Salt and Pepper

What is a Salt and Pepper Diamond?

Salt and pepper diamonds achieve their unique look due to the natural occurrence of inclusions in their crystal structure. Inclusions play an important role in all diamonds. For salt and pepper diamonds, there isn’t one single inclusion that is responsible for their unique look. Instead, a myriad of different types of inclusions can be present, creating a countless variety of looks in a salt and pepper diamond.

Depending on these inclusions, salt and pepper diamonds will vary quite a bit from one to the other. Spanning the spectrum, they can be close to black, dark or light gray, milky, and even almost colorless. In some instances, they can even have green, yellow, orange, or red hues. But to be a salt and pepper diamond, inclusions must be a key, prominent feature.

The cut of a galaxy diamond is the other unique aspect. Gem cutters most often cut salt and pepper diamonds in a rose cut, which has a flat bottom, since retention of carat weight is not usually a concern. For galaxy diamonds, they are cut exactly like a traditional diamond, so the stone has a culet, the term for the bottom part of the diamond where the facets come together in a point. This type of culet allows for less light to escape, enhancing the diamond’s brilliance.

At OM Jewels Inc, we source and supply natural salt & pepper diamonds directly from New York. This guide covers everything you need to know before buying — from what they are, how they’re priced, which cuts look best, and how to care for them long-term.

Salt & Pepper Color Chart

Since all diamonds are made from carbon, the black spots are pieces of carbon that didn’t fully crystallize during the diamond’s formation.

Salt & Pepper diamonds just have more of them! Some diamonds have a light speckling, and others have A LOT! Take the beauty mark diamonds for example, they tend to have a larger than average carbon spot surrounded by smaller inclusions.

Others have an equal amount of white and black inclusions, giving a more blanket grey hue, and we especially love the ones with mostly white inclusions that look like ice!

Learn about the 4CS guide for diamond grading….!

Are Diamonds for Salt and Pepper Expensive?

Salt and pepper diamonds are the complete opposite of colored diamonds, which are frequently more valuable than colorless diamonds. These stones are much less expensive because they are not “perfect.”

Salt & pepper diamonds are often cheaper than white diamonds. This is news for couples who are on a budget. A diamond with no flaws is really rare. Salt & pepper diamonds remain highly valuable because they are rare. Every diamond is strong and special, in its own way, no matter what it looks like. Salt and pepper diamonds are unique. That is what makes them so great. Every salt & pepper diamond is durable and one of a kind.

They are therefore far less expensive than colorless diamonds, and their flaws are what make them unique, although they are less valuable stones in the diamond market. Here, Carat and Cut Still Play an Important Role. Contact us for wholesale pricing.

Rarity And Hardness

Compared to regular diamonds, salt and pepper diamonds are more prevalent overall. This has always been the case! However, before they were welcomed into the jewelry market, these jewels would have been abandoned, or ground down into dust to be utilized in industrial processes.

Any diamond is still relatively rare, yet, as 28 tonnes of diamond is mined each year, it is one of the more frequent precious gemstones.

Salt and pepper diamonds share the top spot on the Mohs Scale with their white diamond sibling, getting a magnificent 10/10. However, due to the imperfections that make them so unique, this also implies that salt and pepper diamonds can break!

Similar to emeralds, these stones can be brittle, so although anything other than another diamond is unlikely to harm them, a severe knock could shatter or split your stone.

The Mohs mineral hardness scale is a tool used to gauge how resistant different minerals are to scratches. It assigns a relative hardness value to minerals based on their ability to scratch or be scratched by other minerals. The hardest number is 10 (diamond).

Frequently Asked Questions

Are salt and pepper diamonds real diamonds?

Yes, 100%. Salt and pepper diamonds are completely real, natural diamonds. They are formed deep within the Earth from carbon, under the same extreme heat and pressure as colorless diamonds. The only difference is that their natural inclusions are celebrated rather than hidden. They are composed of the same carbon crystal structure, rank 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, and have the same physical and chemical properties as any other diamond.

How much does a 1-carat salt and pepper diamond cost?

A 1-carat salt and pepper diamond typically ranges from $150 to $700+ depending on the clarity, inclusion pattern, cut quality, and shape. Heavily milky or near-opaque stones can be as low as $80–$150 per carat. Beautifully patterned icy white or dalmatian stones in premium cuts can reach $500–$1,000 per carat. At OM Jewels Inc, we offer wholesale pricing for B2B buyers — contact us for current inventory and pricing.

Are salt and pepper diamonds good for engagement rings?

Absolutely. Salt and pepper diamonds are an excellent choice for engagement rings. They score 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them as scratch-resistant as any diamond. The key is choosing the right setting — a bezel setting offers the most protection for stones with many inclusions. With proper care, a salt and pepper diamond engagement ring will last a lifetime and look completely unlike anyone else’s ring.

What is the grading system for salt and pepper diamonds?

Salt and pepper diamonds are not graded on the standard GIA clarity or color scales. Instead, they are evaluated subjectively based on: the attractiveness and symmetry of the inclusion pattern, overall transparency — ranging from near-transparent to near-opaque, the presence of any surface-reaching inclusions that could affect durability, and cut quality, carat weight, and shape. There is no universal certificate, so buying from a trusted, experienced dealer is essential.

How do I choose the right salt and pepper diamond?

Start by deciding on your preferred color type (icy white, dalmatian, misty, ash gray, etc.), then consider the cut shape that fits your ring design. Look for stones where the inclusion pattern is visually balanced and attractive — not randomly scattered in a way that looks chaotic or muddy. Check for surface-reaching inclusions that could affect durability. Finally, consider your budget: a slightly smaller, well-patterned stone is almost always more beautiful than a larger, murky one.

Can I use an ultrasonic cleaner on a salt and pepper diamond?

No — never use an ultrasonic cleaner on a salt and pepper diamond. The intense vibrations can stress the internal inclusions and cause cracking or fracturing. Instead, clean with warm soapy water and a soft toothbrush. This is the only safe method for cleaning these stones at home.