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 centre of the band is cut in a fine diamond knurl, the grip pattern on a tool or a watch crown, in black zirconium between two polished bright bevels. Tactile, which is the point of it.
His on its own pageAbout this pair
Dark centres framed by bright metal on both rings, with the middle treated very differently. Relieved black leaves its centre a smooth satin black and cuts the oxide back at the shoulders. Knurled, black fills its centre with a fine diamond knurl, the grip pattern on a tool or a watch crown, between two polished bevels. From a distance the rings share a silhouette, black through the middle and bright at the edges. Up close, and under the thumb, one is smooth and the other has grip.
In this pairing Relieved black plays the plain part: a satin black band from 4 to 10mm, bright along both shoulders, with nothing else to distract from the contrast. Knurled, black is the tactile ring: the diamond knurl can be felt as well as seen, and its polished bevels give it a brighter edge. Light compared with gold and hypoallergenic, each can also be bought on its own.
| Hers | His | |
|---|---|---|
| Ring | Relieved black | Knurled, black |
| Metal | Black zirconium | Black zirconium |
| Width | 4 to 10mm | 4 to 10mm |
| Finish | satin | knurled |
| Weight | About 3.2g at 6mm, est. | About 3.2g at 6mm, est. |
| Surface hardness | Mohs 8 | Mohs 8 |
| From | £255 | £365 |
Knurling hides small marks among its points, while the smooth satin centre of the relieved band shows the black more plainly. Two tactile rings would mean the knurled design twice; those who want both smooth might choose Relieved black for each hand. This pairing is for a couple who like the same frame with different detail inside it.
More pairs on his and hers wedding rings. Wondering whether your rings need to match at all? Mixing metals in wedding rings covers it.