Diamonds are a great feature of the pendant, but choosing this piece of jewelry is not as simple as it seems. Let’s take a look at the most important points to keep in mind the next time you buy a diamond pendant.
Choose the Shape of Your Diamond Pendant
The first thing you need to decide on is the shape of the pendant you want. Of course, it depends on your personal taste, but you should at least know how the shape you choose affects the other characteristics of the pendant.
The shape of the pendant often determines the cut of the center diamond in which it is set, and the choice of setting is largely influenced by the cut of the gemstone.
In general, the setting should fit the diamond and hold it securely in place.
For example, a triangular pendant with trillion-cut diamonds is best set with a V-shaped prong setting or bezel setting, which wraps the thin edges of the diamond with metal for better protection.
No matter what shape your gemstone is, don’t forget to make sure the setting fits it and protects the delicate parts of the diamond well.
How to Choose the Metal for a Diamond Pendant
The choice of metal for a pendant also depends on your personal preference, but you should keep in mind that not all metals are created equal for durability.
For example, gold is softer than white gold and less durable than platinum.
So, if you want a setting that doesn’t wear easily, you can opt for a pendant made from a more durable metal, or if you prefer yellow gold, opt for a lower carat pendant.
(The higher the number of opens, the purer and softer the gold, while the lower the number of opens, means that the alloy has a higher content of non-gold metals, making it harder.)
How to Decide on a Diamond Pendant Setting
We’ve discussed how the shape of a diamond affects the type of setting you should choose, but there are a few other factors to consider, including diamond visibility, setting durability, and general safety.
Certain types of settings will make more gemstones visible, making them a great option if you want to show off your diamond. For example, prong settings are very popular, partly for this reason.
The disadvantage of prongs is that they are less secure as they are more likely to bend or break, especially if they are made of softer metal.
If you choose a prong setting, it is recommended that you regularly inspect the prongs for wear to reduce the risk of the stone falling out of the setting.
The border setting is a great option for people who care about safety.
This type of setting wraps the stone from all sides or parts of the metal and is therefore a good way to protect the diamond from accidental impact that can cause the edges to chip.
In addition, the bezel setting makes it difficult for the stone to fall off the setting.
The disadvantage of a bezel setting is that it tends to hide more of the diamond in the metal, which some people believe can cause less light to enter the diamond, reducing its brilliance.
However, you should keep in mind that whether or not you will see this effect depends on the structure of the setting, and some bezel settings leave more of the diamond visible than others.
Therefore, it is advisable to check a number of different pendant models and choose the setting according to the specific situation.
Choose the Quality of the Diamond in the Pendant
What quality level you choose for the diamond in your pendant depends on your budget and preferences. The most important diamond characteristics are color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.
In general, if you decide to choose a lower grade of clarity or color, it is recommended that you choose a higher grade cut to compensate for the loss of quality.
A better-cut gemstone will have more brilliance, which will somewhat mask the natural imperfections or hues visible in the diamond.
With a pendant made of yellow gold, you can relax the diamond color standard a little, as even if the gemstones have some noticeable yellow hues, they will be absorbed by the color of the setting.
On the other hand, a platinum or yellow gold setting will make this hue stand out, so for these metals, you should only choose diamonds that are graded as colorless or close to colorless.
Whatever you do, it is not recommended that you choose both high carat and low grade color, clarity and cut.
Larger diamonds are more noticeable, and if you choose a larger and lower quality diamond, its imperfections will be more noticeable.
If you have to relax your quality standards to keep your budget under control, go for smaller diamonds.
Choose a Diamond Pendant Size
The size of the pendant is also an important consideration. Make sure the piece isn’t so small that it’s barely visible, but it’s not so big that it overwhelms everything else in your garment.
Also, make sure that the weight and size of the pendant match the thickness of the necklace.
For example, if the chain is too thin, an oversized pendant will not only look inappropriate, but its weight may also permanently deform or even break the chain’s links.
Finally, consider your budget when deciding on the size. Depending on the model, a larger pendant may require a larger diamond, and, as already mentioned, the larger and more pronounced the gemstone, the less it is recommended that you skimp on quality.