The ring is made of solid 18k gold. the black metal is 18k white gold with a layer of black rhodium over it. Rhodium is a form of platinum. It is very durable and just about the same price as platinum. There are 52 round melee diamonds in the ring and one 3/4 carat marquis. The total diamond weight is 1.61 carats. The Marquis is FLOATING in side brackets with the points bare. This gives the design a very dangerous look but the stone is protected by the sides of the ring and it would be very difficult to damage the stone. The brackets holding the stone are riveted on and all these rivets are real rivets.