Gemstones are not just something that adorns your favorite piece of jewelry. Every stone has its meaning, symbolism, and esoteric properties. These properties can change depending on the stone itself, or its color. Black gemstones are rare and add a modern edge to any piece of jewelry. How many of them do you know? We’ll share our top 15 favorites to inspire your unique jewelry purchases.
What do black gemstones mean?
Every gemstone has symbolism behind it, and it is believed that each can help you bring a specific type of energy into your life.
Black gemstones correspond to the root chakra, which focuses on grounding and protection. Each black gemstone has its meaning, but most are used to purify negative energy and connect to the earth.
15 Black Gemstones You Should Know
There is a myriad of black gemstones out there. Here are just a few you should know about.
Black Diamond
Diamonds are known as the toughest precious stone in nature, ranking a 10 on the Mohs scale. The dazzling diamond can be found in a variety of colors, which appear because of impurities in the stone.
The black diamond, also known as carbonado, is one of the toughest natural diamonds.
Black diamonds are high-frequency gemstones, representing action, passion, power, and high energy. In medieval Europe, the carbonado was considered a lucky talisman that protected the wearer from evil.
Ferberite
Ranked at a 4.5 on the Mohs scale, the ferberite is almost exclusively a black gemstone. Its main composition is iron and tungstate.
This stone is more of a collector’s piece and is rarely found on the market. Additionally, ferberite is used to make tungsten, which is used in jewelry, heating, weights, blades, and other high-density products.
💡 Did You Know? Ferberite is believed to contain healing properties for heartaches and to activate inner power.
Black Jade
Jade also comes in a variety of colors, including green, black, and white. The color of the black jade is due to the amount of iron and manganese in its composition.
Ranked at a 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, this gemstone is often used in jewelry for its decent durability.
The black jade is believed to act as a guardian stone and repels evil spirits. It’s also been used in the creation of tools and knives. However, black jade jewelry is breathtakingly beautiful and the perfect addition to your collection.
Black Labradorite
The labradorite gets its name because of the region where it is found, which is Labrador, Canada. The black labradorite features a beautiful iridescence. The stone is believed to provide protection and grounding power to its wearer.
The black labradorite is ranked at a 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, making it a great option for statement jewelry.
If you are not kin of overly sparkly jewelry, this black labradorite bracelet is a great option for you. It features a pendant that reminds you to keep going even when times get tough and will look great with a statement watch.
Black Melanite
Also known as titanium andradite, black melanite is a hard crystal with an opaque construction that rarely comes in shades other than black.
The melanite is a 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, and it is used in earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and pendants. In crystal healing, the gemstone is believed to calm the mind and settle a restless heart.
Black Moissanite
Moissanite is extremely rare to find in nature nowadays. This is why most of the gemstone in the market is man-made. The gemstone looks very similar to a diamond, but it is more affordable than the coveted precious stone.
Black moissanite is highly resistant, ranking a 9.25 on the Mohs scale. The black moissanite, as well as its other colors, is very popular due to its similarities to the diamond at a more affordable price.
The gemstone has become especially popular for engagement rings. For example, this engagement ring from Etsy features baguette-cut black moissanite as the center stone. It also features moissanite side stones in a round cut, tying everything together.
Black Onyx
The onyx is a gemstone that comes in a spectrum of shades, ranging from black to white. One of the most unique features of this stone is the patterns and rainbow-like displays of different hues. Ranking at a 7 on the Mohs scale, this stone is a great option for jewelry.
The different onyx colors have different esoteric benefits. The black onyx, specifically, is associated with grounding, self-control, and protective powers. This Tiffany Black Onyx bracelet is a great jewelry piece to keep yourself grounded and looking beautiful.
Black Opal
If you want something that is not just plain black, the black opal is a breathtakingly beautiful alternative.
Opals typically have many colors in an iridescent pattern. The black opal, found only in Australia, is the most valuable and rarest type of opal on the market. This black opal ring is a beautiful option. The different hues of the gemstone make it look unique and personal.
The gemstone ranks between 5.5 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale. The black is the center of many legends and myths.
Black Pearl
Pearls are a classic gemstone sure to elevate any outfit. The gemstone is featured in so many shades, including ivory, gold, pink, blue, silver, peach, and black.
The Tahitian pearl is of a dark, almost black, shade, and it is the only one that is of this color by nature. Some black pearls are dyed, making them a bit more affordable.
The black pearl is considered an amulet against evil intentions. It’s also very delicate, ranking between 2.5 and 4.5 on the Mohs scale. So, take good care of your pearl jewelry.
These Tahitian pearl earrings from the Blue Nile are a beautiful option that will elevate any outfit. This piece features dazzling diamonds that exude luxury.
