There is no gift quite like a diamond necklace
for any special occasion. It takes a keen eye to spot the very best diamond you
can buy, so review the diamond very closely as you browse. You want a diamond
to be right for the value, and one that gives off an impressive sparkle
(brilliance, as we say in the industry) and size. Never choose a diamond from a
vendor that doesn't have a reputation as unblemished as your ideal diamond, as
you can never be sure of their trustworthiness. For style choices, consider the
tastes and preferences of the recipient. There are various gold necklace
designs, as well as options in other precious metals, and we will do our best
to give you a rock-solid guide to them all here. Let's start with the basics:
What is a Solitaire Necklace?
As you have probably guessed, it is a necklace
with a diamond in the center or cluster, attached by a tiny loop or sliding in to
a jewellery chain that is usually made from a precious metal like platinum or
gold. The diamond, or diamonds, are usually set into a pendant using one of a
range of setting styles, and there are lots of options to be considered for the
chain itself. With various styles of diamond necklace to choose from, the
following is a general (but not exhaustive) list of what you might find:
What is a solitaire pendant?
A solitaire pendant is a necklace with a single
gemstone, which is usually a diamond. The gemstone takes pride of place alone
on a jewellery chain that is usually made of platinum, yellow gold or white
gold. This type of diamond necklace could feature a stone as small as 0.10
Carat up to 1.50 Carat and beyond, so there are lots of options for all tastes
and budgets.
Choosing the right diamond for your diamond
solitaire necklace comes down to what the recipient's preferences are and,
ultimately, what you can afford. There are, however, some rules that should be
kept in mind regardless of what stone you are after. You should be looking for
a well-balance between the quality of diamond, size, and price. Assess your diamond
using the following parameters:
Certification
: You should always look for a diamond with a GIA,
IGI or EGL (Jewellery Certificate) certification. These grading entities are
the most reputable, which means you get greater assurance that the quality
you're promised is actually delivered. This is where all the specifications and
characteristics of a given stone have been professionally assessed by a trained
and fully qualified gemologist in controlled conditions. Read More
Cut:
A well-cut diamond makes maximum use of the
light that strikes its many pavilions. The result is that the light is
reflected back through the table of the diamond and into the eye of the
observer. The best-cut stones, depending on the shape and certifying body, are
Excellent and Ideal. However, even if the vendor claims a
diamond has this certification, you should still inspect it for
yourself, preferably through high-resolution imagery. If necessary, ask for
expert help to inspect the stone. Read More
Colour:
The colour of the white diamond refers to the
lack of intrinsic colour found in a stone. Most diamonds will appear devoid of
colour, but there will always be hints of either brown or yellow. There are
some coloured stones, like the black diamond, but be warned that stones with a
natural colour are often incredibly valuable - the most expensive blue diamond in
the world, the Hope Diamond, is worth an estimated $350 million! Read More
GIA Colour Scale
D
E
F
G
H
I
Clarity:
Since they are continuously in the line of sight
of onlookers, clarity is of paramount importance in a diamond necklace. Again,
close inspection of the diamond should reveal if there are any blemishes and
inclusions visible to the naked eye. Amount of effect of diamond clarity
depends on size of diamonds also. Normally VS2 is eye clean diamond but smaller
diamond also look eye clean in lower clarity grades. Read More
IF
Internally flawless.
VVS1
Very, very slight inclusion.
VVS2
Very, very slight inclusion.
VS1
Very slight inclusion.
VS2
Very slight inclusion.
SI1
Slight inclusion
SI2
Slight inclusion
I1
Inclusion
GIA Clarity Scale
Shape:
The most popular diamond shapes for a solitaire
necklace are the Round and Princess cut, but the Pear shape also has its fans.
The shape you choose will have an impact on the setting style. The best advice
is to consider several options and see which you think will work best. If
you're having difficulty deciding, you can't go wrong with a well-cut Round
diamond. Read More
Size
: There is no right answer when considering what
size the diamond should be for a solitaire necklace. What you need to
understand, however, is that a larger Carat weight will increase the price
substantially. Bigger is not always better, but the balance of fire-brilliance
and size of the diamond should be considered. However, a larger stone in right
quality will have a more prominent appearance. As a general rule, a
small-medium size is good for everyday use, while a larger diamond may work
better for a classy night out. Use out Interactive tool to decide the size.
