An Essential Guide To Diamond Pendants & Necklaces
A spectacular diamond pendant or necklace is a must-have for any jewelry lover. From ornate necklace designs perfect for special occasions, to delicate but durable pendants for everyday wear, there is a wide variety of diamond designs depending on your taste, style and budget.
Four-Prong Basket Pendant Setting
Whiteflash by the Yard Diamond Necklace
When choosing a diamond necklace, there are a few factors that you need to consider so that you make the best choice.
Despite small differences between styles, there can be profound differences when it comes to durability and appearance. We have designed this diamond pendant guide to help you find the
diamond necklace of your dreams.
Diamond Pendants
Item Code: 71412-710
7.10ctw 14k White Gold Four Prong Full Eternity Diamond Tennis Necklace
7.10ctw 14k White Gold Four Prong Full Eternity Diamond Tennis Necklace
Price:
$9,300.00
Item Code: 71382-720
7.20ctw 14k White Gold Three-Prong Graduated Diamond Tennis Necklace
7.20ctw 14k White Gold Three-Prong Graduated Diamond Tennis Necklace
Price:
$10,800.00
Item Code: 71392-690
6.90ctw 14k White Gold Four-Prong Graduated Diamond Tennis Necklace
6.90ctw 14k White Gold Four-Prong Graduated Diamond Tennis Necklace
Price:
$10,500.00
Item Code: 7142-020
0.20ctw 14k White Gold Flower Cluster Diamond Pendant (7mm diam.)
0.20ctw 14k White Gold Flower Cluster Diamond Pendant (7mm diam.)
Price:
$650.00
What Are the Differences Between a Diamond Pendant and Necklace?
Flower Cluster Diamond Pendant
While it is true that
pendants and
necklaces can both be worn around the neck, they are different types of jewelry and it is important to know the difference when on your jewelry journey.
Pendants are small pieces of jewelry (such as an icy diamond in a white gold setting) that can be attached to an anklet, necklace chain, or bracelet. Simply defined, you can hang a pendant from any part of your body on a chain, whereas a necklace must be worn around your neck to qualify as such.
When it comes to a diamond pendant, there are a variety of setting styles, such as;
Diamond tennis necklaces are another style, incorporating a continuous row of diamonds. But there are countless others to admire.
Throughout this guide, we will primarily be referring to diamond pendants and necklaces that are worn around your neck to keep it practical. In addition, keep in mind that
pendants can be incorporated into other fine pieces of jewelry if desired.
Diamond Pendant and Necklace Chain Styles
Here at
Whiteflash, we almost exclusively use cable link chains for our pendants. The reason is that it strikes the perfect balance between durability, wearability, and beauty. A masterful touch is required for fine jewelry, with no one element taking precedence over another.
There are four primary variables to consider when choosing a chain: style, length, width, and clasp. Think these questions through while choosing your chain:
Am I wearing it every day?
A lightweight chain that is durable and lightweight is essential for everyday wear. If you tend to sleep or move a lot in your jewelry, then something like a rope chain may seem too bulky to you. Ball chains and bead chains, on the other hand, will be too fragile for you.
A chain with open links, one without hammering or smoothing, or one with a jagged finish has the potential to snag your clothes. Consequently, the chain is more likely to break and may also rub against your skin.
Some chains are better suited to pendants than others due to their unique characteristics. The possibilities are truly endless with some jewelers developing their own variations on the traditional styles. Listed below are some of the more popular types of chains.
Cable Link Chain
A cable link chain (also known as an anchor chain or trace chain) is one of the most common chains found in jewelry. It is comprised of uniformed oval or round metal links that are looped together to create a durable yet lightweight chain.
Although this style is popular because of its delicate appearance, they are very strong and will stand the test of time when made in 14k/18k gold or platinum.
Most cable chains are between 1-2mm wide, making them ideal for small pendants.
Tacori SN15735 City Lights Blue Quartz Pendant
While we use the daintier, closer-set cable link chains for our jewelry, Tacori showcase an open cable-link design in their pendants, as seen in their
Barbados pendant. The chain becomes a feature of this piece of jewelry and it is certainly a stunning costume or occasion necklace.
