Salt and pepper diamonds - why are they so expensive?

[La2020]

I have seen some sites where they retail salt and pepper diamonds jewelry at a very high price. Why are such diamonds so expensive? Aren't they just heavily included diamonds?

 

[ForteKitty]

It's just marketing. I think they're awful and can't believe the highway robbery some of these vendors are committing!

 

[lurkie91]

I agree. Some people might prefer the look but the cost is absolutely extortionate considering how included they are. Pure marketing. You can assess what they are really worth by checking out the secondary/resale market.

 

[elizat]

Agree. Marketing. Making them seem romantic, special, and off beat. Some sellers call them "artisanal" stones and act like they are so rare and valued. The prices have shot up in the past few years. The prices on some are just so outlandish for milky, included, and sometimes just plain unattractive stones.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

It's just marketing. I think they're awful and can't believe the highway robbery some of these vendors are committing!

I like them but otherwise completly agree with you

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Short answer: because people buy them. It’s the same thing as with chocolate/cognac diamonds - they were considered of low value until someone slapped a moniker and good ad copy on them. Though for what it’s worth I think cognac diamonds look nicer than salt and pepper ones.

 

[RockFox]

I quite like some of them - not all salt and pepper diamonds are created equal, that’s for sure. That said I bought mine off Etsy for a steal and had it set by a local jeweller.

Agree with PPs - it’s all about the marketing and that magical term “alternative bride”. Let’s face it almost all diamonds are veblen goods, except for the rare few genuine investment quality ones. As someone working in media and communications, I can promise you it’s all about the emotive narrative around them. “Real is rare” and all that… and despite knowing about the marketing and seeing right through it I still love a diamond of any kind.

 

[Beagles]

First I've heard of these. They are hideous. I wouldn't take one for free.

 

[Txborn79]

It’s crazy isn’t it?!?! My daughter likes the look and when I told her to give me a list of ideas of things she might like for her 16th birthday, she had a salt n pepper ring on it. I looked all over and just couldn’t bring myself to purchase one so I bought her a black rhodium ring, hoping she likes it because it still has that edgy look which I think is what she’s drawn to.

This is what I purchased with a .3ct G oval (small as it’s her first real piece of jewelry and I’m not sure how responsible she will be with it)

 

[lillibear]

I like some salt and pepper diamonds but I wouldn’t pay a lot for one- I’m actually not sure I would even buy one but I do find some interesting... almost cosmic looking.

 

[Dancing Fire]

How expensive are they? How much for a 3ct RD?

 

[thecatmom]

I personally don't understand the appeal of salt and pepper diamonds. If I buy a diamond, I want it to be clear as water and sparkle and dazzle. If I want a translucent or opaque stone, I will wear a gemstone. I can maybe try out a cocktail ring with salt and pepper diamond to compliment a certain look, but will never shell out big bucks for a fad like salt and pepper diamonds. They don't even look like diamonds to me. No offense to salt and pepper lovers here. Call me old fashioned, but if it is not a classic piece that I can hand down to my next generation, I will not pay big bucks for it.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Short answer: because people buy them. It’s the same thing as with chocolate/cognac diamonds - they were considered of low value until someone slapped a moniker and good ad copy on them. Though for what it’s worth I think cognac diamonds look nicer than salt and pepper ones.

I used to read a ton of Wilbur Smith who often had his historical characters digging for diamonds in Africa and brown diamonds were never good

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I quite like some of them - not all salt and pepper diamonds are created equal, that’s for sure. That said I bought mine off Etsy for a steal and had it set by a local jeweller.

Agree with PPs - it’s all about the marketing and that magical term “alternative bride”. Let’s face it almost all diamonds are veblen goods, except for the rare few genuine investment quality ones. As someone working in media and communications, I can promise you it’s all about the emotive narrative around them. “Real is rare” and all that… and despite knowing about the marketing and seeing right through it I still love a diamond of any kind.

Can we see a picture
Ive never seen one on a real person

 

[La2020]

Design Your Round Salt And Pepper Diamond Engagement Ring – Alexis Russell

Design your own round salt and pepper diamond engagement ring with Alexis Russell. Choose your diamond, gold and setting, and watch your custom engagement ring come to life!

www.alexisrussell.com

This is what I can find off hand... I lost the link to the one with very expensive salt and pepper diamonds.. Based in NY.. 1c min 3k usd.

 

[Dancing Fire]

This is what I can find off hand... I lost the link to the one with very expensive salt and pepper diamonds.. Based in NY.. 1c min 3k usd.

I wouldn't even pay $300 for any salt pepper stone.

 

[bludiva]

i think they are cool like rutilated quartz or moss agate or others where the inclusions are what makes them interesting but they should be priced like those other semi precious stones. you can still find loose salt pepper diamonds on etsy etc for reasonable prices.

