Are you looking for a meaningful present for your special someone? Consider looking into a diamond necklace! It is a timeless and meaningful gift to mark your relationship with a dear one on any occasion. As the saying goes – a diamond is forever… And it is well known that it serves as a symbol of a beautiful, enduring, and eternal relationship.
A diamond necklace, as the name might imply, consists of a chain made of precious metal, with a central diamond attached by a small loop. While looking for the perfect pendant, it is easy to get swept up in the excitement of the number of options available to buy, but it is important to carefully consider some factors before you do. In this article, let us break down the basics and dive into some tips to buy the perfect pendant.
- Are You Choosing Lab-grown or Earth-grown?
Given the numerous kinds of diamonds available today, it is no simple task to zero in on the best type that you should buy. Therefore, one of the first factors you should consider is whether your necklace’s pendant should be a diamond grown in a laboratory or a conventional earth-grown one.
Lab-grown diamonds are also known as cultured diamonds. This type of diamond differs from the conventionally mined variant, as they are the products of an intricate manufacturing process. The creation of these special diamonds took the world by storm with the numerous advantages they had over earth-mined diamonds. For example, they come in all shapes, sizes, and hues, and are available at a fraction of the price that natural diamonds are.
Not to mention, they are ethically produced, and you can rest assured that your gemstone does not support harsh diamond mining. These jewels come guilt-free, and the environment would thank you for the purchase too. However, some would still opt for the earth-grown variant as they are viewed as the more classic choice.
- Popular Diamond Pendant Styles
Jewelry design trends have evolved over the decades and each design has its own distinct style and appeal. When selecting a piece of jewelry for someone else, it is recommended that you keep in mind this special someone’s general taste and leanings. Below, we explore the most popular settings and styles and look at the factors that make them appealing.
- Solitaire Diamond Pendants
Solitaire diamond pendants feature a single or solitary diamond. These pendants have and continue to be a popular choice. They are often clasped with a little loop on a jewelry chain, typically made of white gold, yellow gold, or platinum.
- Stationary Diamond Pendants
Stationary diamond pendants are designed in such a way that the gemstone appears to be resting on the necklace’s chain; it stays stationary and does not move around the chain. Consumers opt for this style for its effortless simplicity and minimalism.
- Three-Prong Martini Settings
Prongs allow the most amount of light to enter the featured diamond and reflect to the eye. As the name indicates, a three-prong martini setting pendant has delicate prongs or tines holding the stone in place to allow more of the diamond to be visible. Typically, a martini setting resembles a martini glass when viewed from the side and looks like a con with its V-shape. This setting varies from the usual basket setting as it is positioned lower. It is considered a modern style that also minimizes drooping.
- Four-prong Settings
A popular choice for diamond pendants, the added security of the additional fourth prong is its largest factor of appeal; Some prefer this setting as opposed to three solely for the firm secured positioning of the jewel. Further to this, in contrast to the martini setting, these pendants resemble baskets at the base and are flatter compared to the cone variant.
- Halo Settings
Halo setting pendants include a dazzling circle of smaller diamonds surrounding one central diamond. As you could imagine, this setting is popular owing to the illusion of a larger stone, and the glitz of the extra sparkle that the smaller gems provide.
- Consider the Length
Chains come in different lengths and are a crucial aspect to consider while selecting as it determines where the diamond pendant will sit on the wearer’s torso.
The most popular chain length for diamond pendants is between 16 and 18 inches, which rests anywhere between the average wearer’s neck and the collarbone region.
- Things To Focus on in a Diamond
It is no surprise that the quality and grade of the diamond are vital factors to consider when purchasing one, as these directly impact the look of the gem resting on your neck or your partner’s. The overall look of your diamond pendant necklace is dependent on the diamond’s high rating in, color, clarity, carat, and cut. Also, ensure that you check for the jewel’s certification.
- Color
It is recommended that you try to ensure the diamond looks white in relation to its setting. Typically, the highest quality diamonds are totally colorless, while lower grade diamonds can often have a slight yellow tint.
The diamond color s measured using a scale from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) called the color scale. This scale determines the underlying tint in a diamond and charts it all the way from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown in color).
- Clarity
As pendants are worn directly in the line of sight, clarity is a key factor in diamond pendants. Review the diamond closely and carefully to ensure no visible blemishes and inclusions are present when looking at the stone with the naked eye.
- Carat
The carat size you choose for your diamond pendant depends on your preferences as well as your budget. Of course, the larger your stone is, the more expensive it will be. If you are looking for a simple everyday pendant, choose one that is between 0.25-1 carat.
- Cut
Diamond cut quality is an important factor in a diamond’s brilliance and possibly, its most complex. The cut of your diamond is a determinant of the look of the stone as it dictates the angle at which the light hits the diamond, and this would determine its brilliance and sparkle. Paying a premium and not getting a spectacular diamond because it has light performance deficits is disappointing. To determine the best cut, an expert meticulously studies how successfully a diamond interacts with light to create stunning visual effects, such as the scattering of white light into all the colors of the rainbow. Fire, brilliance, and the amount of sparkle a diamond produces are caused by reflections within the diamond owing to the angles of the cut.
- Certification
A certificate would give you the added assurance of the stone’s quality and must never be forgotten. Make sure to look for a diamond with a GIA or AGS certification as these are reliable grading entities; Ensuring that your stone has this certificate helps to confirm that you get the quality you are promised and your money’s worth.
- Conclusion
And that’s that! Armed with this knowledge, you are all set to find your perfect diamond pendant necklace. Keep in mind the 4C’s along with the tips shared above and rest assured that your partner will be awestruck with your taste in jewelry.