Help with Daughter's B-Day present

[Trasid1]

Hello, I am setting an old engagement diamond (0.46 carat, average quality cut) into a necklace for my daughter's 18th birthday. My daughter is a small size 4 and still dresses in jeans and t-shirts most of the time. I was looking for something classic that she can wear for years to come.
My questions are ... what length should the necklace be? Do you have suggestions as to how it should be set? What do you think of the example in the picture? Thanks!

 

[Trasid1]

She's very fair skinned so I'm thinking white gold. What do you think of this design?

 

[tyty333]

I like the first one better than the second. I dont really like the chain on the first one though. I would do a different chain. How tall is your daughter?
I'm thinking 17 inch if she is average height. If you put it in a simple bezel that had ears on each side then I would think you could go shorter. How
do you think she likes to wear her pendants? Short or long?

 

[Trasid1]

She's 5'4". Most of her necklaces sit just below her collar bone.

 

[misslili]

I like the second setting better but I would have the stationary loops turned so that they don't look like "ears". If you use a cable chain, they can make the stationary loop look like one of the links and it will be undetectable. I would stick with a classic milgrain bezel pendant for an 18 year old girl. She'll wear it forever. 15.5 or 16 inches should work for the chain. She can use it as a layering necklace also.

 

[Austina]

I like misslili's in w/g, simple, elegant and modern - perfect for an 18 year old and for the rest of her life. I'd think 16" would probably be a good length on someone so petite.

 

[Trasid1]

Thank you tyty333, misslili, and Austina. I really like the example picture and that chain is much better looking with the loops that look like chain. I appreciate the help. I do like the classic look of a bezel. Do you think the stone is too small for a bezel?

Would this be a good project for ID Jewelry? I want to make sure the necklace is done correctly so it doesn't flip.

 

[Austina]

The stone is likely to be 4.75/5mm, so personally I think would be the perfect size on your daughter. I have no eexperience of IDJ, but hopefully someone will be able to advise you.

 

[tyty333]

I think a small bezel would be cute (like misslili posted). I ask JA to bezel set a stone for me and they turned me down. Might have been because it was
an OEC. I think they could do a good job of it.

 

[Trasid1]

Thanks Austina! That's interesting tyty333. I recently asked JA about a setting for my e-ring. I did not get the warm and fuzzy, and although I was not necessarily turned down, I didn't get the impression they wanted the work and I was left disappointed. I will look elsewhere this time.

 

[bmfang]

I like the setting that misslili has posted on. Looks classic and can be worn for many years to come.

Oh how I wish that my wife and I have a daughter. I'd love to buy jewellery for her (my wife says the same as well!)

 

[foxinsox]

I've got a similar bezel set with a 6mm OEC and it's really the most wearable necklace I own. bmfang, I'll be your daughter! I'm in NZ, so close by

 

[OECrystal]

I 100% agree that a bezel set pendant would be a perfect and timeless piece. 16" seems like the perfect length to start out with. I would suggest a sliding pendant instead of fixed for a couple of reasons, they tend to flip less and do not "walk" up the neck like fixed pendants do, additionally, the chain can be easily changed to one of a different length/style. I cannot speak to the vendor you mentioned but the ones who come to mind who I have seen make beautiful pendants include: CvB, Brian Gavin, Whiteflash, David Klass, JbG. Please share pics of the completed setting!

 

[arkieb1]

Try David Klass he make one for me ages ago with a bezel that I sold and it was great.

 

[bmfang]

I've got a similar bezel set with a 6mm OEC and it's really the most wearable necklace I own. bmfang, I'll be your daughter! I'm in NZ, so close by

LOL! Depending on how old you are foxinsox, I could be a younger or older brother to you!

 

[foxinsox]

LOL! Depending on how old you are foxinsox, I could be a younger or older brother to you!

We're probably a similar age! I'm 40 so definitely too old to be your daughter

 

[bmfang]

We're probably a similar age! I'm 40 so definitely too old to be your daughter

Hahahahahaha. I'm your younger brother then (I'm in my early 30s).

 

[foxinsox]

I was just coming back to amend my post as I realised I really shouldn't have assumed we were a similar age!

 

[Tophat1]

I think 15-16" for length - you can get a chain made with a ring an inch from the end - so the clasp can be fastened in either position providing flexibility based on her taste and outfit

I think rose gold or white gold are good metal choices

I agree with basic milgrain for the setting

 

[Queenie60]

I have a pendant made by IDJ and it can be adjusted at 16", 17" and 18". Most of the time it's at 16" however it's nice to have the options.

 

[AprilBaby]

I prefer the stone not be directly anchored to the chain but rather slide on the chain. It sits better on the neck and you can wear different chain lengths.

 

[Trasid1]

Oh wow! Thanks for all the responses!
Tophat1: I wish I had a visual but I do not. Could you kindly show me an example?
Queenie60: I love the idea of an adjustable. Is your bezel secured or does it slide? Do you ever have problems with it flipping? Do you have a picture you can share?

 

[Queenie60]

Oh wow! Thanks for all the responses!
Tophat1: I wish I had a visual but I do not. Could you kindly show me an example?
Queenie60: I love the idea of an adjustable. Is your bezel secured or does it slide? Do you ever have problems with it flipping? Do you have a picture you can share?

My bezel is secure and it does not flip, stays in place. I have a photo however, I can't figure out how to upload into a reply? What am I missing here? I'll find my thread and try it that way. Back to you soon.

 

[Queenie60]

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/diamond-pendant-from-idj.222558/

Ok - here's my thread. You can see the pendant. I wear it every day, alone or layered with pearls or another necklace. Stays in place.

 

[MollyMalone]

I'll cast my vote for the sliding style: one of my nieces received that kind of bezeled diamond necklace as a graduation present & she loves the versatility of being able to switch it around from being on the gold chain that originally came with it to a slender silk cord from her color wardrobe of those, a thin suede cord, a very fine wire choker.

 

[Trasid1]

Oh Queenie60. Your necklace is gorgeous! Thank you so much. I have sent 2 emails to IDJ and have not heard back from them yet. Maybe I should call. Second option may be to go with Arkieb1's suggestion of David Klass but he's west coast and I'm east coast. It's a mind thing but N.Y. just sits better in my wee mind! MollyMalone and AprilBaby, thanks for your responses. I'm still on the secure, or sliding fence!

 

[peonyinlove]

i have a .50 ct milgrain bezel from jewels by grace and it's got a sliding chain which has loops at both 15 inches and 16 inches. I was gifted it from my parents for passing the bar, and i have never taken it off since. i too am a petite size 4, it's the perfect size. it's bright and sparkly without being too showy and it's simple and classic enough that it matches everything. i would absolutely choose that style for your daughter!

 

[Trasid1]

I am very excited Peonyinlove and you have helped add to that excitement. I hope my daughter will love her necklace as much as you love yours. Queenie60 had great luck with IDJ recently so I have sent the project to them.

 

[ac117]

They are great to work with!!!! Your daughter will not be disappointed!

 

[Trasid1]

I just received my daughter's necklace! Thank you PS members for all your help. I decided to go with IDJ and I am very pleased. I know the diamond is not perfectly cut but it looks nice and bright in the bezel and should have much sentimental meaning to my daughter. Yekutiel was kind, patient and reasonable. Thank you IDJ!