The Great Gift

A diamond pendant necklace is among the most desirable of gifts you can give to a woman. While a diamond is most commonly associated with engagement rings and wedding bands, it is common for people to purchase a diamond pendant necklace as either their main item of jewelry or to accentuate other items of diamond jewelry such as diamond stud earrings or tennis bracelets. Diamond pendants are always in fashion. Some people will keep their diamond pendant for special occasions, while many people wear their diamond pendant necklaces on a daily basis. CaratsDirect2U offers so many pendants to choose from that the difficulty lies in choosing the right one, whether you are purchasing it for yourself or as a gift for someone. We have therefore set out some great tips to take into account when purchasing a diamond pendant.

Choosing the Chain

When choosing a chain there are many choices available regarding the type of chain, the metal type and the length. Most chains are either snake or rope, with the main difference being that the links in a snake chain are smaller than the rope chain. The most common metal type is 14K white gold, although yellow gold will suit either a yellow fancy color stone or someone with a darker skin tone. The most common length for a diamond pendant chain is 18 inches, which hangs just over the collarbone. Some may want their pendant to be more noticeable, so having a 16inch chain which hangs high on the neck, usually called a choker, could be the right option. If you decide to buy a 16inch chain, a smaller stone is recommended so as not to overwhelm the wearer. A chain over 20 inches long is usually worn over a t-shirt or blouse and is quite a rare choice among diamond pendant wearers. They are likely to suit particularly large stones rather than smaller diamonds.

The Diamond Pendant Setting

The most popular and common setting for a diamond necklace pendant, similarly to the diamond engagement ring, is the solitaire setting. It is likely to suit almost anyone’s taste and will always look impressive dangling from someone’s neck. The invisible setting pendant is more unique. This setting contains several expertly-set small diamonds on one pendant. We have written an insightful article on invisible setting diamond jewelry so you know what to look out for.

Choosing the Diamond

When buying any item of jewelry, particularly a noticeable and fashionable piece such as the diamond pendant, it is important to take into account the Four C’s of diamond jewelry; color, carat weight, clarity and cut. Remember, it always helps to have a budget in mind when deciding which type of diamond you would like for your pendant. Here are some ideas on how to implement the Four C’s when choosing diamond:

Color

If you are looking for a white diamond, then you will need to choose between a high color grading of D-E (colorless) or a lower grading of L-M (faint color visible). If the person you are purchasing for would appreciate a fancy color diamond, then it is simply a question of taste. Blue and yellow are the most popular diamond colors for a pendant, although if you are buying a gift for someone who would prefer a green or brown diamond, they are also available.

Carat Weight

The carat weight of a diamond always has the biggest influence on the total price of the piece of jewelry. A larger stone may not always suit the wearer best so it is sometimes better to buy a smaller diamond with a higher clarity and color grading.

Cut

The cut, also called the shape, is also purely a question of taste. It is important to bear in mind that round diamonds are always more expensive than other popular cuts such as the oval, princess or cushion cut.

Clarity

Similarly to the color grading, you will need to decide between a high clarity grading, such as IF-VVS1 (flawless or very hard to see inclusions) to I1-I3 (has inclusions that can be noticed with the naked eye). Have in mind that the inclusions (imperfections) are less visible once the diamond is mounted onto a piece of jewelry. Buying an SI1-SI2 (contains inclusions that are hard to see with the naked eye) clarity graded diamond will save you money and still look great on a pendant.

Maximizing Your Budget

When taking into account the different attributes of a diamond pendant and the Four C’s, it may be difficult to decide the best way to buy the ideal diamond pendant and fit it into your budget at the same time. Here are 3 ways to maximize your budget:

1. Clarity Enhanced Diamonds

Diamonds that have undergone the clarity enhancement process are becoming increasingly popular as you can save up to 50% or more on the purchase price. For example, a round diamond solitaire pendant necklace set in 14K white gold with a 1.63 Ct diamond that has undergone the clarity enhancement, has an H Color and SI2 clarity grading costs $4,716. A non-enhanced round diamond solitaire pendant necklace set in 14K white gold with a 1.57 carat diamond and F Color, SI1 Clarity grading costs $8,263. Therefore, you can save almost 60% by purchasing the clarity enhanced diamond pendant with a similar color and clarity grading.

2. Color Treated Diamonds

Similarly to clarity enhanced diamonds, purchasing fancy color treated diamonds are a great way to maximize your budget. You can usually save around 30% by purchasing a diamond that has undergone either the irradiated or HPHT color enhancement processes. Purchasing a color treated diamond therefore allows you to get a larger stone for your budget. You can find useful articles about these processes in the diamond education section of our website.

3. Lower Clarity Grading

Another way to save is to buy a diamond with a slightly lower clarity grading. For example, the difference in cost between an SI3 and I1 diamond will usually be 20-25%, depending on the color grading. This is a great way to maximize your budget and still get a beautiful diamond pendant.

If you have any questions about diamond pendant necklaces or any other aspects of diamond jewelry, we can always be contacted on 1-800-557-7095 where one of our expert diamond jewelers will be happy to assist you. Alternatively, you can email us at sales@caratsdirect2u.com with any questions you may have.