1.60ct Orange Botswana Salt and Pepper Diamond - Oval Rose Cut

Salt and pepper diamonds are natural diamonds with visible inclusions that shape the character of the stone. These inclusions may appear as fine speckling, dark crystals, cloudy areas, feathers, icy zones or smoky internal patterns. In traditional diamond grading, clarity is often treated as a measure of rarity and value; salt and pepper diamonds ask for a different kind of appreciation. Their beauty comes from individuality rather than perfection.

The phrase “salt and pepper” covers a wide range of appearances. Some stones are pale and icy, with soft grey or white internal texture. Others are darker and moodier, with dramatic black inclusions or a galaxy-like pattern. Some are transparent enough to show strong sparkle, while others have a more opaque, mineral quality. Shape and cutting style also make a significant difference: rose cuts, step cuts, shields, kites, pears and geometric forms can emphasise the internal patterning in very different ways.

Because inclusions are part of the appeal, durability assessment is especially important. A heavily included diamond is still a diamond, but not every included diamond is equally suited to every setting or every style of wear. We look closely at whether inclusions reach the surface, whether the edges are vulnerable, how the stone will be held, and whether the design protects the most delicate areas. A beautiful salt and pepper diamond should still be chosen with practical jewellery-making in mind.

Salt and pepper diamonds are often chosen by people who want something less conventional than a classic white diamond. They can feel modern, organic, architectural, romantic or raw, depending on the stone and setting. Their appeal is personal: the exact pattern inside the diamond becomes part of the story of the piece.

For us, responsible salt and pepper diamond sourcing means choosing stones honestly and carefully. We do not treat inclusions as a flaw to be hidden, but we do assess what those inclusions mean for beauty, durability and value. The most important thing is transparency: understanding what makes the diamond distinctive, how it should be worn, and whether it is suitable for the jewellery being made.