Last Updated on October 3, 2023
Gemstones are often used and beloved by many due to their bright colors and dazzling appearance. But, a few fail to recognize the potential for black gemstones.
Black gemstones are just as stunningly beautiful as every other. You can use it to complement other gemstones really well in ensemble pieces of jewelry. They also radiate a very elegant vibe, representing sobriety and maturity.
Gothic and somber, black gemstones are a bold choice to wear. Gladly, they fit perfectly with both modern and classic styled outfits.
So – it makes sense to try some out for yourself right?
Here we are going to be looking at some of our favorite black gemstones. So, find the right one for you. We will also be touching on their spiritual value so you can use them to do more than just look classy and elegant.
Let’s take a look at some of the best black gemstones out there!
Best Black Gemstones
Let’s get straight into today’s article and take a look at the black gemstones that you should know about. Just keep reading to see our list below.
Obsidian
This gemstone is the go-to choice for a lot of people when it comes to finding the right black gemstone. It’s deep and dark yet reflective, making it perfect for jewelry.
Obsidian is known by some names. The most popular name for it is “volcanic glass” as it is formed when lava hardens. Thousands of years ago, obsidian was used to make tools and weapons and it can be cut sharp.
However, it is very easy to scratch and break yet there is still plenty of obsidian that are in use in jewelry despite this flaw.
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It is a beautiful gemstone that is shiny on the surface yet holds a lot of cleansing energy. Obsidian is used by some as a grounding stone, a way to spiritually help individuals ease themselves emotionally and feel the earth beneath their feet.
This is because obsidian is believed to enhance your root chakra, heal your solar plexus chakra, and protect the heart.
But no matter how you use it, obsidian is a beautiful gemstone that is sure to entrance many people.
Black Onyx
Black onyx is a very popular black gemstone. It is also very common, making it affordable for all and easy to incorporate into multiple projects.
Historically, this gemstone was used as a healing stone. Today, people still believe that it provides protection against negative energies and enhances the strength of its wearers.
It is a form of chalcedony, a translucent to an opaque gemstone that comes in a range of colors.
Onyx is beloved for its dark color and thick opacity, making this gemstone as black and inky as the night. It is smooth to touch. A very lustrous stone that also features a matte finish, making it the best of both worlds.
However, it is important to know that some varieties of onyx are dyed to enhance the color, reducing its value. So, if you want a true onyx, talk with your jeweler. They can point you in the direction of an untreated onyx that is still just as gorgeous.
These treated types of onyx are commonly found in birthstone jewelry. Onyx is the mystical birthstone of December and an alternative birthstone for those born in July.
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Black Opal
There is an association between opals and light and goodness. This is because they are most commonly found in shades of white, cream, and blue. They are dazzling, iridescent gemstones – including their darker variant.
Black opal is one of the most gorgeous gemstones available. They are not technically black as they can reflect lots of different colors. In this dark, inky beauty is specks of red, blue, yellow, green – every color imaginable is encased in this precious stone.
However, this makes them very expensive. If you are lucky enough to get one, you should treat it carefully and wear it with pride.
Not only is black opal quite rare and valuable, but it is also rather fragile as it has a similar hardness to glass. It rates between 5.5 and 6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
This means that it is not recommended to wear black opal in a ring or bracelet, but as part of a necklace would be ideal.
As for when it comes to spirituality, opals are held in high regard as stones that amplify hope and purity. Black opals in particular are used for protection and stability, helping ground people through their root chakra.
This makes black opals even more desired as they are versatile as well as stunningly beautiful.
Black Pearl
Black pearls are the most valuable variant of this sea-borne gemstone. They come in colors varying from light gray to pure pitch black.
They are organic and have spent many years growing inside one special type of oyster – the Tahitian black-lipped Pinctada margaritifera.
These oysters have a thick black interior to their shell while most oysters are white or silver. Hence, why the pearls appear black.
They are incredibly rare and valuable due to their rarity. In addition, they are very fragile as they rate between 2.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
However, they look amazing when strung together to make an amazing necklace or worn as a pair of dark earrings.
Black pearls are a modern twist on the classic pearl, bringing a dark touch to the traditional dreaminess of the pearl.
