After getting to nearly 2000 posts in can appreciate that the thread is getting a bit long to go through so below is a thread summary with some of the important info from the threadit is very tough to generalize ranges for what specs work well together as there are so many considerations and if you have unnecessarily small ranges you will leave out many amazing diamonds at great values.So below are some VERY general guidelines that will help avoid duds. These only apply to rounds, with fancy shapes it is near impossible to generalize the proportions.Table: 52-61% (60-61% and 52-54% are hard to find nice diamonds as there are limited other proportions that work well)Larger tables work well with shallower crowns and smaller tables with steeper crownsDepth: 59-62.5% (59-60.5% will be tougher to find other proportions that work well)Shallower diamonds work better with larger tables and shallower crowns, deeper diamonds work better with smaller tables and steeper crownsCrown Angles: 32.5-36 (32.5-33.5 and 35.5-36 are harder to pair with pavilion angles) typically shallower crowns work well with steeper pavilions and vice versa.-crown angles are rounded by .1 with GIA diamonds which can affect how they work together, There is no real way for most to know how they were rounded and would be something to discuss with the person supplying the diamond.-if the crown is too shallow for the pavilion the diamond will look flat, it will show good brilliance but will sacrifice fire and scintillation. This may be beneficial for very low color diamonds.-If the crown is too steep for the pavilion there will be light leakage.Pavilion angle: 40.5-41.2 (40.5 and 41-41.2 are harder to pair with crown angles) steeper pavilions work well with shallower crowns and vice versa.-pavilion angles are rounded by .1 with GIA diamonds which can affect how they work together with other proportions.Star and lower half facets: this will control how big/small the contrast stars show in the face up view. I woudnt pay to much consideration to these as they dont affect the look all to much.Girdle: typically thin to slight thick work best, excessively thick girdles will make poor use of the diamonds weight and the diamond will look smaller for its carat weight.Girdles that are too thin can pose a risk of chipping depending on the ring design.Culet: most will have a pointed or no culet. If the culet is too large it can show in the face up position as a dark spot in the center and can look like an inclusion.Diamond Measurement (Girdle diameter): Is how large the diamond will look in the face up position. This can some times be a great indication how the sum of the diamonds proportions work together.-diamonds with excessively large or small girdle diameters will have a weak link in the proportions and will likely have low light performance.-there are many sites that list average sizes for a given carat weight-you would want to optimize the face up size given the carat weight without compromising the diamonds light performanceCarat Weight:-diamond prices increase at certain key weights 1ct, 1.5ct, 2ct ect-deals can be found in weights just under these markers but for some sizes it is very hard to find diamonds at these weight as they are rarely cut to this weight.-diamonds at .99 and 1.49 may seem optimal but would be very very rare as most would likely have added weight to get up to the higher threshold.-rather than chasing carat weight it can be more beneficial to find lower weight that have the same face up size (provided still cut well), as they will look the same and be priced less.Polish and Symmetry:-typically polish and symmetry dont contribute much to the light performance of the diamond. So the second highest grade will be ok as well provided an adequate discount is associated.Fluorescence:-in most instances will not affect the light performance of the diamond, aside from rare instances where they cause a milky or hazy appearance.-are a matter of personal preference as they will glow blue in black light-slight and negligible will almost certainly not affect the diamond at all.-medium and higher can make diamonds with a yellow undertone seem whiter in UV environments, though many grading labs have UV in their grading setup so the lab will likely have already incorporated the effects into the grade.-studies have shown with strong and very strong fluorescence there have been up to a 2 grade difference in color based on fluorescence. This is important as the price of the diamond should be reflective of this.-eg a strong fluorescence I color cold be a J or even K without UV so you would not want to pay I color prices.-fluorescence in diamonds with high color should have much larger discountsDiamond color:-it is all personal preference there is no better or worse diamond color it all depends on what you like.-Personally I like the G-I range even J with a great cut and proportions as to me they offer the best combination of look and value.-Color is graded with the diamond face down in a white paper tray which greatly over states the appearance of color.-one color grade in a set diamond and it's hard to see a difference between in the D-I range-color in no way affects the light performance.-the proportions of the diamond can be optimized to show less color. Ie deeper diamonds show more color shallower less-For I color and lower alot can go wrong so it is strong advised to work with a professional.-Diamond color can be based on a yellow or brown undertone and brown show much more all else the same so should be avoided.Diamond clarity:-Clarity is graded under 10x magnification so it is often the case that unless viewed under magnification an SI2 will look the same as a flawless diamond.