Black Sapphire
Along with the diamond, the sapphire is another highly-coveted precious stone. The black sapphire is a dark, unique stone. Unfortunately, this color of the precious stone is not as highly valued as its blue counterpart, and it is mainly found in Australia.
Often confused with the Onyx, the black Sapphire is much more durable, ranking a 9 on the Mohs scale. It is believed to improve calmness and intuition, and reduce negative energies. These delicate black sapphire hoops will be a beautiful addition to your jewelry collection.
Black Spinel
The black spinel is one of the rarest colors of the gemstone. Ranked between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs scale, the black gemstone is commonly used in jewelry. Like black onyx, this gemstone screams elegance.
💡 Did You Know? Although often confused with black tourmaline, black spinel is of a higher quality. It is believed that the gemstone can repel negative energy and protect the wearer.
This delicate and beautiful black spinel necklace from Oak & Luna adds just the right flair to any outfit. The Tabitha Black Spinel Necklace features an elegant square-shaped black spinel that adds a modern edge to any look. Plus, the necklace is made of 14k gold, bringing you high quality and beauty.
Black Tiger’s Eye
The black tiger’s eye presents the phenomenon of chatoyancy. This phenomenon is an optical effect in which a band of light is reflected in certain gemstones, creating an appearance similar to light bouncing off a cat’s eye. The most common color of the “tiger’s eye” is golden or brown.
The gemstone is ranked at a 7 on the Mohs scale. It is widely used in jewelry and symbolizes vitality, power, and courage. This beautiful and simple black tiger’s eye engagement ring from Etsy features an art nouveau-inspired design.
Black Tourmaline
Tourmaline is available in a variety of colors, such as pink, green, blue, and black. When it comes to this gemstone, the more intense the shade, the more valuable it is. The black tourmaline is believed to protect the wearer and attract compassion and empathy.
The name for the gemstone originated in the Sinhalese Turmali, which is a gemstone of mixed color. Additionally, the tourmaline is ranked a 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it a great option for jewelry.
Obsidian
Obsidian is a stone that forms when the lava erupted from a volcano and cools down quickly. Black obsidian is a solid black stone with a shiny luster when polished. It comes in a variety of styles such as spiderweb and snowflake designs.
The stone is believed to have protective powers and spiritual cleaning properties. The spiderweb counterpart is believed to be helpful to those dealing with challenging situations. Snowflake obsidian, which is the one featured in the earrings, is believed to regularly clean your body, heart, mind, and spirit.
Black Agate
Black Agate is a form of quartz. The stone is translucent when held against light. Black agate is widely available, especially in the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico.
This black gemstone is affordable and looks beautiful. The agate is believed to bring protection, success, and courage to its wearer. It is used in crystal healing for respiratory, dental, and reproductive issues.
This black Agate necklace from Etsy is a beautiful addition to your collection. It features a minimalist geometric design and has a vintage feel to it. Additionally, the black agate hangs on a 14K gold plated 925 silver chain.
Black Gemstone FAQs
With so many black gemstones, it can get overwhelming. Here are some commonly asked questions to guide you in choosing the one that best works for you.
What is the rarest black gem?
The black opal is considered among the rarest of all gemstones. Almost all the world’s supply of gemstone has been mined in Australia, making it extremely rare.
The most valuable opals are of a darker and more intense color. One of the most valuable black opals is the “Aurora Australis”, which was founded in 1938. The 180-karat opal was valued at $763,000 in 2005.
What is the strongest black gemstone?
In terms of healing strength, obsidian is a powerful gemstone. The black obsidian is believed to reduce the feeling of stress, depression, or any negative feelings.
But for durability, the black diamond is the top contender. Diamonds are ranked at a 10 on the Mohs scale, making them the most durable of all stones.
Is black onyx expensive?
Compared to a diamond, no. The black onyx is less durable, making it more affordable than the diamond. Also, many buyers prefer black onyx to diamonds because of its lower value to be worn as an everyday jewelry item.
What stone is black and sparkly?
Black obsidian is a solid black stone with a shiny luster when it is polished. It can be found in many places around the world, and it is not expensive to purchase.
What is the most precious black stone?
The most precious black stone is either the diamond or the black opal. The “Aurora Australis” was valued at $763,000 in 2005.
However, there are black diamonds on the market that are also very expensive and precious. The black opal takes precedence because the supply of them in nature is almost gone.
The Darker the Gem, the Prettier the Jewel
There is a wide variety of black gemstones in the market. Whether you like the unique colors of the black opal, the cool designs of the obsidian, or the classic look of a black diamond, one is sure to be a great fit for you.
Black gemstones add a unique edge to any piece of jewelry, bringing a darker touch to something dainty. And if you want to feel protected, black gemstones provide you protection against any bad energy that might roam around you.
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