They are also linked to hope and fertility and are magnets for wealth and peace. So, they are ideal for jewelry and are sure to look amazing with any kind of outfit. Just remember to take good care of them and handle them very gently.
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Black Tourmaline
Often mistaken for black spinel, black tourmaline is the most common type of tourmaline. This makes it very affordable so it’s great to use in jewelry.
This is further supported by its durability as it currently rates a cool 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
Other than its durability and affordability, black tourmaline is also a very mesmerizing gemstone. It has a glass-like texture and surface, making it smooth and incredibly reflective. It may look fragile but it is not so it is perfect for all kinds of jewelry.
People also make use of tourmaline in altars. It is a great protective stone used to shield its wielder. This is until they can gather the courage and confidence to face the world.
This powerful protectiveness makes it a very desirable gemstone. Because of its affordability, it also makes it one of the most used protective stones.
Black Spinel
Spinel is a very tough stone that is mainly found in southeast Asia. This makes it an ideal black gemstone to use in heavy-duty jewelry.
It is dark and opaque, making it mystical and mysterious to many. Spinel is often overlooked in jewelry which is a shame because it offers so much in terms of versatility and durability.
Unfortunately, it is one of the rarest gemstones in the Spinel family, making it difficult to come across.
So, for those who are lucky enough to get their hands on this gorgeous gemstone, treasure it well.
Black Diamond
Diamonds are the most popular gemstone out there and it is very easy to see why. They radiate elegance and wealth, plus they are incredibly strong which makes them durable against hard and frequent use.
Many see them as a symbol of status. Merging this classic gemstone with the inky color of black is something new to the tradition.
Historically, black diamonds were thought to be useless and they are more opaque and reflect little light. But now, they are a huge fashion statement that has flipped their status upon their head.
Sadly, black diamonds are incredibly rare, this drives up their price as they can only be found in a few places in the world. They can be mined in places like Brazil or Central Africa, but there are also synthetic black diamonds now available.
They are made by treating colorless diamonds with heat, deepening their color to black. Regardless of how, they are less valuable but more affordable. This makes them in turn accessible to those who want to wear black diamonds for aesthetic reasons.
For spiritualists, these synthetic black diamonds hold very little use. Although they look amazing, they do not contain the same healing energies as regular black diamonds do.
No matter how, if you can get your hand on a real black diamond, they look stunning in jewelry like rings or at the heart of a very special necklace.
Black Jade
Jade is an interesting gemstone because it is so rich in history. It is often associated with far eastern countries like Japan and China. Often, these countries are using jade for many things including architecture, jewelry, and decoration.
It is quite soft (measures at a 6 on the Mohs scale) which makes it easy to shape and carve for artistic purposes.
It is traditionally viewed as light green to inspire creativity and dreams. There is also a darker version of this stone known as black jade.
Black jade is still as soft and compact as regular jade but also quite durable and mystical. It’s a great earthy stone to suit day wear or smart casual, especially for offices and meetings.
It is also a very protective stone that, like with many dark gemstones, promotes realism and grounds a person.
Smooth and soothing, it is easy to see why many people find black jade a comforting gem to hold onto, making it a great worry stone.
So whether you want to use it or wear it, black jade is a great choice for many people.
Black Sapphire
There is often an association with sapphires and the ocean, joy, and clarity due to their rich color. Even so, just like the ocean itself – sapphires have a hidden depth in the form of black sapphires.
This variant on the classic blue gemstone is incredibly rare but still underappreciated, making them reasonably affordable despite their scarcity.
But hey – we’re not complaining! Black sapphires are very mystical, sometimes capturing just a hint of violet or navy in certain lights.
Deep and dark, black sapphires deserve more love.
Wearing Black Gemstones
Black is the new black – it’s versatile and goes with anything. This is why it will never go out of fashion.
Just like this timeless color, the usage of black gemstones can bring a professional touch of elegance to any kind of outfit. Creating a high-fashion look that is sure to turn heads.
Because black is such a dark, deep color, it contrasts amazingly well with pale tones to make the whole outfit just pop.
This reason we would recommend you use white metals like sterling silver or white gold when encasing your black gemstone, although regular yellow gold can be used for more classic inspired outfits.
The more opaque the gemstone, the better suited it is for wooden fixings and leather accessories. This can be used to mix both boho and modern in an ingenious twist for the summer.
