Stone size for a solitaire necklace

[diamantes]

Hello everyone!

I have been following Pricescope for awhile and finally decided to register!

I am planning on getting a bezel diamond solitaire necklace (Tiffany''s DBTY solitaire style) custom made in 2010. I would love to get your options on what specs I should look for when purchasing a diamond. I want to end up with a great quality piece, but I know that when it comes to necklaces it''s OK to compromise on color and clarity. What are your thoughts?

Thank you!!

 

[diamantes]

Hi guys,
The subject of my message says "stone size for a solitaire necklace", but what really wanted to know was about QUALITY. Sorry about that!

 

[FancyDiamond]

Date: 12/2/2009 9:27:36 PM
Author:diamantes
Hello everyone!

I have been following Pricescope for awhile and finally decided to register!

I am planning on getting a bezel diamond solitaire necklace (Tiffany''s DBTY solitaire style) custom made in 2010. I would love to get your options on what specs I should look for when purchasing a diamond. I want to end up with a great quality piece, but I know that when it comes to necklaces it''s OK to compromise on color and clarity. What are your thoughts?

Thank you!!

For myself, I would get an ACA (top cut) RB. For my budget, I shall get the largest size possible while keeping the color around H and clarity eye-clean SI1.

In summary: In order of importance
1. cut - ACA or equivalent. Will not compromize.
2. size - largest possible per my budget
3. color - H (will consider I if I have to)
4. clarity - shoot for eye-clean SI1 for the lowest price possible (will consider paying more for VS2 if SI1 is not available)

 

[miraclesrule]

I agree, cut is key. For my pendant, I didn''t hesitate to go to J, but I would not go beyond H for a ring I had to stare at all day. SI1 is as low as I would go for pendant as well.

You will get a larger stone for I or J than an H, but it all boils down to personal preference. I can''t see it on my neck, but everyone else can, and so far, J has worked well for me because the cut is awesome.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Cut is most important.

My pendant is an Expert Selection from WF and dazzles like crazy. The deal is I had a budget and I bought the highest cut/color within that budget. Had I gone down to a I or J, I would have saved only about $150 because I was shopping for a small stone between .4-.45 and in that size, going up in color/clarity doesn't cause a huge jump in price (had I been shopping for a 1+ ct, I'd have hunted around more instead of going with an E VS2.) It IS total overkill. The pendant is gorgeous and icy, however if I ever upgrade it, I'll probably go down to an H or I because I think it would look a bit more natural. (My earrings are F SI1 and FWIW, I cannot see the inclusions and they look just as remarkable as my pendant - those earrings are WF ACAs)

 

[diamantes]

Thank you so much for your input!!!

 

[Kelli]

LOL I guess I''m the wrong one to ask. I have an AGS000 pendant that is an M color.

And I LOVE it! I can definitely take it off and look at the color (which I do all the time because I quite like it), but when it''s on my neck, all I see is brightness and sparkle. It''s an SI1, and I can see a tiny inclusion when looking in from the side, but not from the top, which is what you see when I wear it. Anyhow, have fun with your project!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I''d go for an I or J color SI2 that was eye clean at 8-10 inches. For a pendant that is all you really need IMO!

 

[Lurchie]

Welcome! I did pretty much what everyone else has recommended. Bought the biggest ideal-cut I could afford from Brian Gavin, which meant a .47 K SI2 (eye-clean to me). It shows its warmth except when it''s on my neck and I am pretty pasty white!