How to Buy a Diamond Necklace
You’ve decided to buy that special diamond necklace, but where do you begin? Let’s take a look at some important factors that can serve as your buyer’s guide in your journey to finding the perfect diamond necklace of your (or her) dreams.
Working with your Budget
Your budget is always a good place to start when looking to purchase a piece of fine jewelry. Knowing how much you are willing to spend will help you decide between all the possibilities and styles available to you.
Your price range will help you prioritize your options and what features of the necklace that you want to focus on. It will impact which characteristics and designs you desire for your necklace. In addition to how much you are willing to spend on the necklace, you will need to consider the quality of diamond, type of setting, chain, and precious metal as you choose your ideal necklace. We will examine each of these elements below.
No matter what your budget, you will want to make sure you are getting a quality piece with great craftsmanship that you love. Let us help you find a perfect diamond necklace for your loved one that will become an heirloom! This is why it’s so important to put some time and effort into considering your choices to ensure that you will get a piece that you desire.
Types of Precious Metal for your Necklace
As you are selecting your diamond necklace, another important decision is the type of precious metal. Most people pick jewelry that will compliment their skin tone. A person’s skin tone is usually considered to have a cool or warm tone.
White gold and platinum are great for cooler skin undertones. Platinum is also an excellent choice being it is hypoallergenic for those who have sensitive skin. Yellow gold is often chosen for warm-toned skin shades. Rose gold looks great on all skin types.
Choosing between yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and platinum is generally a personal decision. When in doubt, look at what precious metal jewelry is already worn by the person for whom you are buying the necklace. This should be your clue as to what type of precious metal to purchase.
Choosing the Right Necklace Style
When selecting your necklace, you will want to consider many details. Who is the necklace for – a loved one such as your best friend, wife, sister, mom, or even for yourself, etc.? What is their style and taste? Is the necklace going to be for special occasions or for daily wearing?
Let’s start with identifying a design that you like and then find the diamond(s) to go with it. There are many different styles of necklaces to choose from, as well as shapes of diamonds. Below are some types of diamond necklaces for your consideration to help make that important decision.
Diamond Pendant Necklace
Pendants are a beautiful option with a simplicity that demands attention with its classic look. If you want a diamond solitaire pendant, think about what shape you like best. Do you want a diamond shape that is cut into a round, pear, cushion, marquise, emerald, heart shaped, or princess cut, etc.? Different shaped stones will have a unique look, a distinctive feel and personality to them. You can find more about diamond shapes here.
Perhaps you have your heart set on multiple diamonds. A halo pendant is a great example of surrounding your main diamond with smaller ones. Below is an excellent illustration of how the shape of the stone gives a completely unique look and different feel with these gorgeous diamond pendants.
Choker Necklace
A choker necklace is made to lay closer to the neckline and is the shortest in length. This type of necklace would be a great accessory when wearing a strapless or a thin spaghetti strap top ensemble.
Collar Necklace
A collar necklace is usually between 13 and 15 inches long.This necklace type showcases multiple diamonds which adds the extra dazzle effect to one’s ensemble. It looks great when worn with scoop necks, v-necks, off the shoulder and boatneck outfits.
Tennis Necklace
A diamond tennis necklace is always a stunning look. It is available in different lengths. The beauty of this design is that it can be worn for both formal and informal occasions. This increases the enjoyment and appreciation of the necklace.
Lariat/ Y-Necklaces
This type of necklace is generally worn with an open lower neckline. Styles range from a sophisticated simple piece like the one on the left, to the more extravagant look on the right.
Choosing a Setting Style
Necklaces come in an array of settings depending on what style of necklace you plan on choosing. The bezel setting (on left) and prong settings (on right) are used most often for displaying a solitaire stone. While a bezel setting provides a secure frame that gives the appearance of making your single diamond look larger, prongs will allow your diamond to capture more light and allow for added sparkle and shine.
Pendants typically have either a stationary diamond (necklace on the left) or a diamond that can slide along the chain (necklace on the right). This decision is usually a personal preference.
Diamond station necklaces use a pave setting that features small diamonds set close together to create more sparkle.
Channel settings can be used in diamond tennis necklaces where the diamonds are set in a groove which provides a secure setting for the stones and allows for a band of sparkle without using prongs or claws.
Cluster settings will feature numerous diamonds grouped together to make a statement piece like a collar or bib necklace.
Tension settings are used to keep a diamond in place by the tension of the metal. Pendants sometimes use this setting for a modern and unique look.
Choosing the Shape and Length for your Necklace Chain
The style of your necklace will play a determining role in the type of chain you want. You will want to determine which chain best sets off the beauty of the diamonds you have selected. Some chains will lay flat and have a smooth feel while others may kink, twist or flip, so it’s important to get the proper type of chain for your necklace design.
Style of Chains
There are many styles of chain that come in different weights ranging from lightweight to a heavier look and feel. You don’t want a heavy chain to go with a delicate pendant because you want your pendant to shine and take center stage. You will also want the precious metal in your chain to match the setting used with your diamond.
Some of the most common chain types for pendants are cable, Figaro, curb, wheat, and box. If you are in doubt about what type of chain is best for your design, always ask advice from a trusted jeweler.
Clasps
A clasp is another important feature of your necklace chain. You may want to consider if a particular type of clasp will be easier for the wearer of the necklace to use. If you aren’t sure which kind will be the best for your necklace, you can always check with your jeweler. Below are a few options for you to think about:
A spring ring clasp is a circular clasp that opens and closes with a spring mechanism. This clasp is often used for delicate necklaces, however a disadvantage is the spring mechanism may weaken over time leaving it unreliable.