-Clarity has no impact on light performance unless the inclusions are very large and block light-FL-VS1 will typically have inclusions that are very very hard if not impossible for some one without experience to see under magnification. Will definitely be eye clean.-VS2-SI1 will typically have inclusions that are hard to see under magnification for someone without experience, should be eye clean in almost all instances.-SI2: are about 30% eye clean, the inclusions for the most part will be easily found under 10x magnification for some one without experience.-I1 and less: will almost never be eye clean, I would almost never suggest going this low as you would be better to change other aspects.-If you are shopping under SI1 you will likely want to work with a professional as lots of issues can come up.-It would be rare for diamonds SI2 and higher to have durability issues.-Are certain inclusions better than others: each inclusions type can be better or worse so it all depends on the inclusion.-Are more or less inclusions better: the grade given for clarity factors in all the inclusions which add up to the total grade so neither is better. in lower grades I tend to prefer more smaller inclusions as they are harder to see-Inclusions to avoid: I would only suggest avoiding diamonds that mention "Clarity grade is based on clouds that are not shown" as this almost always indicates the diamond is hazyDiamond certificate date:-the date the diamond was graded can offer some insight into the quality of the diamond. An old certificate date can suggest that the diamond hasnt sold for a long time.which can suggest that it is undesirable, that it has been taken as a trade in or in some instances that it was priced too high for a number of years and that is why it didnt sell.Clarity Plots:-When looking at the clarity plot, it is very important to understand what their intended purpose is. These plots are not designed to offer insight into how the diamond will look; rather they are there to aid members of the trade in finding the locations of the inclusions to verify the diamond. The clarity plots do not provide an accurate representation of how the diamond will look for a variety of reasons. Firstl, they are 2D where as a diamond is 3D so they do not show the precise location of the inclusions. Secondly, the inclusions are marked in red, whereas in reality they are often clear, white or grey. Lastly, the markings on the plots are symbolic representations and therefore these symbols do not accurately reflect how the inclusions look in real life; in certain instances, the clarity plot may drastically overstate the size of the inclusion.Diamond Cut:-This tend to be one of the most important and misunderstood aspects of a diamond.-Cut is solely responsible for light performance, and light performance is the combination of brilliance, fire and scintillation.-A well rounded diamond will have the best combination of these three-diamond cut is the sum of the proportions and how they relate to light performance.-many retailers call every diamond with a labs top grade ideal which is far from the truth as even in GIA excellent there is huge variation in cut quality.-a diamonds light performance can be show via an ASET image which color codes the brilliance of the light, though these are rarely provided.-a good diamond retailer should be able to show you the ASET image in person-diamond hearts and arrows shows optical symmetry which dosent equate to light performance, but a diamond with a nice hearts and arrows patter with almost always have great light performance.-well cut diamonds will typically look larger as they are brighter and also make more efficient use of the diamond weight-table, depth, crown and pavilion are most responsible for cut-fancy shape diamonds are rarely graded for cut as there are to many factor and little industry consensus on qualifications.-online tools like the HCA cut advisor are decent at weeding out poor cut diamonds (score less than 2) but should never be used to choose between qualifying diamonds as the parameters are way way to general.As well it should be noted that this tool gives preference to shallow crowns which can lead to sub-optimal diamonds when paired with shallow pavilions.Diamond Grading Lab-this is incredibly important as the value of diamond is determined by the grading and if it is not done accurately you will be sure to be getting terrible value-Both GIA and AGS are interchangeably well respected for accuracy.-The most common mis nomer is that GIA and AGS diamonds are more expensive. The fee for GIA or AGS to grade a diamond under 3cts is less than $200usd.So price differences more than this for similar specs from other labs would likely be based on grading inaccuracy. We suggest researching the grading lab if other than GIA or AGS and checking reviews to ensure their grading is accurate.If you are unsure it is best to have the diamond examined by an independent appraiser.I typically get asked what is the best place to buy diamonds-to keep this thread info only I wont provide opinions on places to buy diamonds as we sell diamonds to both stores and direct so my opinion could be construed as biased. I can list a few tips.-typically higher overhead equates to higher prices, so unless the brand and or store experience is paramount to your decision you can find better value.-you will ideally want a source of unbiased advice as you should be relying on your vendor to choose the best diamond for you and not for them.-diamond prices are fairly standardized so I would be wary of massive sales on diamonds.