Salt and Pepper diamonds are real mined diamonds. ‘Salt and Pepper’ is a marketing term used to describe included diamonds, with ‘Salt’ referring to white inclusions and ‘Pepper’ referring to black inclusions which are highly visible within the diamond. The majority of natural diamonds mined are highly included, and for years these diamonds were perceived as undesirable and used primarily for industrial purposes, but due to increasing consumer appreciation and demand, gem-quality included diamonds are being cut and polished for the jewellery trade. Although purer diamonds are considered of higher value, no two salt and pepper diamonds are alike, and their appeal with contemporary brides-to-be looking for unique one-of-a-kind diamonds, speaks to and reflects their individual personalities.
Inclusions occur when minerals are trapped inside a stone; they might look like feathers, cracks, clouds, colouration, or even chips. Each diamond found reflects the time it was formed, and each inclusion is a timestamp of that stone’s unique life cycle, geography and age. According to the GIA grading scale, salt and pepper diamonds would be graded as I2- I3; however, since inclusions are what makes these diamonds special, the grading system doesn’t really apply.
Icy white diamonds contain cloud-like inclusions, which are a cluster of pinpoints or crystals in close proximity to one another. This type of inclusion can cause a hazy, almost opalescent appearance affecting light transmission and, in abundance, can produce an opaque milky white stone.
Icy grey diamonds are made up of graphite and colourless inclusions sprinkled throughout the diamond providing their distinctive celestial beauty.
Dark grey diamonds obtain a grey appearance when interacting with hydrogen or boron during their formation process, and of course, the abundance or lack thereof will affect their colour saturation. These stones can range from a light silver tint, right through to charcoal greys. Some diamonds will show grey due to their inclusions alone.
No magnification is required to appreciate Mother Nature’s artistry in these alternative diamonds, and their individuality is easily recognisable.
Article credit: Misfit Diamonds
