Salt and pepper diamonds contain in their structure numerous fine black and white inclusions resembling grains of pepper and salt. Their unusual nature makes them valuable to collectors and customers looking for unusual gems. Inclusions inside the crystal create unique mosaics which, under the influence of the rosette cut, sparkle as if in the mirrors of a kaleidoscope.
The inclusions in salt and pepper diamonds were formed by extreme heat and pressure in the Earth's crust millions of years ago. The different colours and properties are due to trace elements trapped in the inclusions and cracks. Interestingly, these diamonds have the same hardness as pure crystals despite their nature. Each stone has a unique pattern, and it can take up to several weeks to find a gem with the perfect arrangement of inclusions.
That was the case with the diamond I was seeking for the project below. The one-and-a-half-carat gem has a predominance of black inclusions with only a small amount of salt. The evenly scattered inclusions contrast with the clear spaces. The hexagonal rosette cut gives the stones additional charm. It is complemented by small round diamonds of excellent clarity, set on the four planes of the rosette cut and the ring. The entire piece was made in yellow gold.