-ideally you want a vendor that carries GIA and AGS graded diamonds-Ultimately the choice of the best place to buy is one that meets your needs the best in terms of a balance between expert service and price.Warranties:-these should be evaluated with caution as they typically arent worth the paper they are printed on. Most only cover things that rarely if every happen like manufacturing defects.-I wouldnt suggest having warranty as a deciding factor as you would be better of insuring with a comprehensive options like jewelers mutual which covers everything from loss to theft for 1-1.5% of the value per yearDiamond prices:-One thing I have noticed over the years in this thread is that most who use the major online sites tend to enter in a given set of specs and pick out the cheapest options for those specs thinking it is a great deal.Typically the exact opposite is true, the lowest priced options most likely have major issues or are borderline grading for color and clarity.-Diamonds are insanely efficiently priced and there are almost never deals to found, especially for some one without expert level experience.-For example if you see two diamonds of the same weight color and clarity with different prices there can be subtle differences in color and clarity and or cut quality.-The few things that can help to get good value are, lower grades that are borderline with the grade above for color and clarity. Diamonds with great face up sizes without compromising light performance.Diamonds that look bad on clarity reports but look great in person. Diamonds that are very well cut and non branded as you can get branded diamonds quality for non branded price. But in all honesty deciphering thesetraits require immense experience.-The ultimate goal to get the best value is to pay for exactly for what is most important to you interns of the 4cs.Lab grown diamonds:-the best advice for this is if you are buying one dont put too much weight into the future value as prices will likely reduce as the technology increases over the years.-from my experience they look basically identical to mined diamonds so may provide good value if future resale value is not a consideration,-with that you should expect a good discount over mined diamonds to compensate for this, and unlike mined diamonds there is largely varying pricing.-make sure the grading is accurate as they are not graded by major labs yet.Benefits of a well cut diamond:-The better the cut, the brighter the diamond, making it appear whiter.-Brighter diamonds generally appear larger than darker diamonds. This relates to the human eye seeing darker objects as slightly smaller.-A well cut diamond usually has a larger face up size because its proportions are optimized by its cut-A well cut diamond holds its market value better than those which are not cut well-Well cut diamonds mask inclusions better as the brightness of the diamond helps distract away from the effects of the inclusionsAppraisers:-an independent appraiser can be an incredibly valuable tool in making sure your purchase is what it is suppose to be.-it is key the appraiser does not have a conflict of interest like working directly for the store to ensure an unbiased opinion.Why are fancy shape diamonds less expensive than rounds?-Fancy shape diamonds (or any shape other than rounds) are priced less than rounds because they use less rough material and usually produce less waste during the cutting process.-As round diamonds are cut for beauty and optics, more of the rough diamond is wasted during the cutting phase.-Fancy shapes are often cut from rough that cannot be used for rounds and as such they are cut deeper and cut to retain most of its rough weight.Tips on evaluating fancy diamonds are way beyond the scope of a summary as there is too much detail so please post specific questions.What does the term “eye clean” mean?Eye clean is a term describing a diamond that does not have any inclusions visible to the naked eye from 10-12 inches in the face-up position under normal overhead lighting conditions.How can I verify that the diamond ordered in is the diamond I chose?When we receive your diamond at our facility, we take the following measures to ensure that we have the correct diamond:1) match the inclusions to those listed on the lab report2) check the inscription (if available)3) check all the proportions (table, depth, crown and pavilion angles and girdle diameter) to ensure that they match the respective grading report.How is the grading of the diamond affected if there are a lot of different types of inclusions vs only one inclusion type?-Diamonds are assigned a grade which takes into account all of the inclusions visible at 10x magnification. So whether there is only one inclusiontype or many is irrelevant because they are all taken into account in determining the grade.What does it mean when the report says “additional (type of inclusion) are not shown”?-This means that there are other inclusions that are so minute that the grader felt that they were not worth noting individually on the clarity plot.Is there any significance to how inclusions are ordered on the grading report?-The inclusions listed on the grading report are listed in order of their prevalence. The first inclusion type is the most prominent and impactful on the clarity grade.Those which sequentially follow have a lesser impact on the clarity grade.I greatly enjoy maintaining this thread as your questions are a great learning tool for me to see what is important in a diamond purchase and hopefully it helps many others to make the best of their purchase.I try to keep the thread upto date as best as possible, so please if your post dosent get answered it is because I havent found the time and emailing and PMing me definitely wont expedite this.
