Sharp, celestial and endlessly photographed — the Skye Kite®. This best-selling Herkimer diamond engagement ring set centers a natural, raw Herkimer stone — a double-terminated quartz crystal whose gray-and-black inclusions read like a salt-and-pepper diamond — cut to a crisp art-deco kite and paired with a matching CZ band. Both rings are 14K rose gold vermeil over sterling silver 925, so warm blush metal wraps a cool, star-flecked center. Because every Herkimer grows alone, no two Skye stacks ever read exactly alike.
Natural Herkimer quartz
Kite cut · 6×10mm
Salt-and-pepper look
Art-deco design
Matching band set
14K rose gold vermeil
An art-deco kite, tilted to the stars
The kite cut is pure geometry — a four-sided rhombus set on the diagonal so the stone points up the finger and catches light from unexpected angles. It is one of the most striking silhouettes in alternative bridal, at once modern and vintage, and it has made the Skye Kite® one of our most-loved designs. If clean angular shapes speak to you, explore the full kite-cut Herkimer diamond engagement rings edit and our wider nature-inspired engagement rings.
The engagement ring
Holds the kite-cut natural Herkimer center (about 6 × 10 mm, roughly 1.6ct) in a prong setting — the statement piece and focal point of the set.
The matching band
A slim CZ-set band designed to nest against the kite and complete the stack. Beautiful worn together or on its own as a delicate everyday ring.
The natural Herkimer stone
A Herkimer “diamond” is not a diamond — it is the historic trade name for a naturally faceted, double-terminated quartz crystal first found in Herkimer County, New York. Formed over roughly 500 million years in dolostone pockets, each crystal grows with its own drifting pattern of gray, black and silvery inclusions. That natural, geometric, diamond-like shape in the rough is where the name comes from — and it is why a Herkimer reads so convincingly as salt-and-pepper: genuine natural quartz at around 7.5 on the Mohs scale. For the full backstory, read our guide on what a Herkimer diamond is, or browse the matching pieces in our Herkimer diamond couples rings.
Salt-and-pepper sparkle, framed in CZ
A genuine salt-and-pepper diamond at this scale climbs well into four figures; the Skye Kite® captures the same smoky, galaxy-in-glass look at a price that is easy to love. Bright simulated diamond (CZ) accents run along the band, ringing the kite in crisp white light so the moody center reads even deeper. If you are choosing between the two stones, our comparison of Herkimer diamond vs salt-and-pepper diamond lays it out clearly.
Warm rose gold vermeil
Both rings are 14K rose gold vermeil over sterling silver 925 — real gold bonded over a solid silver core. Rose gold against a cool gray center is a deliberate romance: the blush warmth softens the smoke of the stone and makes the kite glow. It is the look of fine gold jewelry at a price that keeps the yes easy.
What the Herkimer stone symbolizes
Herkimer quartz has been carried for centuries as a stone of clarity, attunement and honest connection — often used in meditation to feel more aligned and clear-headed. For a proposal, that authenticity is the point: a center whose beauty is its raw, unrepeatable character. Wondering how it wears day to day? Our note on whether Herkimer diamond rings are durable covers care and longevity.
Specifications
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Set includes Engagement ring + matching CZ band
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Center stone Natural Herkimer quartz (trade name Herkimer diamond; not a diamond)
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Cut Kite (rhombus, diagonal orientation)
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Center size Approx. 6 × 10 mm (about 1.6ct)
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Center character Gray, black and white inclusions (salt-and-pepper look)
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Hardness About 7.5 on the Mohs scale (natural quartz)
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Accents Simulated diamond (CZ)
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Aesthetic Art-deco, celestial, alternative-bridal
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Metal 14K rose gold vermeil over sterling silver 925 (both rings)
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Fit Comfort-fit band profile
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One-of-a-kind Each Herkimer is naturally unique; pattern will vary
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Sourcing Ethically sourced, conflict-free stones
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Included Free luxury velvet gift box & lifetime warranty
Aquamarise vermeil is real gold over sterling silver 925 — the rich, golden look you love, at a price that makes it easy to say yes. Keep it luminous with a little care: remove before showering, swimming, or exercise, avoid contact with lotions and fragrance, and store dry between wears. Want gold all the way through? The same design is also available in solid gold.
Sizing & care
Choose your size at checkout, and if you are between sizes or unsure, message us before ordering — we are glad to help, and resizing is available starting from a modest fee. The corners of a kite are the most exposed part of any faceted stone, so treat the set gently: remove it for sport, heavy lifting and housework, keep it away from harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners, and clean with a soft cloth and warm water. Store the two rings apart so prongs and accents do not catch.
Frequently asked questions
Is the center stone a real diamond?
No. “Herkimer diamond” is a historic trade name for a naturally clear, double-terminated quartz crystal — the “diamond” refers to its diamond-like shape when found in the rock, not the material. Your center is genuine natural quartz, chosen for its salt-and-pepper character.
Is this a salt-and-pepper diamond ring?
It captures the salt-and-pepper diamond aesthetic using a natural Herkimer quartz center rather than a diamond. The speckled gray-and-black look reads the same to the eye, at a far more accessible price. A genuine salt-and-pepper diamond version in solid gold is available on request.
Why the kite cut?
The kite is a four-sided shape set on the diagonal so the stone points up the finger and catches light from unusual angles — a bold, geometric, art-deco silhouette that has made the Skye Kite® one of our most-loved designs.
Does this come as a set?
Yes — you receive the kite Herkimer engagement ring plus a matching CZ band designed to nest against it. The band can also be worn on its own as a delicate everyday ring.
What metal is the set made from?
Both rings are 14K rose gold vermeil over sterling silver 925 — real gold over a solid silver core, for the warm rose-gold look at an easy-to-love price.
What is rose gold vermeil?
Rose gold vermeil is real 14K gold bonded over sterling silver 925. You get the rich, golden look you love at an easier price than solid gold. If you would like gold all the way through, the same design is also available in solid gold.
Will my stone look exactly like the photos?
It will share the same salt-and-pepper character, but the exact pattern is one of a kind — that is the nature of a natural Herkimer. No two crystals are identical, so yours is truly unique.
How durable is the Herkimer for daily wear?
Herkimer quartz sits at about 7.5 on the Mohs scale — comparable to citrine or amethyst and suitable for everyday wear with sensible care. The kite corners are the most exposed points, so avoid hard knocks and remove it for rough activity.
Are the accent stones real diamonds?
No — the band accents are simulated diamond (CZ), chosen for crisp, bright, budget-friendly sparkle. Only the Herkimer center is genuine natural quartz.
Can I choose my stone character?
Where a preference option is offered at checkout, select lighter or darker inclusions and we will do our best to match. You are also welcome to message us before ordering to see available stones.
What size should I order?
Select your ring size at checkout. If you are unsure or between sizes, contact us for guidance. Resizing is available and starts from a modest fee.
Are the stones ethically sourced?
Yes. All of our stones are ethically sourced and conflict-free, so you can wear the set with complete peace of mind.
Does it arrive gift-ready?
Every order ships in a free luxury velvet gift box and is backed by our lifetime warranty — ready for a proposal or to give as a keepsake.
