What Are Salt & Pepper Diamonds? Everything You Need Know & 23 Engagement Ring Styles
Salt and pepper diamond engagement rings are a stunning alternative to traditional white stones. Find the perfect pick to propose with in our ultimate guide!
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Salt and pepper diamond engagement rings have become an increasingly popular choice as couples look to steer away from tradition and pick more unusual proposal pieces. More over, these quirky stones are typically more affordable than classic diamonds so whether you're choosing a ring for yourself, or are on the hunt for a unique engagement ring to pop the question with, our edit of the best salt and pepper diamond engagement rings can cater to all budgets.
Carrie Dennahy, founder of Carrie Elizabeth Jewellery, recognises this growing trend: "White diamonds have been the stone of choice for so many years, but salt and pepper offer something much more unique to the bride or groom. They are wildly sparkly and come in the most incredible range of grey tones, which are equally as wearable as white - but arguably even more mesmerising."
Not sure what a salt and pepper diamond actually is? Check out Carrie's expert insight into this growing trend and how these gorgeous gems are formed below!
23 of the Best Salt and Pepper Diamond Engagement Rings
1. Salt & Pepper Imogen Salt & Pepper Diamond Ring - £950, Carrie Elizabeth Jewellery
Carrie Elizabeth Jewellery has a wide selection of salt and pepper accessories and one of our favourites is this oval ring. Crafted from 9K solid yellow gold, it's a steal at just £950!
2. Salt & Pepper Diamond Engagement Ring in Rose Gold - from £799, Aardvark Jewellery
This art deco style engagement ring from Aardvark Jewellery has been given a contemporary update in the form of a rose gold mount. The central salt and pepper diamond is flanked by smaller white diamonds for a sparkling finish.
3. Oval Salt and Pepper Diamond Trefoil Engagement Ring - £3,000, Sophia Perez
A dark salt and pepper diamond creates a fabulously moody effect and really stands out from the crowd. As well as platinum, this ring from Sophia Perez is available in 18ct yellow, rose or white gold.
5. Twiggy Ring Salt and Pepper Rose Cut Natural Diamond Ring - £445, Caroline Brook Jewellery
This truly unique engagement ring from Caroline Brook Jewellery has been cast in sterling silver from a real woodland twig and nestled between the sprigs are two 18ct gold berries - how adorable!
6. Aria Salt & Pepper Diamond Ring - from £1,200, Carrie Elizabeth Jewellery
Glamourous couples will adore Carrie Elizabeth's salt and pepper diamond engagement ring - the centre gem is hugged with glittering white diamonds so it'll look sensational from all angles.
The Kana ring by Michelle Oh features a kite shaped salt and pepper diamond which hides a perimeter of tiny blue sapphires. This luxurious detail adds a really special touch to this sentimental piece of jewellery.
7. Salt and Pepper Diamond Engagement Solitaire Ring - from £1,399, Aardvark Jewellery
We're obsessed with engagement rings that are inspired by nature as they often have delicate and ornate detailing. Take this ring from Aardvark Jewellery - it has pretty leaves dotted with white diamonds that lead to a floral bud salt and pepper diamond.
8. Salt and Pepper Diamond Engagement Ring - from £1,900, The Great Frog
Alternative couples - this one's for you! Part of The Great Frog's Forever After wedding collection, this salt and pepper diamond is flanked by two kudu skulls.
9. Winter Pear Salt & Pepper Diamond Halo Ring in Yellow Gold - £1,950, Jessica Flinn Jewellery
For those looking for a little extra sparkle, a halo design is a great choice. Aptly named 'Winter', this ring from Jessica Flinn Jewellery would be ideal for a Christmas proposal - it looks like a twinkling snowflake!
10. Jessica Salt & Pepper Diamond Engagement Ring - £4,180 E.C. One The Jewellers
Handcrafted in recycled platinum, the Jessica ring is simple and sophisticated. The dark salt and pepper diamond is the star of the show, complemented perfectly by tapered baguette cut diamonds.
11. Five Stone Octagonal Diamond Ring - from £3,000, Michelle Oh at The Cut; London
The gradient of darker salt and pepper diamonds to crisp white diamonds on this Michelle Oh creation is simply stunning, as well as the subtle octagonal shaping.
