There’s something so special about a really great black diamond ring.
Over the years, I’ve collected (by imaginary means only) a number of engagement rings featuring black diamonds that I find to be absolutely unforgettable. One of the standouts featured a round solitaire setting in rose gold, a gorgeous contrast that had a delicate twist thanks to the pink-hued metal.
Today’s addition to that virtual collection, a new release by London-based designer Tomasz Donocik, could not be more different.
Part of his new Moderne bridal collection—a line of engagement rings combining the geometric beauty of the art deco period with a modern sensibility—this particular piece sets a step-cut black diamond center atop a stair-like arrangement of baguette white diamonds, a classic contrast that continues down to the blackened metal setting of the band and prongs. The ring’s alluring name, Speakeasy, alludes to a forbidden and intoxicating love—or at least a romance that’s a lot of fun.
The art deco flair and baguette settings are not new for Donocik—it’s these features that define his signature aesthetic—but their incorporation into a wedding ring collection is. In the throes of the pandemic last year, the designer’s clients began requesting engagement rings (presumably due to a surplus of income not spent on travel and other experience-based expenses), leading to a majority of the brand’s sales for the year coming from bridal. So it was the perfect time to introduce a thoughtfully designed collection to appeal to shoppers’ current and future needs, which is what the designer has done with Moderne.
Though this piece spoke loudest to me (and it is also available in a version with all white diamonds), the collection has other attractive pieces, with some even featuring emeralds. The styles are rich with detail but beautifully delicate: Most center stones clock in at well under a carat (the average is about 0.6 ct.), but the pieces are beautifully decorated with diamond accents and deco shapes. You’ll find this appeals to those customers wanting something different and memorable, as opposed to those seeking something simple yet sizable, and the piece looks just as incredible on the hand as a high-carat diamond ever could.
Top: Speakeasy diamond engagement ring in 18k white gold with 0.7 ct. step-cut black diamond and 0.4 ct. t.w. baguette diamonds, $6,800; Tomasz Donocik
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