Ball/Bead Chain
Ball chain is a chain with round beads or metal balls that are fixed along its entirety.
The ball bead chain is versatile enough to be worn alone as a simple accent, layered with other necklaces for a complementary touch, or with a pendant or charm to add some additional flair. The simplicity of this chain really gives a pendant center stage to shine.
Box Chain
With its sleek, geometric appearance and square design, the box chain (also known as square link chain, cube, briolette and Venetian chain) lends itself to modern jewelry.
The box chain has the advantage of being a little easier to untangle if it becomes knotted, and the rectangular links make it less prone to kinking and twisting than other styles. Choosing a slim box chain for a pendant necklace would be an excellent choice, as they are very durable.
Figaro Chain
Italian-designed Figaro chains are ornate and distinctive designs, featuring three curb links followed by an elongated rectangular link.
These classy chains make great stand-alone pieces of jewelry for both men and women; however, they can dominate a design and overshadow the beauty of a diamond pendant so are most likely better suited as necklaces instead.
Rope Chain
Rope chains can come in a variety of styles, some of which are extremely detailed and ornate. You will find several rope chain designs within the rope chain family, all of which are created using the same method. In order to create the illusion of a rope-like chain, individual links are manipulated to give the appearance of one complete chain.
The intricacy of the chain itself is the main feature of these styles, which are often sold in thicker sizes (4mm and above). Chains like these are best worn alone unless they are paired with a large or oversized pendant since they tend to overshadow daintier ‘drops’.
Singapore Chain
A distinctive Singapore chain is made from hammered disks twisted into a rope-like style. Even when unraveled, a Singapore can seem to have a fluid feel and look.
The style is best suited to being worn alone, because it has plenty of dimension. Pendants would have a hard time laying flat on the undulating links of a Singapore chain.
Spiga/Wheat Chain
Spiga derives its name from a Spanish word meaning wheat, Espiga. It features intricately woven links that create a striking, natural appearance that is reminiscent of the beautiful folds of wheat tips.
This chain is a popular choice with men, but in a dainty width (1-3mm) would also be an excellent choice for a pendant. The interlocking creates a very strong chain.
Optimal Chain Length & Widths for Pendants and Necklaces
- Collar, at 35cm (14”). These wrap around the throat.
- Choker, at 40cm (16”). These have a looser fit than collar but fit close to the throat.
- Princess, at 45cm (18”). These necklaces sit on the collarbone.
- Matinee, at 50cm (20”). These are much longer than collar or choker length, sitting between the collarbone and the chest.
Additionally, there are 'opera' and 'rope' lengths, which are much longer and sit on the lower chest and stomach.
Choosing the right length is essential both for comfort and appearance. This guide explains how each length should fit; however, please take it as a very rough estimate, as how a chain will fit will be different for everyone.
Various lengths perform differently, with some being more suitable to certain shapes and tastes than others.
Petite ladies (usually 5'4" and below) tend to choose shorter styles, as long chains can overwhelm their frame. Nevertheless, there are no hard and fast rules regarding chain length, and you should select the style you think is most flattering and appropriate for you.
For a classic diamond pendant that is intended for everyday wear, we recommend choosing a chain length that sits on the collar bone.
This length of chain is most comfortable and practical, longer chains may loop over objects or become tangled in them. Furthermore, the diamond is placed perfectly so that its sparkly beauty can be clearly seen. Featured below is a
14k gold diamond pendant necklace hung from a 16-inch chain - a great length for dainty pendants.
Tacori FP643 Dantela Diamond Pendant
An eye-catching necklace that lays under the bust or just below it can be very eye-catching for larger pendants. When you wear the necklace at this length, you will get good movement on the chain, which will help draw attention to the pendant and make any diamonds or gemstones really stand out.
Metals with the highest quality and durability,
like platinum, will allow even chains with very small widths to be incredibly strong. Additionally, 1mm chains are lightweight and dainty, allowing the diamond to be the star of the show.