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A diamond pendant is a piece of jewelry that features a diamond or diamonds set into a metal frame that hangs from a chain, usually made of gold, platinum, or silver. Often worn as a statement of elegance and sophistication, diamond pendants make for timeless gifts and can suit various occasions, from anniversaries to birthdays. When purchasing a diamond pendant, there are essential factors to consider, such as the 4Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat weight—to ensure you get the best quality diamond for your budget. Additionally, the setting and style of the pendant are vital considerations; whether you prefer a classic solitaire design or something more intricate, the setting should securely hold the diamond while complementing its brilliance.
To make an informed purchase, consider the following:
Why you should trust us
To help you with the diamond buying process we lean on our expertise and experience. The author of this article, our CEO, Mike Fried has over 20 years of experience in the diamond industry. Mike started from the bottom, sorting and evaluating hundreds of thousands of diamonds to learn every facet (pun intended) of diamond quality and value. Mike followed that up by spending years buying and selling diamonds on the wholesale market as well as selling tens of millions of dollars worth of diamonds to diamond retailers.
0.50 carat halo diamond pendant from James AllenA diamond pendant makes for a stunning and meaningful gift for any special occasion. To ensure you purchase the most beautiful necklace, review the diamond closely. Look for a diamond that is clean of blemishes and inclusions—and one that offers plenty of brilliance (also known as sparkle). Most importantly, choose a diamond from a reputable and reliable vendor like James Allen or Blue Nile. When it comes to style, consider the preferences of your loved one. Diamond pendant designs range from solitaire pendants set in 14K white gold like this one from James Allen to those in yellow gold settings like this example from Blue Nile.
A diamond pendant is a necklace with a central diamond that’s attached by a small loop to a jewelry chain made of precious metal (usually gold or platinum). The word ‘pendant’ comes from the Old French “pendre” and Latin word “pedere”—both meaning “to hang down.” Diamond pendant necklaces are often given as a symbol of love, specifically eternal love.
A solitaire pendant is a necklace with one gemstone—usually a diamond. The gemstone stands alone on a jewelry chain, typically made of white gold, yellow gold, or platinum. Solitaire pendant necklaces range in style from a 0.3 carat solitaire pendant in platinum like this one from James Allen to this1.5 Carat solitaire pendant in white gold from Blue Nile.
Similar to buying a diamond ring, it’s critical that you purchase a diamond pendant from a reputable vendor. From our extensive experience, we’ve learned that the following vendors are the most trustworthy and reliable in the industry.
Deal Alert: Get up to 50% off jewelry for Mother's Day at Blue NileJames Allen: The James Allen site offers high-resolution photography and videography—giving you the best tools for buying diamonds and jewelry online. Their extensive selection of well-crafted settings make them a superior choice for beautiful fine jewelry, and their prices remain competitive.
