Lab Diamond Necklace: Finding the Right Stone, Setting and Chain

A diamond pendant can appear perfectly shaped in a jewellery display, but looks unexpectedly small when worn. Conversely, a large stone can overwhelm a delicate chain or sit awkwardly against the neck.

Such contrasts should be considered when purchasing a lab grown diamond necklace. The choice of diamond is just as important the arrangement, chain and position.

For Australian buyers studying their options online, these factors can be the difference between buying an impressive photo and a necklace suited for its intended owner.

What Makes a Lab Grown Diamond Different?

Lab grown diamonds have identical lab diamond necklace, atomic and optical properties to their natural counterparts. The difference lies in their formation process. Natural diamonds originate deep underground, while laboratory-grown diamonds are produced using High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) methods.

Both varieties have the same durability, fire and brilliance, making them suitable for fine jewellery. Lab-grown diamonds differ from simulants like cubic zirconium and moissanite.

Lab diamonds are typically lower in price than natural diamonds, providing greater flexibility about the size of the stone, or the quality of the chain and setting.

This does not eliminate the need to compare quality between diamonds, simply because two one-carat stones can look very different.

The Pendant Shape Changes the Whole Necklace

A round brilliant diamond is a familiar choice for a pendant, fitting a variety of necklines. The symmetrical cut reflects bright highlights, creating dynamic patterns of light. Other shapes produce distinctive effects.

An oval shape elongates vertically, creating a flowing look when hanging. Pear diamonds combine an oval shape with a pointed tip, while emerald diamonds have broader flashes of light and a more angular appearance.

When comparing a lab diamond pendant, studying the different diamond shapes and their settings can be an effective way to establish the most flattering style for the buyer’s neckline.

It is also worth studying the mounting mechanism. A solitaire mounting secures the diamond using only a few prongs, contrasting with a bezel that completely surrounds the stone. The latter can add extra protection for the diamond, but alters the way the pendant looks. A halo mounting involves smaller diamonds that surround the larger stone, boosting the apparent size.

Why Carat Weight Can Be Misleading

The carat weight measures the mass of a diamond. Two round brilliant diamonds can have the same carat weight, but appear different because of the proportions of the stone. If the height of the diamond outweighs its width, it might look smaller than another diamond of the same carat weight.

This effect is also apparent in different settings. A higher pendant setting can exaggerate the apparent size compared to a low pendant setting.

For a necklace destined for regular wear, it is worth studying the extent to which the pendant hanging from the chain. Larger settings can snag on clothing, making smaller, lower pendant settings more practical. A logical approach is to compare the diamond’s mm size rather than relying on the carat weight.

Diamond Quality: Where the Budget Makes the Most Difference

The traditional factors – cut, colour, clarity and carat weight – are still relevant when examining lab-grown diamonds, but their importance depends on the style of the pendant.

Cut and Light Performance

A round brilliant diamond pendant requires special attention to the quality of the cut. Well-cut stones reflect light efficiently, producing brighter flashes of white light and a pleasing pattern of secondary coloured light.

A larger poorly cut stone can look less attractive than a slightly smaller, but better cut diamond.

Fancy-shaped diamonds are more variable and require direct comparison between stones of the same intended shape.

Colour and Metal Choice

Diamond colour is more critical for certain metals. The neutrality of white gold and platinum makes the subtleties of the diamond colour more apparent. Yellow or rose gold develops a warm hue, contrasting with colourless stones.

It is not always necessary to select the highest colour grade, particularly for white gold and platinum mountings. A pleasingly white diamond in its setting can be a more cost-effective choice than one with an apparently higher colour grade that looks no different in normal wear.

Clarity That Makes Sense for a Pendant

Clarity refers to the internal inclusions and external blemishes. A necklace is usually viewed from a greater distance than an engagement ring, so minute differences in clarity are unlikely to be noticeable.

Rather than selecting the highest clarity grade, look for a stone with no obvious inclusions that a viewer could see without magnification.

Chain Length Deserves as Much Attention as the Diamond

A well-chosen diamond can appear misplaced if the length of the chain does not suit the buyer.

Some common necklace lengths include:

The actual length depends on the buyer’s neck size, body proportions and the size of the pendant itself.

For gift purchases, an adjustable chain can be ideal, although it is always worth examining the necklaces owned by the intended recipient rather than relying on photographs of the intended necklace.

The strength of the chain is also important, particularly for heavier pendants. The weight of a pendant must match the strength of the chain and the security of the clasp mechanism.

Choosing Between White Gold, Yellow Gold and Platinum

The precious metal used in the lab grown diamonds influences its appearance, and the ongoing maintenance. White gold is produced using an alloy, but is usually rhodium plated to produce a whiter colour. This means that occasional rhodium plating can be required to maintain the apparent colour of the metal. Yellow gold does not require rhodium plating and provides a contrasting warmth to colourless diamonds.

Platinum is a dense metal that has a natural whiteness, but tarnishes with age. This can be polished out, if a brighter colour is desired. Rose gold involves copper in the alloy, giving it a pinkish hue, which can be an issue for people with nickel sensitivities.

For regular wear, it is worth examining the purity of the metal, the construction of the bail, and how the chain connects the pendant to the necklace.

What Diamond Documentation Actually Tells You

Independent diamond documentation establishes facts about the stone, particularly when comparing lab-grown diamond necklaces online.

For a large centre stone, look for certification issued by an independent laboratory such as the International Gemological Institute (IGI) or the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

The reports can include details about the origin of the stone, but the specific categories vary between laboratories and the type of report purchased. GIA, for example, uses Premium and Standard classifications for colourless to near-colourless laboratory-grown diamonds.

Ensure that the documentation refers to the individual stone, rather than the jewellery as a whole. These are different assessments. A grading report does not include information about the strength of the setting or the security of the clasp.

Small Construction Details That Affect Long Term Wear

Before purchasing a pendant, it is worth viewing the stone from the side and rear of the pendant, rather than only the front.

This is an opportunity to ensure that the stone is held securely, that the setting does not have sharp edges and any movement of the chain does not cause the pendant to swing violently from side to side.

For Australian online purchases, it is worth confirming that the price is in Australian dollars, and studying the insurance and return policies for the purchased item. Custom-made items usually have different return policies to ready-made items.

Cleaning and general maintenance are relatively simple, but depend on the construction of the pendant. Mild soap and warm water can usually be used to remove surface grime, but the suitability depends on the construction and materials used in the pendant. Regular visits to a jeweller can identify weak links in the chain or compromised prongs.