For larger, weightier pendants, we would recommend a 1.5mm-2mm chain to give additional support to the pendant.
In addition to their length, chains can also come in various widths, though 1mm chains are typically the best fit for fine jewelry and diamond pendants. In the event that you would like to have a specific length of chain, you can contact us for a
price quote and we’d be happy to help.
Your choice of length and width is purely personal, and you should choose what is right for you. When making your decision, ensure you know exactly how each length will fit on your body and which width you desire.
Clasps for Diamond Pendant and Necklaces
Once you know the style, the length and the width of your chain, you can start thinking about clasp options. While almost all of our diamond pendants necklaces at
Whiteflash feature a spring clasp or lobster claw clasp, we have listed some of the most popular clasps used in jewelry making.
Spring Clasp
As the name suggests, a spring clasp (or spring ring) secures jewelry in place using a spring and pin mechanism. Using a small lever, the spring activated pin is pulled back to allow you to slide the jump ring or tab into place, before releasing the lever to spring the clasp closed.
One of the best choices for a diamond pendant is this type of clasp, which is understated, versatile, and secure.
The lobster claw clasp uses a similar, spring loaded method to a spring ring clasp, but has an elongated lobster-claw shape. These clasps are often used on bracelets, as the increased space within the clasp makes it easier for the wearer to do it up with one hand. They are medium to light weight and are an excellent choice for diamond pendants.
Barrel Clasp
The barrel clasp is made from two pieces of metal screwed together in the shape of a barrel. Often, barrel clasps feature designs and embellishments that become a part of the jewelry.
Barrel clasps can be difficult to use and are not suitable for everyday wear. Oftentimes, they are also too wide for the bale of most pendants to pass through. Generally heavier than a spring or lobster class, this style is better suited to beaded or costume jewelry.
Toggle/T-Bar Clasp
Necklaces and bracelets can also be held in place with toggle clasps or T-bar clasps, which use a loop to thread a T-shaped piece of metal through.
When it comes to fine jewelry or diamond jewelry, toggle clasps should be avoided, since they can become loose and pose a security risk. These clasps are larger and can hinder the passage of pendants.
Hook Clasps
A hook clasp uses metal that has been shaped into an S-shape; the metal is then threaded through a metal ring to close the clasp. Similarly to toggle clasps, hook fastenings are not completely secure and the metal ring could slip out.
As with other large clasps, you might have trouble threading them through the bail of most pendants.
We recommend spring ring or lobster clasps which will offer a lightweight finish but maximum security to your diamond pendant.
Most Popular Diamond Necklace & Pendant Styles and Settings
Three-Prong Martini Diamond Pendant
With its timeless and elegant design, our
Four Corners diamond pendant is a perfect example of a piece for everyday wear. Pendants are available in three-prong, six-prong and eight-prong settings, as well as bezel and tension designs.
The setting that is right for you is similar to choosing an
engagement ring setting; it will be determined primarily by your lifestyle and personal taste. In addition, the size of the diamond in the pendant will also impact the setting.
In general, necklaces are low-impact pieces of jewelry, meaning the diamonds and metals are less likely to be damaged in wear.
Engagement rings receive great care and attention, and a solitaire diamond pendant deserves the same treatment. You can pair one of our settings with a diamond of your choice, including one of
A CUT ABOVE® super ideal diamonds. Any outfit can be enhanced with a diamond pendant or necklace.
Circle of Life Diamond Pendant
Designed with grace and awe in mind, this pendant inspires admiration with its unbridled boldness. No frills, it doesn't need to shout to be heard. A sign of continuity, an emblem of eternal love, it sits delicately on the collar.
With its unique power and meaning, it has the same effect as a diamond ring, but it's much more personal and closer to your heart.
Our fine jewelry is crafted from the finest materials to ensure both strength and resilience, so there is no limit to what can be worn as an everyday piece of jewelry.
Discover Your Diamond Necklace Today
Be sure to consult our guide before buying your beautiful diamond pendant or necklace, and find the perfect piece of jewelry to add to your collection.
You can explore our entire selection of diamond necklaces here if you're ready to get started.