Occasion and outfit also very important consideration when deciding the ring
size of the necklace.
- 0.10
- 0.20
- 0.30
- 0.40
- 0.50
- 0.60
- 0.70
- 0.80
- 0.90
- 1.00
- 1.25
- 1.50
- 1.75
- 2.00
Round
From the hands of an expert cutter, the Round Brilliant diamond delivers on its promise of "beauty and brilliance." This is the classic shape for diamonds and a well-cut Round Brilliant maximizes light return better than most other shapes and creates a dazzling display, that will surely make her heart skip a beat and will make her friends jealous.
Princess
The Princess Cut combines the liveliness of a Round diamond and the contemporary shape of an Emerald or Square Cut to create one of the most brilliant fancy shapes of all. Currently, the Princess Cut is the second most sought-after shape and it is still rising in demand.
There are various different setting styles for
pendants, and popular ones usually utilise prongs because they allow the
maximum light to enter the diamond and create that dazzling sparkle. The most
common type of pronged setting utilises four prongs, but you will also find
three-prong and six-prong settings that give different style results. It's
important that the setting you choose is suitable for the usage the recipient
will have for their necklace - prong settings may look great, but they can lack
the durability for regular day-to-day use. The last thing you want is for the
diamond to fall out of the necklace and get lost. Also Some popular alternative setting types
include:
: multiple diamonds are set into a channel made out of a
pair of metal strips - it's an attractive way to incorporate multiple stones. A
diamond cross necklace is often set using this method, creating a striking
aesthetic that also portrays your spiritual beliefs.
Bezel Settings: an elevated metal collar wraps around the rim of
the diamond for a complete metal edging - robust and durable enough for regular
use, though you lose a little of the stone's sparkle since the metal blocks
some of the light from getting to it.
: the diamond is set into a drilled hole in the
pendant so that it sits 'flush' with the pendant surface - a very secure
setting that minimises the risk of the diamond chipping or falling out, though
again the stone doesn't get as much light as it could.
Pavé Settings
: a setting in which numerous small diamonds
'pave' the pendant - an elegant, timeless style that is dazzling to behold.
How do I choose the right chain?
There are various metal choices available for
your chain and your pendant. Both 9K and 18K gold are robust enough for
day-to-day wear, and gold colours include white, rose and yellow. Pendant
chains can also be bought in platinum, though this usually pushes the price
higher than necessary. You should bear in mind, however, that platinum is a
popular contemporary choice in the modern market, though white gold does the
job just as well. These colours are very popular for solitaire diamond
necklaces today, but if the recipient prefers a more vintage aesthetic, the
traditional look of yellow gold is a good way to go. Your decision should be
made based on the recipient's preferences.
At Abelini, we offer a choice of three chain
link types:
The Cable Link
: the most common jewellery chain, this is
available in a wide range of widths and thicknesses. The links are oval-shaped,
with an aesthetic not unlike the paper clip chains we all made in primary
school. It's durable and versatile, and doesn't kink easily.
The Curb Link
: another common choice, this chain is similar in
construction to the cable link, but the individual links are flatter in
appearance. It's another durable chain, but it tends to be considered a more
'masculine' option, so makes a great choice for men's jewellery.
The Spiga Link
: also known as the wheat link, this option comes
in a range of widths and lengths that never fail to look beautiful. The spiga
link achieves a sparkle unlike any other, which differentiates it from the
cable and curb link chain. It's another durable option that performs superbly
as a gold necklace for women.
What type of clasp is best?
The two most common types of clasp are the
spring ring and the lobster. Spring ring is used for finer and delicate chain.
The lobster clasp, on the other hand is the more preferred option for heavy and
thick chain. It's easy to use, it's durable and heavy-duty, and it is the
safest all-round option there is. Lobster clasps are usually soldered onto the
chain, and they are better for safety than the spring ring option. Some other
options you may find are:
S-Hook - another solid option to go
with.
Figure-eight safety catches - these
are great, but not available for all chain types.
Magnetic clasps - easy to put on and
take off, but you run the risk of losing your necklace with one of
these.
What other important considerations are there?