 

[123ducklings]

i think they are cool like rutilated quartz or moss agate or others where the inclusions are what makes them interesting but they should be priced like those other semi precious stones. you can still find loose salt pepper diamonds on etsy etc for reasonable prices.

This 100%

Most salt and pepper diamonds do nothing for me, but I have seen some (especially rose cut or portrait cut) with interesting inclusions. I would not pay more than a few hundred dollars for one.

 

[La2020]

I wouldn't even pay $300 for any salt pepper stone.

Oops! I just realised that that link is 3.9k usd for 1.01c


seriously..imagine the profit margins of these sellers!


Yes saw a number of cheap ones from India in etsy..

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

This 100%

Most salt and pepper diamonds do nothing for me, but I have seen some (especially rose cut or portrait cut) with interesting inclusions. I would not pay more than a few hundred dollars for one.

A portrait cut would be awsome !
Not thousands of dollars awsome mind you
but several hundard dollars awsome would be cool !

 

[Bron357]

Excellent and imaginative marketing.
I’ve heard them referred to as “Galaxy diamonds”. Very exotic sounding!
Off white, tinged yellow diamonds but not yellow enough to be a Fancy no one wanted until they were called Champagne diamonds. Same with Brown diamonds, call them Cognac diamonds and woo hoo.
Same deal with black diamonds, while natural and untreated do exist, the ones marketed are invariably irradiated.
Why anyone would want a solid black and opaque diamond beats me ? May as well have black onyx, aside from the hardness.
The other “trend” that intrigued me was the coloured plating over metal, gold plated to be hot pink or bright blue or green in colour. Unfortunately expensive and short lasting (wears off very quickly) or I would have bought a piece just for fun.

 

[Roselina]

Not sure if this goes by salt and pepper... maybe just heavenly carbon included. Bought this when I was very young, already drawn to diamonds but with no spare money in my pocket. It cost very little. The big inclusion reminded me of a bird, I liked that somehow. I wouldn’t buy it today, but I think salt and pepper stones can be fun projects, if price is right.

 

[RockFox]

Can we see a picture
Ive never seen one on a real person

@Daisys and Diamonds I use it as an alternative set sometimes on low key days or as a right hand ring

 

[missy]

Marketing to gullible individuals. I think (as in IMO so not fact of course) salt and pepper diamonds are butt ugly. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder and marketing certainly influences us all at times at least to some degree.

In this case marketing will never change how I feel about these salt and pepper diamonds but to each his/her own.

Personally I think they are unattractive.

 

[whitewave]

They can’t possibly have scintillation or sparkle or fire, so I honestly don’t see the point.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

@Daisys and Diamonds I use it as an alternative set sometimes on low key days or as a right hand ring

Wow !
Its very striking
I would love a ring like that
the yellow gold is perfect with it
And the best example of a true alternative set ive ever seen

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Marketing to gullible individuals. I think (as in IMO so not fact of course) salt and pepper diamonds are butt ugly. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder and marketing certainly influences us all at times at least to some degree.

In this case marketing will never change how I feel about these salt and pepper diamonds but to each his/her own.

Personally I think they are unattractive.

Reading so much Wilbur Smith i didn't think id ever like anything but a very white diamond
but now i want everything !

....well except a halo (but give that time too)

 

[RockFox]

Wow !
Its very striking
I would love a ring like that
the yellow gold is perfect with it
And the best example of a true alternative set ive ever seen

Thank you. They are definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. But I like
some of them. The one I chose is mostly dark, and rose cut, but has some very interesting inclusions that make it look alive in natural daylight.

Personally, I would advocate for going the Etsy loose stone and set route. Definitely would not spend thousands on it vs a traditional diamond.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thank you. They are definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. But I like
some of them. The one I chose is mostly dark, and rose cut, but has some very interesting inclusions that make it look alive in natural daylight.

Personally, I would advocate for going the Etsy loose stone and set route. Definitely would not spend thousands on it vs a traditional diamond.

I mean this with the upmost respect for your black diamond

i have always loved looking at a shinny piece of coal (ive never had a fire place so coal has always been a novilty)

I have a couple of whitby jet necklases
And i love onyx in a mid century setting

I have an enhanced black and white diamond ring i got on clarence for about $500 and i think the earings were about as much
But your ring is the black Queen

 

[RockFox]

I mean this with the upmost respect for your black diamond

i have always loved looking at a shinny piece of coal (ive never had a fire place so coal has always been a novilty)

I have a couple of whitby jet necklases
And i love onyx in a mid century setting

I have an enhanced black and white diamond ring i got on clarence for about $500 and i think the earings were about as much
But your ring is the black Queen

I love the pattern on that ring. Something a bit magical about very opaque stones.

Honestly, if I recall correctly I spent just shy of £500 on the stone and the setting together - which I find very reasonable. The gold band behind it was an eBay find, maybe £75.

I get that some of the salt and pepper diamonds/rings are crazy expensive - but they don’t have to be.