What color stone for Diamond Pendant Necklace

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N

nycbaggirl

O.G.
Nov 23, 2008
85
0
#1
I am hoping for some advice from you ladies who know their diamonds!

I am going to be upgrading my diamond pendant necklace for my birthday. Currently I have a small .25 carat necklace and I would like to get something larger. I think I want a 1 carat necklace similar in style to what I have, which I will post in a link below.

My friend’s father who works in the diamond industry has told me that I should not focus too much on color, rather get the larger diamond for my money. He said that a diamond on your neck does not have to be flawless or even have perfect color as it does not wear the same way as a diamond ring.

So anyone that knows their diamonds out there how far down the color chain would you go on a pendant necklace? Can I go down to I and J without it looking bad?

I work near the diamond district so I know I can go look at them, its just good to know what to ask for as it can be so overwhelming!

This is the style that I have and would like to keep.

http://www.bluenile.com/bezel-diamond-pendant_5058

Thanks for the tips and suggestions!
 
#2
I personally prefer warmer looking diamonds. My engagement ring is an ''I'' but it's still pretty white looking. I think I would prefer a J or K for a pendant, but that's just my personal opinion!
 
#3
I would not go below G colour. If you're going with a brilliant cut, then the sweet spot for price:size is

ideal cut (this is what determines sparkle)
G colour
SI1/SI2
.90 cts (this will help keep the cost down a lot and you won't notice the difference in size to a true 1 ct)

To me, a large diamond that is yellowish doesn't look as sparkly and noticeable in a room. But remember, even if you get a colourless diamond and you don't have a good cut, it won't sparkle either. That's why G colour and a really good cut are a nice balance between price and size.

Have fun diamond shopping!! I hope you'll post photos of your new necklace! :D

p.s. I wasn't able to access the link you posted, but if you're keen on a bezel set in white gold or platinum, a stone with yellow in it will look even more yellow, so that is something to consider...
 
#4
I couldn't see the picture that you posted. And I don't know if I am of much help in this matter. I tend to like colorless diamonds.

But with that said, different cuts can look very different in regards to how the color looks. And, I know someone who has a simple prong-set pendant in a (approx. 2ct) J color round brilliant set in yellow gold, and it looks fine to me (and I normally find the J RBs way too off-color for my personal preference). I don't know the exact specs of her diamond. Perhaps hers has a slight blue flourescence that makes it appear whiter. But I think you just have to let your eye be the judge (make sure you see the diamond in different lights too). Maybe ask for a G and a J and compare, or ask them if they think they have a J that faces up a little whiter. Give them your price range, and let them show you the options. Then let your own eye decide your preference.
 
#6
I like my diamonds to be white and sparkling. My ering is F and my necklace is G. I might consider going down to H for the necklace but not more than that. The reason is I got some earrings from overstock and they were like H/I color I think and they looked terrible, grey-ish. So I would never go down to those color range again. It could just be these particular earrings that I got, but I didnt think warm color diamonds looked good on me.
 
#8
Swanky, I'll never get sick of seeing that ring. Gorgeous! Btw, I know this is off topic, don't want to thread hi-jack, but just curious if you have to take your ring off when you do active things (like going to the gym, etc) due to the large size of the stone. Or can you keep it on at all times?
 
#9
Okay thanks ladies. My engagment ring is a G color and my eternity band is e color. Because the eternity band stones are .20 each (2.2 total) you can't really tell the color difference between my engagment ring and my wedding band. And my ring is not really going to be next to my necklace for comparison sake...

That being said I just don't want to waste money on a high quailty stone that is in a bezel setting if you can't even tell the difference (that is according to my friends dad). So maybe I will start with an "I" stone and look for the different cuts then compare. It would be in a white gold setting.

My mom always says unless I am going to clean it twice a week it dosen't matter if you spend a ton of money... walking around with dirty jewelry is a waste of money...okay mom I will clean it :lolots:

I will report back after my diamond shopping next week...
 
#10
^LOL! She has a point!

Thanks NY Village! I pretty much wear it everywhere, even the gym. We're in Europe and I've been wearing it here except when we take hikes/walking tours.
 
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