A Guide to Diamond Pendants

Do you need a reason to buy a diamond pendant for someone you love? Not really! They make perfect gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, to celebrate special occasions, or just for no reason at all, as an expression of love. A diamond pendant is a perfect jewelry gift as it can easily be teamed with any outfit, from jeans and a t-shirt to pop out and pick up some groceries to full formal evening wear for special occasions. Now you have realized that a diamond pendant is the perfect gift for your loved one, here are some other pointers to think about, especially if you are having a custom piece made for them.

Basic Design

A diamond pendant – which refers to a cut and mounted diamond on a chain – can vary quite widely from big and barbaric, with a chunky chain, large diamond and more than enough sparkle to draw the eye and please any exhibitionist who is wearing it, to neat and sophisticated, with a slender chain and a small but perfect diamond for those for whom subdued taste is key.

The Right Diamond

When most people think of diamonds they tend to think that they must be clear, cut in a round brilliant shape to channel maximum light and brilliance through the top of the stone, and mounted in a traditional setting. But diamonds come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, can be cut into various designs to make the most of the individual stone, and they can also come in a range of colors, making vivid fancy stones (the term for diamonds that are so colorful they can look like a different kind of gemstone) a popular choice for those who want a diamond pendant with a difference. You can browse loose diamonds for sale to find the perfect unique stone for your pendant's design.

The Right Setting

If you cannot afford a single large diamond, but want a generously sized piece, why not choose a halo setting? In this, a large central stone is surrounded by a 'halo' of the metal, in which are set tiny diamond chips (also called melee diamonds). Seen together, the central stone and the halo create a much larger footprint, offering that luxurious spread of sparkle and brilliance that make the pendant look as though it holds a much bigger stone than it actually does.

The traditional setting is to have the diamond held by four claws, which curve around to grip the stone firmly. If the stone is large (and therefore heavier and also more valuable) the jeweler may recommend using six or even eight claws. The benefit of using claws is that it allows the whole diamond to benefit from the available light, taking it in through the base and the sides, and letting it all out of the top, for a splendidly beautiful sparkle.

Finally, you should consider the metal that your pendant will be fitted to. Diamonds traditionally go with white metals, but you have the full range of monochrome shades, running from pure silver white to pitch black (rhodium to tungsten carbide with palladium, platinum, silver and more in between), and also a range of golden shades, from the palest white gold (often plated with rhodium) to rose and yellow gold. With gold the deeper colors come from purer gold, but softer metals, so it is often best to compromise on 14-carat or 18-carat gold for greater durability.