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Black diamond engagement rings at Segal, from subtle to dramatic

Black diamonds cost less per carat than white ones and look nothing like a typical engagement ring. We ranked Segal's best from the most wearable to the most dramatic.

By The Loupe & Band editors. Updated . Our picks come from Segal's published specs, prices and policies. How we choose

Quick comparison
RingOur takeSale price
Payton No. 38The subtle way into black diamondsVariesView at Segal
Gemma No. 37Same shape, completely different moodVariesView at Segal
Vanessa No. 37The most dramatic ring here$8,849View at Segal
Ximena No. 38A softer take on the black emerald cutVariesView at Segal
Princess Lotus No. 4A flower ring with an edgeVariesView at Segal
Bella No. 9Art Deco meets gardenVariesView at Segal

What a black diamond is like to wear

A white diamond is about light passing through the stone. A black diamond is opaque, so the effect comes from its surface: a glassy, almost metallic lustre and the contrast with white diamonds and gold around it. That's why the setting matters so much. A black stone alone can look flat; framed by a halo or pavé it looks deliberate.

Shape changes the mood too. A round black diamond, like Payton No. 38, is subtle. An emerald-cut black stone, like Vanessa No. 37, has long flat facets that reflect like polished obsidian and read as a real statement. We ordered the list roughly from subtle to bold.

Treatment is the one thing to ask about. Most black diamonds sold today are heat-treated or irradiated for an even colour. That's normal and stable, but you should know what you're paying for.

1. The subtle way into black diamonds

Milgrain Round Black Diamond Engagement Ring – Payton No. 38

A round black diamond on the vintage Payton band. Round is the least dramatic shape for a black stone, so this is a good first step if you aren't sure.

Shape
Round
Centre stone
Black diamond
Metal shown
White gold
Setting
Milgrain, split shank

Why we like it

  • Understated for a black diamond
  • Vintage texture
  • Usually cheaper than white-diamond Paytons

Worth knowing

  • Round black stones show less surface shine than step cuts
  • Treatment disclosure is worth checking

Best for: Someone curious about black diamonds but wary of a statement.

See it at Segal Jewelry

Price depends on stone and metal; see current options on Segal's site.

2. Same shape, completely different mood

Hidden Halo Oval Black Diamond Engagement Ring – Gemma No. 37

The Gemma setting with a black diamond centre. The white accent stones around and under it make the dark oval look deliberate rather than gothic.

Shape
Oval
Centre stone
Black diamond
Metal shown
White gold
Setting
Hidden halo

Why we like it

  • Strong contrast that photographs well
  • Black diamonds usually cost far less per carat than white
  • Classic setting keeps it wearable every day

Worth knowing

  • Black diamonds don't sparkle like white ones; the appeal is lustre and contrast
  • Many black diamonds are colour-treated, so ask what you are getting

Best for: Someone who wears a lot of black and silver and dislikes anything too sweet.

See it at Segal Jewelry

Price depends on stone and metal; see current options on Segal's site.

3. The most dramatic ring here

Hidden Halo Emerald Cut Black Diamond Engagement Ring – Vanessa No. 37

Vanessa's geometry with a black emerald-cut centre. The step facets give black diamond a glassy, almost liquid surface that round cuts don't.

Shape
Emerald cut
Centre stone
Black diamond
Metal shown
White gold
Setting
Hidden halo

Why we like it

  • Very distinctive silhouette
  • Contrast of black centre and white pavé
  • Works as a statement ring long after the engagement

Worth knowing

  • Higher price than most black diamond options
  • Bold look; not for someone who prefers understated

Best for: Someone who wants the ring to start conversations.

See it at Segal Jewelry

$8,849$12,641on sale, checked September 24, 2026

4. A softer take on the black emerald cut

Hidden Halo Emerald Cut Black Diamond Engagement Ring – Ximena No. 38

Ximena uses an emerald-cut centre like Vanessa, with its own proportions. In rose gold the black stone reads warmer and less severe.

Shape
Emerald cut
Centre stone
Black diamond
Metal shown
Rose gold
Setting
Hidden halo

Why we like it

  • Rose gold softens the contrast
  • Hidden halo keeps a clean profile
  • Slim band for easy stacking

Worth knowing

  • Fewer reviews online than the Vanessa line
  • Check stone treatment and origin before buying

Best for: Someone torn between romantic and edgy.

See it at Segal Jewelry

Price depends on stone and metal; see current options on Segal's site.

5. A flower ring with an edge

Lotus Black Diamond Engagement Ring – Princess Lotus No. 4

The Princess Lotus setting around a black diamond. The dark centre turns the lotus from sweet to striking.

Shape
Round, in a floral setting
Centre stone
Black diamond
Metal shown
White gold
Setting
Sculpted flower

Why we like it

  • Unusual combination
  • Petals frame the black stone well
  • Lower stone cost than a white diamond

Worth knowing

  • Niche look
  • A curved band is often needed for stacking

Best for: Someone who likes botanical jewellery but not pastel.

See it at Segal Jewelry

Price depends on stone and metal; see current options on Segal's site.

6. Art Deco meets garden

Two Seasons Flower Black Diamond Ring – Bella No. 9

A black diamond centre with white diamonds and gold flowers on the shoulders. It sits somewhere between vintage and botanical.

Shape
Round
Centre stone
Black diamond
Metal shown
White gold
Setting
Sculpted flower

Why we like it

  • Detail on the shoulders shows even when the stone doesn't
  • Black-and-white contrast
  • White gold keeps it crisp

Worth knowing

  • Busy compared to a solitaire
  • Harder to match with a band

Best for: Someone who likes detail everywhere, not just on top.

See it at Segal Jewelry

Price depends on stone and metal; see current options on Segal's site.

Browse the full range at Segal

Questions people ask

Are black diamonds real diamonds?

Yes. They are carbon like white diamonds, and the colour comes from dense inclusions. Most on the market have been heat-treated to even out the colour. Natural untreated black diamonds exist but are rarer. Ask Segal which you are buying.

Are black diamonds durable enough for daily wear?

They are as hard as other diamonds but can be more brittle because of the inclusions that give them colour. A protective setting like a halo or bezel helps.

Why are black diamonds cheaper?

Demand and supply. White diamonds are valued for transparency and colourlessness; black diamonds are valued mainly for their look, so a carat costs a fraction of a comparable white stone.