A newer, inkier shade of black rhodium is enabling jewelry designers the world over to explore their dark sides. The heady metal adds drama to of-the-moment styles, gives classic designs a contemporary twist, and creates cool effects when used underneath gems—making light stones pop and enhancing the edginess of dark gems. Talk about black magic!

 

(Top) Diamond Pyramid bangle in black rhodium–plated 18k gold; $20,000; Sutra, Houston; 713-984-4987; sutrajewels.com

 

(Inset) Diamond, sapphire, tsavorite, and onyx ring in black rhodium–plated 18k gold; $13,900; Lydia Courteille, Paris; 33-14-261-1171; lydiacourteille.com 

 

Huggie earrings in 14k gold with black rhodium and 0.12 ct. t.w. diamonds; $370; Shy Creation, Los Angeles; 213-623-8900; shycreation.com

 

Full Moon necklace with labradorite and diamonds in black rhodium–plated 14k white gold; $1,390; Blackbird and the Snow, Boulder, Colo.; 303-928-9821; blackbirdandthesnow.com

 

Free Me rings in 18k gold with black rhodium and 0.35 ct. t.w. tsavorites or rubies or 0.3 ct. t.w. sapphires; $1,855–$1,956; Nada G, Beirut; 96-11-560-591; nadag.com