It's vital that you establish whether the chain
is hollow, solid, semi-solid or plated. If, for example, you buy a 9kt yellow
gold chain with 18kt gold plating, the chain will look more yellow and rich...
at least, to begin with. Plating always wears off eventually, so if you want
the chain to look its best for the long term, this may not be the best option
to choose.
Hollow chains, sometimes known as 'semi-solid',
look the same as other chains but are usually much lighter when you hold them.
That's because the inside of the metal in each link is hollow to reduce the
price. You'll find lots of thick-looking chains are made this way, and the
problem is that hollow chains are usually quite brittle and prone to breaking.
They are also more prone to denting, and it isn't easy to fix them to a
satisfactory standard.
Solid chains are the way to go, because they are
more likely to last a lifetime. In a necklace, there are many moving parts that
are constantly rubbing together as you go about your business. A solid chain
will hold up best against wear and tear, so it is the best option for the long
term. Look for chains that the vendor sells with a guarantee - if they're
willing to back their product, that can be a great indication of their
confidence in the craftsmanship. Look closely at the guarantee, however, as it
may only ensure the product is free from manufacturing defects, and not offer
any cover for wear and tear/breaking.
Which chain length should I choose?
The standard chain length for a diamond necklace
with a pendant is 16 inches, but there are other options available. The 16-inch
option is usually correct for leaving the pendant resting nicely on the
collarbone, but there will be variations in people's neck/shoulders that can
have an impact on this. If you want a little flexibility in the length, you can
choose a longer chain with jump rings. These types of chain have two rings
towards the end of the chain, set an inch or so apart, giving you the ability
to adjust the chain from, for example, 18 inches to 16 inches. This makes a
necklace more versatile and is a good option for some.
At Abelini, we offer a wide selection of chain
lengths to give you a range of options depending on practical considerations
and also style choices. For some people, a chain which causes the pendant to
hang lower is a classy, traditional aesthetic that fits their needs well. For
this, we offer 30-inch chains that hang around the diaphragm, and even 36-inch
ones that hang down to the navel. There are also chains that range from 17
inches through to 24, so you have no shortage of options to find the length
that works for you.
When should you buy a diamond necklace?
A beautiful diamond necklace makes a stunning
and memorable gift. With their timeless design and effortless appeal, diamond
necklaces are commonly kept as family heirlooms, passed down from one generation
to the next. Few items of jewellery look quite as impressive and breathtaking
as a diamond necklace, and the recipient of a gift will be proud to wear their
new necklace at dressy events, celebrations or even just their day-to-day life.
Consider buying a diamond necklace as a gift for any of the following special
occasions:
Wedding anniversary - Reserve this gift for landmark anniversaries like the 5th, 10th, 15th, etc. It can be a great way to mark a special milestone in your life with your partner.
Birthday -
Again, landmark birthdays like someone's 21st, 30th, 50th or 70th are ideal for such a luxury gift. Of course, if you like to treat your loved ones, a diamond necklace will be a welcome gift for any birthday.
Valentine's Day -
Spoil your loved one on the most romantic of days by sweeping them off their feet with a beautiful diamond necklace that will help cement your special place in their heart. Speaking of which, a heart necklace with diamonds can be a perfect choice for a Valentine's Day gift!
Graduation -
Let them know how proud you are of their achievement with the gift of a beautiful diamond ring that they can cherish throughout their journey into adulthood.
Retirement -
Mark this important occasion with a gift that represents the true value of their life's work. A diamond necklace will show that you recognise all they have achieved, and provide a gift to be loved throughout those restful retirement years.
A promotion at work -
Getting promoted can be a huge achievement for anyone, and with the gift of a diamond necklace you can show someone you care about that you cherish and admire them for their achievement.
These are just a few suggestions of occasions where a diamond necklace can make an excellent gift. There are many others, but the bottom line is that a diamond necklace is a powerful way to express fondness or appreciation for a loved one. If you want to tell them you love them with a special gift, this could be the ideal way to do it. Just make sure you follow the advice of this guide carefully to ensure you are getting the very best diamond necklace for the occasion and the person. There are various pitfalls to be avoided throughout the process of buying a diamond necklace, and by following our guide you will be able to avoid them and get a quality, elegant product that will make the recipient happy for years to come.