Objects of Desire

“It’s close to midnight, and under the moonlight you see a sight that almost stops your heart.” That sight—entrancingly seductive midnight diamonds. Not quite what Michael Jackson’s Thriller had in mind, but heart-stopping nonetheless. Sarasota jewelers were at least six months ahead of the trend to black diamonds, and townies were wearing the hot new look before it hit the red carpet at Cannes.

From St. Armands Circle to Osprey Avenue and beyond, we’ve rounded up some of the best midnight diamonds to be found anywhere on the planet. They suit any age and every taste, from couture-edgy to underground Goth. Black diamonds are also androgynous: masculine when they want to be, but for the most part infinitely feminine, especially when combined with their sparkly white crystallized carbon counterparts. 

Perhaps even more important, midnight diamonds are mysterious. You could be looking at less expensive onyx or black spinel. In this era of downplayed luxury, black diamonds are more about design than dollars: You’re not wearing your wallet on your wrist or ring finger. And that’s what’s so intoxicating about anti-status status jewels these days.

Dark Seduction As mesmerizing as the flash of an icy comet, seven luminous Tahitian pearls punctuate a graceful strand of black diamonds (46 cts.) in the Black Tie necklace, just one alluring star in a new series from Gellner of Germany ($9,000). Optional Art, 119 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota, (941) 955-4400.

Big Love Remember the black diamond engagement ring Mr. Big gave Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City 2? Diamond Vault’s majestic 34.62-ct. black diamond is set in white gold with white diamonds ($19,900), dwarfing Carrie’s mere five-ct. stone. Diamond Vault, 3979 Tamiami Trail, (941) 921-4016. 

Talent Shines in a debut black diamond collection by Laura Beaudry, wife of jewelry couturier Michael Beaudry. Faceted black diamond beads with white diamond clasp create a 400-ct. showstopper ($100,000). Queens’ Wreath at The Met, 35 S. Boulevard of Presidents, St. Armands, (941) 388-1772.

Arm Candy is deliciously sensuous in a bracelet of licorice-colored diamonds (8.25 cts.) set in 18K white gold ($13,860). McCarver and Moser, 482 John Ringling Blvd., St. Armands (941) 388-3666.

Glam Noir  Italian design house Crivelli’s black-and-white diamond collection features fashion’s new darling, 18K rose gold, here in a cuff bracelet with black (10.56 cts.) and brilliant white diamonds (5.13 cts.). Price on request at Tilden Ross Jewelers, 410 St. Armands Circle, (941) 388-3338.

Black Swan Celeb jewelry designer Dena Kemp adorns concentric circles of 18K white gold with 33 cts. of black diamond beads and cut white diamonds ($35,000). Saks Fifth Avenue, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (941) 364-5300.

Enchanted Evenings begin with feminine yet avant-garde earrings with 20 round white diamonds (.36 cts.), 130 black diamonds (1.21 cts.) and faceted onyx beads ($2,185). Coffrin Jewelers, 1829 S. Osprey Ave., Sarasota (941) 366-6871.