Our favorite thing about wearing black gemstones is that they are very gender-neutral.
Gemstones and wearing jewelry have always been associated with femininity. Those who identify as male or gender-neutral may prefer to avoid jewelry in case they seem too ‘feminine’ to others.
However, black gemstones are cool. This gemstone gives off such archaic vibes that they draw every one of all genders towards them.
So, no matter what gender you may identify as – black gemstones will suit you perfectly and raise no eyebrows unless they are to simply marvel at your appearance.
Using Black Gemstones
Gemstones all have unique energies that everyone can use to their advantage, but black gemstones have quite a few spiritual properties in common.
They are mostly used as grounding stones as their dark color closely connects to the root chakra. This means that they are used to strengthen the root chakra, clear it of negative energy to help individuals ground themselves in reality.
Whether they need a sense of realism or need to find calm after an emotional time, black gemstones are a great way to achieve this.
Many people also believe that black gemstones provide a protective barrier that shields them from negative energy.
This is because black gemstones radiate a power that repels negative, harmful energies that pose a threat to one’s emotional and spiritual self.
Black gemstones are loved by those who suffer from high emotions and often dream too much, helping them stay firm and stable in times of great strife or change.
Because of this, black gemstones are often used in meditation or as worry stones because they are a great help with emotional instability. They can help bring balance to a person and so, they can often be found in the form of worry stones.
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Choosing Black Gemstones
There are many things you should consider when it comes to choosing which black gemstone is the one for you.
Although many people may be concerned about its appearance and color (as some black gemstones are deeper than others), there are other factors to take into consideration.
The main one is hardness. Gemstones are measured on the Mohs scale of hardness with a rating of 1-10, with 10 being the strongest.
The harder the gemstone, the more difficult it is to chip, fracture or break, so this is a huge factor to consider when choosing which gemstone to use in your desired method.
For example, black diamonds are the toughest. After all, they measure at a 10 on the Mohs scale, making them the best to use because they are so tough to break. However, diamonds are very sought after so this can drive up their price.
The tougher the gemstone, the better it is to be used in heavy-duty jewelry like rings and bracelets, plus amulets and talismans that are often carried down, placed on surfaces, and thus at a high risk of being scratched or damaged.
Softer gemstones are safer when used in earrings, necklaces, or altars as this reduces the risk of them being bumped and scratched.
Another factor to consider is the cut of the stone. Shapes like ovals will help evenly distribute the weight of a gemstone, making it sturdier and less likely to break. Plus, it still retains the gemstones’ brilliance and beauty, making it ideal for worry stones.
Carat size is also a popular way to indicate quality as the carat refers to the weight of the gemstone.
Although the size does not dictate the quality of the gemstone, it certainly does influence the price so if you are looking for a good-sized gemstone for a worry stone or large necklace, be aware that the price for your ideal gemstone may be far out of your reach.
Buying Black Gemstones
The best way to purchase any gemstone, be it black or any other color, is through a jeweler.
The online market may be thriving but while it offers more choice and convenience, there are also plenty of risks that make it not worth it. Purchasing gemstones online runs the risk of the gemstone being fake or being sourced from an undesirable place.
The best way to ensure that you are buying is real and also humanely sourced is through a jeweler. They can provide you with a certificate of authenticity plus provide plenty of background about the gemstone and where it was sourced.
Conclusion
Overall, black gemstones are the full package. They are beautiful and mystical, modern and timeless all at the same time. They are also more than just something pretty to look at – black gemstones are great for grounding oneself and providing protection against negative energy.
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All of this makes black gemstones some of the most desired stones in the world due to their beauty and versatility. With so many on offer, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the right black gemstone to meet your needs.
So, take another look then get down to your jeweler as fast as possible once you have decided which black gemstones suit you best.
He is passionate about crystals, which he loves to share through his articles. He loves to delve into the captivating world of crystals to unravel their mesmerizing beauty and significance in jewelry.
By combining the artistry of jewelry with the science of gemology, he highlights the allure of crystals through captivating articles, establishing himself as a respected resource in this field. Gaurav has written about various topics, such as the meaning of gemstones, the history of jewelry, and the trends in the jewelry industry.
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