Ultimate Guide To Black Rings

If you or your partner are considering a black metal ring for a wedding band, it is very important to know some information that applies to all black rings.  

• Black rings cannot be re-sized.
• Broken black rings cannot be repaired.
• Most black rings can’t be cut off in an emergency – they have to be smashed off.

What is Black Titanium? Black Titanium is titanium coated with another substance to make it black (e.g. black rhodium). Similar to Black Gold, the plating is less durable than a solid metal or alloy and has a higher likelihood of chipping, which will result in the natural color of the titanium showing through.

Pros: Affordable.

Cons: Black coating is likely to chip over time, showing the natural color of the titanium below.

What is Black Stainless Steel? In most cases, to create the look of this black metal, regular stainless steel is anodized. Anodizing changes the surface of a metal through an electrochemical process without changing the composition of the metal.

Pros: Very affordable.

Cons: Low durability and scratch resistance.

What is Black Ceramic? Jewelry grade black ceramic is an extremely hard, light weight, non-metallic material that has recently been used extensively in jewelry making. Unlike most other materials used to make black rings, its black color is NOT a coating or plating.

Pros: Scratch resistant. Harder than all metals except solid Tungsten. Won’t corrode or tarnish in salt water or acid. Light weight.

Cons: Limited to use in simple ring designs. Not guaranteed to be shatter-proof if knocked on another harder or equally as hard surface.

What is Black Zirconium? Zirconium, not to be confused with zirconia, is a natural element that has the symbol Zr and the atomic number 40. In its original state, this metal is grayish-white and very similar to Titanium in that it is lightweight, is skin-friendly (no nickel), and is primarily used in nuclear reactors due to its high heat and corrosion resistance. Cool!

In jewelry applications, it is mixed with another metal (usually Hafnium) to create a more pliable, yet still very durable, alloy. After the ring is milled, it is then heated and the exposed portion of the metal oxidizes black, creating a black surface layer and what is aptly named Black Zirconium.

Pros: Extremely lightweight.

Cons: If the ring surface is scratched on a hard enough surface, the original white color may be exposed.

What is Black Tungsten? Black tungsten is made by shooting tiny particles of titanium zirconium alloy, which is black in color, at an extremely high velocity so that the particles embed themselves into the surface of the tungsten ring. This surface alloy gives the black color to a regular tungsten ring.

Pros: Heavy-weight.

Cons: More prone to scratches than regular Tungsten because the outer surface is titanium.

What is Black Gold? If you’re old enough to remember the Clampetts, it’s what they affectionately called oil in the theme song of their show The Beverly Hillbillies. For us in the jewelry world, black gold is simply white gold electroplated with black rhodium.

Pros: Can be re-plated if the surface chips or scratches to expose the gold underneath.

Cons: High-maintenance due to the plating being prone to scratches and chips. Expensive.

What are Elysium Rings? Elysium is the brand given by Lashbrook to its line of solid diamond rings. Using its proprietary technology, they create rings from a multi-crystal black diamond matrix that resists scratching.

Pros: Entirely scratch resistant. High end, future heirloom. Extremely unique.

Cons: Expensive.