Black Stud Belts
Black leather belts with silver studs has been a favourite style of alternative belts for many years, but now a new colour pallette is catching up fast. A Black Leather Belt with Black Studs is becoming the preferred choice for many that follow their own individual alternative style. Black on black is a subtle way to add metal to an outfit without being too obvious. Silver or coloured studs can really stand out and make a statement when that is wanted, but black studs on a black leather belt blend in and can go unnoticed to all but the most observant.
How Are Black Studs Made?
Black studs used for studded belts are not made from a solid black metal or plastic. The studs are made from metal, often a zinc alloy, and then coated to give either a shiny or matt finish. Often the matt finish is achieved by spraying an acrylic paint over the studs or by coating them in a black powder that is then baked to create a thick hard layer. This is the process that is usually used for creating shiny coloured studs, like green, red and even shiny black.
To make shiny metallic black studs a process of electroplating is often used. Studs that have a metalic finish like black nickel or gun-metal are created by dipping the stud in a chemical bath of the required colour then an electric current is passed through it to make the chemical bond to the stud. This process is used for metalic black studs as well as copper, bronze and gun-metal. This process gives a very thin but strong and chip resistant finish.
3 Row Black Metal Studded Belts
Three rows of pyramid studs are the most popular style of studded belt and these are available in both a shiny and matte black finish. The leather belt can also have a plain or snake skin textured finish to further enhance the style of the belt.
Triple Row Shiny Black Studs on Snakeskin Belt
A snake skin textured belt with three rows of electroplated shiny black metal studs and matching buckle and eyelets is the most popular choice of all the black studded belts. It has a subtle finish that doesn’t scream out but has interest throughout the design.
Electroplating is the most durable coating available and gives a black metal finish that gives a subtle shine and is chip resistant. The snake skin texture of the belt adds further interest to the design but does not compete with the look of the studs but rather it enhances the overall alternative belt feel.
Triple Row Matte Black Studs on Black Belt
One of the most under-stated and subtle of all studded belts is the plain black leather belt with three rows of powder coated matte black pyramid studs. It is the most under-cover way to wear a studded belt without drawing any attention.
The matte black studs have an almost satin sheen to them very similar to the finish of the leather belt itself. This effect makes for a very subtle and covert studded belt that can be worn on many different occassions.
Matte Black Diamond Studs on Black Belt
With the same powder coated matte black pyramid studs on a plain black leather belt, the studs can be attached at a different angle to give a more interesting diamond shaped design. The diamond configuration allows more of the belt to be visable.
The satin sheen of the matte black studs allow them to blend in with the sheen of the leather belt, but the light that hits the studs casts subtle shadows on the surfaces that are different to the shadows of the standard three row studded belt. This simple change in stud orientation gives a completely different finish to the belt.
2 Row Black Metal Studded Belts
Belts with two rows of pyramid studs are a popular choice for a slim belt profile but maintaining a metal studded design. They are ideal for jeans with smaller belt hoops. These slim leather belts can also have a plain or snake skin textured finish to further enhance the style of the belt.
Double Row Matte Black Studs on Black Snakeskin Belt
A snake skin textured belt with two rows of powder coated matte black metal studs and matching buckle and eyelets is the slim choice of studded black leather belt. Incorporating the subtle matte black studs into this belt does not detract from the interest of the snake skin belt.
A slim belt is often a more discreet choice for a studded belt and using matte black studs helps to create a very unique and under-stated accessory.
5 Row Black Metal Studded Belts
Belts with 5 rows of miniature pyramid studs are an alternative choice for a full metal style. The smaller studs undergo the same process of electroplating or powder coating to achieve the shiny or matte metal finish.
Five Row Matte Black Studs on Black Cracked Leather Belt
Five rows of powder coated matte black studs are attached to a leather belt with a cracked leather finish to create a weathered look to a heavy metal studded belt.
Although the pyramid studs are much smaller than standard pyramid studs the finished effect is noticably different to the standard pyramid belt. More of the belt is visiable between the studs allowing the character of the belt to also come through.
An all black belt is a very unique and subtle style but just because the only colour is black the many different combinations of stud coatings and belt finish means there are plenty of design choices. Whether you want shiny metal studs or very subtle matte black studs, the size and orientations of the studs as well as the choice of the belt material finish, all these factors ensures each black belt has a very unique finish.
