Contemporary metal
Black zirconium
Heat-grown black surface
Heating zirconium forms a black ceramic oxide at its surface. The colour comes from that oxide, rather than applied black plating. It is a hard surface over a softer metal core, so scratch resistance does not mean the whole ring is black or immune to damage.
Right for
- A black surface formed without applied plating
- A quieter look than white metal
- A ring that should look quiet
Choose something else if
- You want a white or yellow metal
- You want resale value in the metal itself
Honestly
The oxide is around Mohs 8: scratch resistant, not scratch proof. A hard knock against stone or steel can mark it and show the lighter metal underneath, and a pale line is often metal rubbed off something else, which cleans away. Our maker refinishes black zirconium depending on the damage.
The maker’s technical documentation identifies Zr 702, a heat-grown zirconium-oxide layer, approximately 1,200 Vickers surface hardness and 0% nickel. Its black zirconium guide describes the surface as typically around Mohs 8 and explains that pale marks may be softer metal transferred onto the oxide. That is a black surface far harder than gold, on a ring lighter than any gold one.
Resizing. Not in the usual way. The black is grown into the surface of the metal, so cutting or machining the band would show bright metal underneath. That is why the size is settled before the ring is made, and every ring is made to that measurement. More on which rings can be altered.
Measure with the free size finder and every ring is made to that size. If you are not sure yet, order with "I do not know yet" and we confirm the size with you before anything is made, and an unengraved ring can come back within 30 days.
In this material
31 rings
Plain black zirconium
Black all the way round, and none of it is a coating.
Colour line on black
One narrow line of real colour through matte black.
Relieved black
Black cut back to bright metal along both edges.
Twin groove
Two tones divided by a V cut around the centre.
Brushed centre, polished bevels
Matte through the middle, bright along both edges.
Stepped two tone
A machined step, black on one level and bright on the other.
Gold line, black
Solid yellow gold set flush into satin black zirconium.
Rose on relieved black
Three tones: bright edges, black shoulders, rose gold centre.
Three tone
Bright edges, black shoulders, a gold line down the middle.
Hammered black
Struck by hand, so the facets never land twice the same way.
Roman numeral
Your date, cut around the whole band in numerals.
Scattered set
Diamonds flush set at irregular intervals, not in a line.
Hammered black, colour line
A hammered black band with one anodised blue groove.
Offset gold line, black
A 1.5mm line of 9ct gold set off centre in black zirconium.
Hammered black, dome
A domed black zirconium band, hammered all over.
Hammered black, bright edges
A hammered black dome with bright natural metal at both edges.
Gold line, black dome
A grooved line of 9ct gold around the centre of a domed black band.
Colour line, all black
A flat black band with one anodised blue groove.
Eight diamonds, black, bright edges
Eight diamonds set into segmented black zirconium, between bright natural edges.
Eight diamonds, black
Eight diamonds set into a segmented black zirconium band.
Three diamonds, black, bright edges
Three diamonds on a black dome, with bright metal at both shoulders.
Heartbeat, relieved black
A heartbeat line milled around a relieved black zirconium band.
One diamond, black
A single ten point diamond, flush set into black.
Three diamonds, black
Three diamonds along a bright line through black.
Hammered black, gold line
Hand hammered black with a solid gold line.
Tyre tread, black
A tyre tread, cut around a black zirconium band.
Claddagh, black
The claddagh, hands, heart and crown, cut into black.
Celtic, black
A continuous Celtic knot, cut into black zirconium.
Twin lines, black
Two bright lines through matte black.
Waves, relieved black
Waves cut through black to bright metal.
Knurled, black
A knurled centre, like the grip of a tool, between bright edges.
Weighing it up
Compare it against something else
Read more
Guides about black zirconium
Before you choose black zirconium
Black zirconium questions
- Can a black zirconium ring be resized?
- Not in the usual way. The black is grown into the surface of the metal, so cutting or machining the band would show bright metal underneath. That is why the size is settled before the ring is made, and every ring is made to that measurement.
- Is black zirconium hard wearing?
- Yes. The heat-grown black oxide is around Mohs 8 and highly scratch resistant, far harder than gold. It is not scratch proof: a hard knock against stone or steel can mark it and show the lighter metal underneath, so take it off for abrasive or heavy work.
- Is black zirconium hallmarked?
- No, and it does not need to be. The Hallmarking Act applies to gold, silver, platinum and palladium. Black zirconium is not a precious metal, so no hallmark exists for it and none is required.
- How heavy is a black zirconium ring?
- 6.5 grams per cubic centimetre. Titanium is the lightest thing we make at 4.5 and platinum the heaviest at 21.4, so this sits at the light end of the range.
- Is black zirconium safe for sensitive skin?
- Yes. Our maker specifies Zr 702 zirconium with 0% nickel for these rings, and zirconium is hypoallergenic. If a ring ever gives you a rash, soap or moisture trapped under the band is a common cause; stop wearing it, and see your GP if it persists or returns.