Spice Up Your Life
Salt and Pepper Diamonds, Rustic Diamonds, and Alternative Diamonds are all names for these flavourful beauties! Here at Misfit we like to think of them as the spice of life! We’ve been getting a ton of questions lately about these uniquely marked beauties and are developing a series of articles to help. With no clearly defined classification or grading system to help navigate purchasing a rustic diamond, buying can at times feel like a daunting task — for both the general public and experts in the industry.
We’ve reached out to a few rock stars who have honed their craft and skills with salt and pepper diamonds for a few of their pointers and insights into their own unique way of selecting rustic diamonds.
Nick @ Honey Jewelry Company
Looking for the perfect stone! I start with basic shape and color desires and then try to stay as open-minded as possible. Each salt and pepper diamond is so individual. I find that if you are able to let go of a preconceived idea of what you "must have" and just let the stones talk to you, it goes better.
Another super important factor for me is the quality of make, or cut. I love salt and pepper diamonds that are well proportioned and cut to maximize beauty, not just to maximize weight. When I am designing for bridal use I feel that the salt and pepper diamonds have to be held to a higher level of quality as it's for one of the most important pieces of jewelry one will ever buy. It needs to feel special no matter the price point.
Lastly, I like to let the stone set the tone and direction for the design of the ring. It's ok to have an idea of what you want for a ring but as we've talked about, I think it's important to spend time with the rustic diamond and feel out its unique characteristics so you know best what to do with it.
Andrea @ Army Of Rokosz
When I am sourcing salt and pepper diamonds, there are so many things I am looking at. Of course, I am all about the overall look, but once I’ve picked out my favorite looking stones they go under magnification and I inspect every single surface of each stone along with their internal structure (so important). All this, before I make a purchase.
Much of a salt and pepper diamond’s beauty is created through its unique inclusions, but I pass on surface reaching inclusions. I also look at where larger inclusions are in relation to how the stone will be set. Internal cracks and cloudiness that can create sought after rainbow prisms, which are great, but where they are in relation to a stone’s surface can be a deal breaker for me. Sometimes the most beautiful looking diamonds are the ones with the most inclusions. I want to do my best to ensure the stones I am purchasing are wearable and durable, but it is also important to remember that all diamonds (salt and pepper or otherwise) are luxury items and should be purchased and cared for as such.
Erin @ Erin Hakin Jewellery
When I’m purchasing salt and pepper diamonds, I'm always looking for the nicest stone possible for my budget. Sometimes this means reaching a little beyond my budget and being comfortable taking that risk if a salt and pepper diamond feels extra special. I am completely unable to make these decisions alone! I like to request the help and experience of my diamond supplier, after all they see diamonds all day every day! I look for beautiful quality and emphasize this in my inquiries. Beautiful quality for me is: lots of sparkle, spots of transparency, inky black carbon inclusions, really nice cutting. Add it all together and you have what I call “show stopper" quality; it gives me heart palpitations. When the salt and pepper diamond arrives in my hands, I like to show it off to my studio mates for sparkle show and tell. I’m always dazzled! It has been really valuable for me to have a source that I trust to converse and do business with salt and pepper diamonds. I rely heavily on the guidance and expertise my sources can offer me in making the right choices with these beautiful alternative diamonds.
Watch for specific articles on topics pertaining to variables that affect rustic diamond pricing, how to purchase salt and pepper diamonds online, and rustic diamond structural integrity. We’ve got it coming down the pipeline for you!
