Basic Black Is All the Rage in Diamonds

Diamonds -- white, pink or yellow -- can seem to be distant points of light in a budgetary galaxy that's light years away from your earthly income.

But it's still possible to make a dazzling statement by fading to black.

Black diamonds -- dramatic, distinctive and dashing -- are bringing sexy black to formal and casual attire, from Goth-style brooches to engagement rings to understated men's cufflinks.

And their price can be downright terrestrial.

Tim Moses, co-owner of Moses Jewelers in Seven Fields, says black diamonds can offer a novel, less-costly alternative.

"You have fashion, you have look and you have a lower price," he says. "And you have a conversation piece.

"Since they're a fraction of the cost of pink and yellow diamonds it makes them attractive to a large audience because the price is much lower. ... They are a fashion piece, so it's not like you're investing in a diamonds. You're buying a piece of jewelry to enjoy."

But that hardly means black diamonds are generic. They're also on the shopping list of "the fashion sensitive woman who already owns diamond jewelry and wants something unique," Moses says.

These after-six sparklers have been spotted on singers Mandy Moore and Fergie. Ditto for James Bond girl Olga Kurylenko, who appeared in the most recent 007 film, "Quantum of Solace." Designers like David Yurman and Catherine Angiel have deployed black diamonds in their jewelry lines.

Last year, the smoky gems got a boost when Carmen Electra showed off her black-diamond engagement ring, which is set amongst white diamonds.

"That is exactly the same thing that happened when J-Lo got engaged with a pink diamond," says Helena Krodel, spokesperson for the Jewelry Information Center in New York City. "People said, 'What the heck is this?' "

And lets not forget the Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra, created by jeweler Martin Katz and set with 3,575 black diamonds and other precious gems. Victoria's Secret featured the $5 million dazzler in last year's holiday collection.