Marquise dark gray moissanite studs, each held north–south in a milgrain frame with a star at the crest and natural black onyx marquise rays fanning out around it. Solid 925 sterling silver with a rhodium finish, so the bright metal throws the dark stones forward.
Dark Gray Moissanite
Natural Black Onyx
Marquise Cut
Solid 925 Sterling Silver
Rhodium Finish
Post & Butterfly Backs
How the Pair Is Built
Star Crest
A single round accent set in a five-point star sits at the top of each earring, above the frame.
Marquise Center
The center stone runs north–south inside a milgrain frame, ringed by a halo of small round accents.
Ray Points
Marquise rays fan out from the frame, and a scalloped lower edge closes on one more marquise at the point.
The pair is the earring half of the Nightbriar family and repeats the ring's vocabulary at a smaller scale — the milgrain frame, the marquise rays, the star. They wear as everyday studs rather than occasion pieces. Our guides to gothic earrings and earring types cover where a stud like this sits among the alternatives.
The Dark Gray Moissanite and Black Onyx
Moissanite is silicon carbide, lab-grown, and at 9.25 on the Mohs scale it is harder than every gemstone except diamond. It also has a higher refractive index than diamond, which is why it throws more rainbow fire. Our guide to moissanite meaning covers the stone in more depth.
This one is cut in a dark gray — a smoky, storm-cloud tone that holds the brilliance of a clear moissanite while reading almost black at a distance. Against bright rhodium and white accents it carries the whole piece.
Natural black onyx marquises flank the center. Onyx is the classic gothic stone — opaque, evenly black, and a deliberate contrast to the gray fire beside it. Our black onyx guide and our wider guide to black gemstones cover the material.
Each center stone is marquise cut and set north–south, the most elongating orientation — the same reasoning our guide to marquise cuts sets out for rings applies here.
Metal and Stones
Both earrings are solid 925 sterling silver with a rhodium finish — the same platinum-group metal used on white gold. The rhodium gives the bright white surface and shields the silver underneath from tarnishing.
The marquise rays and the point below the frame are natural black onyx. The white accents — the halo of rounds around the frame, the pavé along the upper edge, and the stone in the star — are cubic zirconia. Moissanite or lab-grown diamond accents are available as a custom order. Our comparison of moissanite versus cubic zirconia explains why the two are used in different places here.
Part of our earrings collection, alongside the rest of our sterling silver jewelry and our gemstone jewelry.
Specifications
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Style: Stud earrings, sold as a pair
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Center stones: Dark gray moissanite, marquise cut, set north–south
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Accent stones: Natural black onyx marquises; cubic zirconia throughout
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Metal: Solid 925 sterling silver, rhodium finish
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Setting: Milgrain frame with marquise rays and a star crest
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Fastening: Posts with butterfly push-backs
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Hardness: 9.25 on the Mohs scale (moissanite)
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Presentation: Free luxury velvet jewelry box
Care
Moissanite is 9.25 on the Mohs scale and among the most durable stones available. Clean with warm water, mild soap and a soft brush — our guide to cleaning sterling silver covers the method. Avoid abrasive polishes and chlorine, which wear the rhodium finish, and store the pair in its velvet box rather than loose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the moissanite real?
Yes. Moissanite is a genuine gemstone — silicon carbide — lab-grown rather than mined. It is not a diamond and not a diamond simulant in the cubic zirconia sense; it is its own mineral, harder than everything except diamond.
What does dark gray moissanite look like?
Smoky and storm-colored. It keeps the fire of a clear moissanite but reads close to black from a distance, so it shifts between gray and near-black depending on the light.
Is the black onyx natural?
Yes. The marquise rays flanking the center stone are natural black onyx.
Are the white accent stones diamonds?
No. They are cubic zirconia. Moissanite or lab-grown diamond accents are available as a custom order.
What is it made of?
Solid 925 sterling silver throughout, hallmarked, with a rhodium finish for a bright white surface. No brass or base metal.
Will the silver tarnish?
The rhodium finish acts as a barrier, so it resists the darkening untreated sterling develops. The finish does wear thin after years of daily wear — we can refinish the piece when it does.
What kind of earring backs do they have?
Posts with butterfly push-backs. The post is solid sterling silver, and the backs are included.
Are they sold as a pair?
Yes — the price is for the pair, and both earrings ship together in one box.
Do they match the Nightbriar ring set?
Yes. The earrings share the milgrain frame, marquise rays and star detail of the Nightbriar rings in the same colorway, so the pieces read as one family.
Are they heavy to wear?
No. They are studs rather than drops, so the weight sits against the lobe instead of pulling on it, and they can be worn all day.
Are the stones ethically sourced?
Yes. All Aquamarise stones are conflict-free and responsibly sourced, and every order arrives in a free luxury velvet jewelry box.
