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Us humans like to look for meaning in things, and we’re ever searching for the symbolism and purport of objects around us. This applies to most things, including jewelry.
Because a wedding ring in and of itself is a highly symbolic piece of jewelry, people often choose the color, design and gemstones with certain criteria in mind. One of these criteria is the meaning that certain choices give a ring.
With that said, does a black wedding ring have a significance that other color metals like yellow or white don’t have?
Let’s take a look.
What are Black Wedding Rings?
A black wedding ring refers to either the color of the metal or the type of gemstone.
Darkened titanium wedding band. See it here.
The most popular black metals for wedding rings on the market are:
- Black titanium – probably the most popular black metal, especially for men’s wedding bands
- Black tungsten carbide – the hardest metal option on the market and gets its black color by black titanium zirconium being embedded onto the surface
- Black ceramic – an extremely durable option for a wedding ring
- Black cobalt – avoid plated black cobalt and instead choose an entirely black ring
- Carbon fiber – technically not a metal, but a space-age material made of tightly woven fibers
- Black gold – a gold alloy plated with black rhodium
Each of these metals have their pros and cons, with some being plated metals and others being black all the way through.
Black diamond eternity ring. See it here.
In terms of black gemstones, there are many options available, but here are the most popular:
- Black diamond – the hardest gemstone, black diamonds are tough, durable and affordable
- Black sapphire – durable enough for daily wear but are less expensive than diamonds
- Black onyx – the most famous black gemstone used for centuries in jewelry
- Obsidian – a type of volcanic glass that has a unique luster and beautiful black hue
- Black jade – a lesser known color of jade that’s extremely tough and durable
- Black pearl – also known as Tahitian pearls and are very valuable
With black trending in jewelry currently, black metals and gemstones are becoming increasingly popular and offer a non-traditional option for rings.
Significance of Black Rings
The symbolism of a black ring comes mainly from its color, so looking at the color psychology and meaning of color can be helpful.
Black signifies many things, some of which are positive, but most of which are negative.
Positive Meanings of Black Color
- Power
- Strength
- Elegance
- Sophistication
- Prestige
We tend to associate the color black with sophistication, elegance and seriousness. It’s a definite color, with no ambiguity, which also connects it to power, authority and prestige. Black is a no-nonsense color. Black is dramatic and can create a sense of certainty.
Negative Meanings of Black Color
- Death
- Grief
- Rebellion
- Negativity
- Wrongdoing
Black is commonly associated with death and grief in many parts of the world, especially in the Western world. Because black is connected to the unknown, it can appear mysterious and frightening. We often use the modifier ‘black’ when talking about things that are either in the wrong or are unknown – black heart, black hole, blackguard.
In a black ring, which of these meanings become prominent?
It comes down to what you want the ring to represent. Black rings can represent individuality, a break in tradition, strength, confidence and a strong personality. Whether worn by men or women, these concepts remain equally applicable.
Note that the significance of the metal and the individual gemstone can also add to the overall meaning of the ring.