Diamond pendants from James Allen:
Blue Nile: Blue Nile’s collection is full of exceptional craftsmanship. Having built strong relationships with diamond and jewelry vendors, Blue Nile offers the largest selection of diamonds and settings. Like James Allen, Blue Nile provides high-quality video technology, making online diamond selection easier and more accurate.
Diamond pendants from Blue Nile:
Brian Gavin Diamonds: Brian Gavin is known for offering the best cut diamonds in the industry. Their diamonds offer unparalleled brilliance, meaning they give off the most sparkle. Consider their collection for finding a truly beautiful piece of jewelry.
Diamond pendants from Brian Gavin:
Boutique options: If you’re looking for something unique and have extra space in your budget, please .
Several precious metals are available for your chain and pendant. You can select 14K or 18K gold as both are durable enough for everyday wear. Gold colors include yellow, rose and white—and the decision should be made with the wearer’s preferences in mind. Pendant chains also come in platinum, though the price is higher and often not necessary.
Popular setting styles for pendants usually include prongs (typically four) because prongs allow the most light to enter the diamond and reflect back to the eye.
Other designs include halo settings, and bezel settings. Metal surrounds the stone in a bezel setting like in this 14K white gold pendant.
Most importantly, be sure to purchase your diamond pendant from a reliable vendor. We strongly recommend choosing a vendor you can trust, like Blue Nile or James Allen.
Diamond pendants come in a variety of styles and settings. Here we offer inspiration on everything from solitaire designs to halo pendants.
Solitaire Diamond Pendant Necklaces
Halo Diamond Pendant Necklaces
3-Stone Diamond Pendant Necklaces
Unique Diamond Pendant Necklaces
Diamond cross necklaces feature a cross shape made out of diamonds that’s attached to a chain. Diamond crosses range in style, size and color, though this 14K white gold diamond cross necklace from James Allen is a prime of a classic diamond cross pendant. There are women’s and men’s diamond crosses, ranging from petite designs to signature styles totalling 2 carats like this one from Blue Nile.
For diamond cross pendants, we recommend 14K or 18K gold chains because they’re durable but not as expensive as platinum. A gold diamond cross is timeless and will last for many years of everyday wear.
Dancing diamonds are a unique design with a setting that allows the center diamonds to move or “dance.” As the diamond continually moves, it catches light from various angles, allowing it to showcase its brilliance and fire. Dancing diamond pendants range in size and style, from classic yellow gold designs to modern white gold settings.
In addition to dancing diamond pendants, you can find dancing diamond earrings, dancing diamond heart necklaces and dancing diamond rings.
Do you want to know what other necklaces exist? Check out our Diamond Necklace Guide and find out.
Diamond pendants make for beautiful and memorable gifts. Because of their classic design and popular appeal, diamond pendants are often kept as family heirlooms and passed down for generations.
Consider gifting a diamond pendant for any of these special occasions:
When it comes to selecting a diamond pendant, be sure to choose a high quality, well cut stone. A diamond with a high level of fire and brilliance will sparkle far more than a poorly cut diamond (which will end up looking dull).
For pendants, use the following parameters to assess a diamond:
Certification: Look for a diamond with a GIA certification. This is the most reliable grading entity, helping to ensure you get the quality you’re promised.
Diamond cut: A diamond that is cut well maximizes the light that strikes each pavilion—reflecting it back through the diamond’s table and crown to your eye. Depending on the diamond’s shape and the certifying body, Excellent and Ideal diamonds are the best cut stones—though you’ll still need to review the diamond closely through high resolution imagery. You can also ask for .
Diamond color: A diamond’s color grade refers to its lack of color. As the AGS explains, diamonds that are colorless command the highest value, with brown or yellow diamonds less expensive. Most importantly, ensure the diamond looks white in relation to its setting.
Diamond clarity: Because pendants are worn directly in the line of sight, Clarity is even more important in pendant diamonds than in rings. Inclusions in a diamond can reduce its clarity and beauty. As this GIA guide notes, inclusions develop when small crystals become trapped in a diamond as it forms inside the earth.
