and pepper, rustic, natural and rough are applied to diamonds that contain a high proportion of one of a kind natural flaws, with colours ranging from light grey to dusky pink to terracotta reds. As they are not as rare as the traditional white diamonds these heavily included stones are more affordable, so you can choose a bigger stone for your budget. As I describe in the blog post about grading white diamonds there are many different factors that effect a white diamonds value, Salt and pepper diamonds are not graded on colour in the same way, but the skill with which the stone has been cut does effect price. So its impossible to give a direct comparison. However for designs with larger “statement” stones, top quality white diamonds can cost tens of thousands of pounds. A Rustic diamond whilst still valuable can be a fraction of this total.

I would always advise choosing a gemstone for qualities such as colour and shape, rather than placing more importance on size alone

Alternative Engagement Rings

The growing popularity of alternative salt and pepper diamond engagement rings represents a new interpretation of love and beauty. One that places more value on individual and unique qualities. Making them the (Im)perfect symbol of a modern romance.