Hers
Heated in air, zirconium forms a black ceramic oxide at its surface. This design machines that oxide away at the shoulders so the pale metal beneath shows through. The black is not applied plating, but harsh contact can still damage the surface.
Hers on its own pageHis
The most repeated shape in this whole category and the reason is that it works: a soft brushed centre reads dark and quiet, and two polished bevels catch every light in the room. Ours gets the contrast from machining one metal rather than plating two.
His on its own pageAbout this pair
Black zirconium with bright metal at the edges, on both rings, and the contrast is made the same way each time: the black oxide is machined back to reveal the pale metal beneath. Relieved black cuts the oxide away at the shoulders, so it reads as a black band outlined in bright metal. Brushed centre, polished bevels softens the middle to a dark, quiet satin and polishes its two bevels until they catch every light in the room. Side by side they share a palette and a method, one matte and restrained, the other livelier at the edges.
Relieved black is a satin black zirconium band, 4 to 10mm, with bright metal at both shoulders. Brushed centre, polished bevels keeps the same black and bright pairing, its centre brushed and its edges polished, and takes a shape that has been repeated across this category because it works. Zirconium is light next to gold and kind to sensitive skin, and either ring stands on its own.
| Hers | His | |
|---|---|---|
| Ring | Relieved black | Brushed centre, polished bevels |
| Metal | Black zirconium | Black zirconium |
| Width | 4 to 10mm | 4 to 10mm |
| Finish | satin | satin centre |
| Weight | About 3.2g at 6mm, est. | About 3.2g at 6mm, est. |
| Surface hardness | Mohs 8 | Mohs 8 |
| From | £255 | £255 |
With no carat or colour to choose, the decisions are width and design. Black zirconium's oxide sits around Mohs 8, so it resists the fine marks that soften gold; hard contact can still mark it, and the lighter metal may show where it does. A couple wanting identical rings might choose Relieved black twice. This pairing suits two people who want the same materials in two slightly different moods.
More pairs on his and hers wedding rings. Wondering whether your rings need to match at all? Mixing metals in wedding rings covers it.