Review each diamond carefully to ensure no blemishes and inclusions are present when looking at the stone with the naked eye. Use a vendor with incredible video technology like James Allen or Blue Nile to have a strong advantage when assessing a diamond’s Clarity. If you’d like an expert evaluation, and we’ll review the diamond for you.
Diamond shape: The shape you choose for your diamond pendant—whether it’s round, oval or heart-shaped—is primarily based on personal preference. Look at a variety of shapes to see what matches the wearer’s style the best. The most popular and timeless shape for a pendant is a round diamond.
If you would love to get a diamond pendant but most of the ones you are looking at are out of your price range, consider Brilliant Earth’s lab-grown jewelry line. They have a great selection of all kinds of jewelry for any occasion.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website old european cut lab diamond.
Diamond necklaces range in value depending on the number of diamonds, the diamond carat weight, diamond cut quality, and type of setting. For instance, this three-stone diamond pendant in white gold from Blue Nile might cost $6,500, while a might cost $2,900. A can cost $40,000.
If you were to resell your diamond necklace, it would be worth much less than what you paid for it. Just like selling diamond rings, a diamond necklace shouldn’t be viewed as a financial investment.
A 1 carat diamond isn’t a certain size, but a certain weight. A 1 carat diamond is equal 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams—roughly the same as a quarter of a raisin. Depending on the shape of the diamond and the cut, the size appearance will differ slightly. For instance, this 1 carat oval diamond from James Allen may appear slightly larger than this 1 carat round cut diamond also from James Allen.
1 Carat Diamonds can range dramatically in price, depending on cut quality, color, shape, and clarity. For instance, a dull 1 carat round diamond like this from James Allen might only cost $4,590 while a stunning 1 carat round diamond from James Allen’s True Hearts collection might cost $7,540.
Above all, we recommend looking for a well-cut diamond that offers brilliance and sparkle. It’s more important to find a beautiful stone than achieve a certain carat weight. For help in selecting the most stunning diamond for your budget, reach out to our experts.
The best chain type for pendants is a cable chain because it’s strong, elegant and versatile. That’s why most people choose a cable chain for their pendant.
The best precious metal for diamond pendant chains is 14K or 18K gold because it’s durable and beautiful, but not as expensive as platinum. You can find 14K and 18K gold chains in yellow gold, white gold and rose gold. This 18K white gold halo diamond pendant from James Allen is a stunning example of a diamond pendant chain.
The best type of clasp for diamond pendants is a lobster clasp, because it’s secure while opening and closing easily. This three-stone drop pendant from Blue Nile features a lobster clasp in 18K gold. Other clasps for diamond pendants include spring ring clasps, barrel clasps and magnetic clasps.
The length of your chain will be based primarily on personal preference and what’s offered by the vendor. Standard chain lengths range from 16 to 24 inches, with 18 inches being the most common.
With a 16 inch chain, the diamond will rest above the sternum (unless the person has a thin neck, then the diamond will hang lower). With an 18 inch chain, the pendant will likely fall right about at the sternum—and a 22 or 24 inch chain usually puts the diamond lower than the sternum.
Consider the person you’re buying for and their style. When in doubt, measure the chain lengths of their favorite necklaces.
Pendants of all varieties have been worn for centuries across many cultures. Due to their beauty and sleek design, diamond pendants are also frequently worn by celebrities and royalty.
To find a diamond pendant that will ‘wow’ the one you love, search the collection or create your own from a highly reputable vendor.
Use the Build Your Own Pendant tool from Blue Nile or Design Your Own Pendant tool from James Allen.
Want assistance in reviewing diamonds or jewelry pieces? .
James AllenJames Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online.
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Blue Nile!
Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing.
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Before you buy a diamond, get personal buying advice from industry veterans. We'll help you get the best diamond for the money.
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A diamonds’ price is determined primarily by the 4 Cs of the diamond. On the wholesale level, diamond prices are first based on a diamond shape and
Buying an engagement ring is often one of the first major purchases in a person's life. The process can be fraught with tension as there are so m
A wide range of 1 carat diamonds exist both in online markets and local diamond jewelry stores. Not only are there significant differences in beauty
Contact us to discuss your requirements of def diamond. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.