13. Kite Salt & Pepper Diamond Ring - £2,000, Sophia Perez
Handmade in Sophia Perez's London studio, this salt and pepper diamond engagement ring reminds us of a stormy night with a flash of sparkling gold lightening. It'll make a statement when worn and is bound to garner lots of compliments.
Elegantly crafted in 18ct rose gold, Ruberg's Ada V ring showcases a gorgeous brilliant cut salt and pepper diamond and a natural dusty pink pear shape diamond. Worn alone or framed with a curved wedding band, it is sleek and oh-so chic. It has echoes of Megan Fox's super unusual celebrity engagement ring too.
16. Clara Milgrain Salt and Pepper Diamond Engagement Ring - £2,500, E.C. One The Jewellers
If you love the idea of a vintage engagement ring, the Clara ring has a lovely milgrain finish giving it a classically vintage feel. The little clusters of white diamonds flanking the pear cut salt and pepper diamond are really elegant.
17. Aria Salt & Pepper Diamond Ring - from £1,200, Carrie Elizabeth Jewellery
This incredible engagement ring from Carrie Elizabeth Jewellery is truly breathtaking. If you pop it out during your proposal, you're going to have one very happy partner...
18. Salt & Pepper Oval Diamond Engagement Ring - £6,459.51, Point No Point Studio
Love the oval engagement ring trend? This mesmerising ring is set in a low profile with an open back basket setting to allow light to shine through the salt and pepper diamond. So dreamy!
19. Salt and Pepper Diamond Cluster Engagement Ring - from £949, Aardvark Jewellery
For a stylish design, you can't beat this brilliantly bright engagement ring from Aardvark Jewellery. The white diamond clusters and rose gold band really help the main salt and pepper stone stand out.
20. Ophelia Hexagon Salt & Pepper Diamond Rose Gold Engagement Ring - £2,490, Jessica Flinn Jewellery
Ophelia is unlike any engagement ring we've seen before which makes it a really unique choice. We're obsessed with the geometric shapes that give it a stylish art deco feel.
21. Sylvie Salt and Pepper Diamond Engagement Ring - £942, Anvil & Ivy Jewellery at Not On The High Street
The Sylvie ring has been designed with salt and pepper diamonds that have been set using a 'rub over' technique providing greater durability - perfect for everyday wear.
22. Stars in the Sky Diamond Eternity Ring - £2,289, Chupi
What's better than one salt and pepper diamond? Five, of course! Chupi's Stars in the Sky ring is a really romantic choice and one that would suit all kinds of couples if you aren't too sure of your partner's jewellery preference.
23. Salt & Pepper Shield Diamond Engagement Ring - £2,364.66, Point No Point Studio
Last, but definitely not least is this fabulous shield shaped engagement ring from Point No Point Studio. All diamonds are conflict free and the gold is recycled making it ideal for eco-conscious couples.
What is a Salt and Pepper Diamond Engagement Ring?
Inclusions are small imperfections found within the structure of a diamond which determine its clarity and the distinctive salt and pepper pattern is created by these inclusions.
"Nearly all diamonds have some kind of inclusion, but they’re often so tiny that they can’t be seen by the naked eye. With salt and pepper diamonds, they are large and visible and transform the diamond’s overall appearance in a unique and beautiful way. Some will have more inclusions than others which creates a really strong speckled appearance and other types might have beautiful imperfections such as wisps, clouds or even tiny cracks inside the diamond. In our collection we have dark and moody stones and then lighter, softer ones with just a few tiny specks, while others can look almost completely grey. The beauty of salt and pepper diamonds truly is that no two are the same," says Carrie Dennahy, founder of Carrie Elizabeth Jewellery.
Are Salt and Pepper Diamonds More Expensive?
As well as saving you a pretty penny, salt and pepper diamonds are also better for the planet - "Not only are they insanely beautiful, but salt and pepper diamonds are usually less expensive than white diamonds and far more eco-friendly than white diamonds. They take less resources and time to mine, which means they have less environmental impact - double win!" reveals Carrie.
What Do Salt and Pepper Diamonds Symbolise?
Salt and pepper diamonds symbolise the beauty behind imperfection. Like your partner, no diamond is perfect and a salt and pepper diamond engagement ring reminds you to look past flaws and focus on love.
For an even more unusual take on a traditional white diamond ring, take a look at these gorgeous black diamond engagement rings.
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