A lobster claw clasp is similar to a spring ring, but it is larger and has a distinctive shape. The lobster claw is also more secure than a spring ring clasp if it has a jump ring to attach to the chain. It is easier to open and close.
A box clasp is square or rectangular shaped and will click into place to close. This clasp provides a secure closure that is easy to use.
Chain Length
The length of your necklace will be a decision that is based on what style of necklace you want to get, as well as what style of clothing will be worn with the necklace. Here is a simple guide to common necklace lengths.
- Fourteen to sixteen inches will lay tight against the neck, or at the base of one’s throat. A common example of this style is the choker or collar necklace. This length works with most any style of top.
- Eighteen inch necklaces typically are worn near the collarbone and look great with most styles.This length is the most common design. It can be worn on most occasions ranging from casual to elegant.
- Twenty inch necklaces lay near the collarbone. Business casual wear works well with this length.
- Twenty to Twenty four inch necklaces lay between the collarbone and the bust. A matinee and lariat necklace are good examples of necklaces with this length.
- An opera necklace is usually between twenty eight and thirty six inches and rests on top the bustline to below it. You will typically see this worn with high necklines and evening wear.
- The longest style necklace is thirty six to forty two inches. These are usually wrap necklaces that layer around your neck and rest on or below the bust. This type of necklace is worn for elegant business or evening wear.
Another factor when deciding on the style of necklace and chain length is that women who are sixty four inches or shorter will look best in sixteen to twenty inch long necklaces. Too long of a chain will tend to overwhelm someone with a small frame.
Women who are five feet and taller can usually wear any necklace length and it will look good on them.
Considerations When Picking Your Diamond
Whenever someone is buying diamonds, the 4C’s are always mentioned. Every certified diamond is always judged by its own unique and distinctive characteristics. These characteristics apply to both natural diamonds as well as lab-created diamonds.
What exactly are these 4C’s? Cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Let’s take a look at each of these important components and learn why they are critical when choosing diamond jewelry.
The Cut of your Diamond
The cut of your diamond will determine how the diamond facets interact with the light around it. This is the most important of the 4C’s. The cut of your diamond is what gives the diamond its sparkle and shine, and it is what everyone wants to see.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) says these three things are what a good cut is based on — precision, symmetry, and polish.
- Precision
The precision of a cut determines how the size and angles will bring out the diamond’s beauty. An ideal cut allows the stone to display its maximum brightness and sparkle. You do not want a cut diamond that is too shallow or deep.
- Symmetry
A diamond with excellent symmetry will be certified higher than a diamond with poor symmetry. It is important to have good symmetry in your diamond’s facets so it highlights the gorgeousness of the stone.
- Polish
The placement and details of the facet shapes are included in the polish. The polish of your diamond will also help hide any inclusions in your stone.
The Color of a Diamond
Diamonds are rated in color from D which is considered colorless, to Z which is light yellow. The color of the diamond will impact its sparkle. The color of your diamond will also influence the diamond’s value. When making your decision about diamond color, it’s good to know that a color D rating is considered more valued than ratings E to Z.
Canary diamonds are colored diamonds that are graded on the same scale as other diamonds. The intensity of the yellow color varies. The most valuable canary diamonds have a deep and intense hue. Due to their rarity and beauty, they are often highly sought after.
The Clarity of a Diamond
The clarity of a diamond refers to the state of perfection the diamond has. Diamonds will have blemishes and inclusions and the clarity of the diamond is rated according to the amount of imperfections in the stone. Diamonds are graded on a scale from flawless (IF), where no inclusions are seen with 10x magnification, to the bottom of the scale where the inclusions are visible to the naked eye (I1, I2, I3).
Carat Weight
It is common to hear about the carat size of a diamond. But what does that really mean? A diamond carat is actually measured by weight versus size. However, while the weights of two diamonds may be the same, they may still appear to be differently sized. The shape and cut of the diamond may make it appear smaller or larger even though the carat diamond size is the same.
It is important to remember that even though many people make the mistake of thinking a larger diamond is always more expensive, it is the cut, color, clarity and carat weight of the diamond that establishes the true value of the diamond.
Remember, the value of your diamond is not based solely on just one of the individual 4c’s. The combination of the 4C’s, cut, color, clarity, and carat will all play important roles in the final determination of the certification for your diamond.
Custom Made Necklaces or Brand Names?
The decision to buy your necklace from a well-known brand name or have your necklace custom made is entirely your choice.
Luxury brand names can offer you a wide variety of options of beautiful necklaces that are well made with good materials. Brand names also have a recognizable name and reputation in the market. When choosing a brand name, your selection is limited to available design and inventory.
Choosing to get your necklace custom-made by a professional assures you of getting a unique piece that will be one-of-a-kind, and will reflect the personal style of the receiver. You will have greater flexibility in choosing the design that you desire for your special diamond necklace by getting it custom-made.
An important factor to remember with custom-made, is that you may need extra time for this custom piece to be created. Our jewelry store in Scottsdale will be happy to help you design your custom diamond necklace.
Now You are Ready to Buy your Diamond Necklace
You have learned some basic criteria on how to pick that perfect necklace. You know what to look for and how to choose that special high quality diamond necklace.
Let us help you find exactly what you are looking for! Visit our store in Scottsdale or check us out online today for excellent craftsmanship and the best diamond necklace for your loved one! We look forward to working with you!