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Tennis Necklace: Size, Length, Color?

dnfd

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jan 6, 2024
Messages
130
I’m suddenly finding myself wanting a tennis necklace! I started thinking 3 carat but am getting more comfortable with up to 5 carat. I tried on 16” (first picture) and 17” (second and third pictures). My life is very casual, and I’m only 5’1” and slim build.
The first picture is the 3 carat, second picture is 5 carat, and third picture is 4 carat. Do you think 5 carat looks subtle enough? I’m beginning to think 3 carat is a bit too tiny!
Also, I’m wondering if yellow gold might make it look more casual.
Any help is appreciated! Do you like the look of any of the pics below? Before this week I never gave tennis necklaces a second thought! Now they’re all I think about!IMG_3066.png
 

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Wow a tennis necklace. I feel like the 3ctw is too dainty. The 4 and 5ctw I can't really tell the difference.

Did you order the 16 or 17 inch? Were you able to try on a yellow gold setting? I feel like white metal suits a tennis necklace more as all you see is diamonds hehe. I think at the 4 or 5ctw size it's perfect for everyday wear. If you want a more casual look add some gold chains to stack it with and it'll be great!
 
Wow a tennis necklace. I feel like the 3ctw is too dainty. The 4 and 5ctw I can't really tell the difference.

Did you order the 16 or 17 inch? Were you able to try on a yellow gold setting? I feel like white metal suits a tennis necklace more as all you see is diamonds hehe. I think at the 4 or 5ctw size it's perfect for everyday wear. If you want a more casual look add some gold chains to stack it with and it'll be great!

Thank you so much for confirming what I thought about 3 carat being too tiny! And I do agree that diamonds and these kinds of necklaces do look best in white gold. You're helping me feel I'm on the right track:-) I've only tried 16 and 17" so far, no 18 yet. Do you recommend a preferred length? The 3 carat is in yellow, but, as you said, you mostly just see diamonds:-)
 
Aww I'm happy to help! I feel like 17 is a good length on you. I think 18 might be too long and prone to flipping.
 
Aww I'm happy to help! I feel like 17 is a good length on you. I think 18 might be too long and prone to flipping.

Thank you! I have read about the dreaded flipping!
 
Hi!
@dnfn: what a lovely project!!!
I really like the first and the second picture!
My thoughts:
- the 3 ctw looks very chic and versatile and it would be casual enough for everyday: simple and elegant on its own, but very easy to stack with other necklaces;
- the 5 ctw is wonderful but (maybe) too much for everyday;
- I also prefer diamonds in white metal settings.
 
I'm not suggesting lab diamonds, but I really really like this look:
PS member @princessk 's 3.5 ctw (lab diamond) necklace
IMG_0008.jpegIMG_5450.jpeg
 
I think it depends on if you want it as a stand alone piece or to use in a stack. I don't think the 5 carat is too big though. You want it to be seen but not in your face and I get that. However, I would want it big enough so that folks could appreciate what it is - if that makes sense. I think this length is good for you too and definitely stick with the white gold for this piece!
 
Hi!
@dnfn: what a lovely project!!!
I really like the first and the second picture!
My thoughts:
- the 3 ctw looks very chic and versatile and it would be casual enough for everyday: simple and elegant on its own, but very easy to stack with other necklaces;
- the 5 ctw is wonderful but (maybe) too much for everyday;
- I also prefer diamonds in white metal settings.

Thank you! I don't stack, but I definitely want something simple and elegant. You named exactly what I was looking for! And I now completely agree about white metal.
 
I'm not suggesting lab diamonds, but I really really like this look:
PS member @princessk 's 3.5 ctw (lab diamond) necklace
IMG_0008.jpegIMG_5450.jpeg

Pictures of this PS member's necklace from previous posts are saved in my inspiration folder! (I've been reading everything I could on tennis necklaces.) And I was afraid to mention lab in this particular forum, but my jeweler specifically recommended going lab for this to keep costs down. Thank you!
 
I think it depends on if you want it as a stand alone piece or to use in a stack. I don't think the 5 carat is too big though. You want it to be seen but not in your face and I get that. However, I would want it big enough so that folks could appreciate what it is - if that makes sense. I think this length is good for you too and definitely stick with the white gold for this piece!

Very good points! It would just be a standalone, no stacking. I confess I did think it kind of looked like tiny pearls at the 3 carat mark, and that's not quite the look I was going for. I appreciate the vote for this length and white metal!
 
Very good points! It would just be a standalone, no stacking. I confess I did think it kind of looked like tiny pearls at the 3 carat mark, and that's not quite the look I was going for. I appreciate the vote for this length and white metal!

Totally agree! You want it to stand out and be noticed but not 'in your face huge' for everyday wear. I think it will look fabulous on you!
 
Very good points! It would just be a standalone, no stacking. I confess I did think it kind of looked like tiny pearls at the 3 carat mark, and that's not quite the look I was going for. I appreciate the vote for this length and white metal!

So, you got your answer: 5 ctw is the one!!!
[We want to see the bling bling of diamonds...not tiny pearls!!!]
I'm sure it will be a beautiful standalone tennis necklace!!!
When you get it, please come back with pictures!!!
 
Pictures of this PS member's necklace from previous posts are saved in my inspiration folder! (I've been reading everything I could on tennis necklaces.) And I was afraid to mention lab in this particular forum, but my jeweler specifically recommended going lab for this to keep costs down. Thank you!

Natural diamond price has fallen...since the main cost is on metal and labour, is a lab diamond tennis necklace significantly cheaper than a natural diamond one?
(I'm a natural diamond lover)
 
I don't really notice much size difference between the 4 and the 5 in the photos, so if that is how they really look in person, then I'd go for the 4 ct. Why spend extra money for a 5 if they appear the same when wearing them.
 
Natural diamond price has fallen...since the main cost is on metal and labour, is a lab diamond tennis necklace significantly cheaper than a natural diamond one?
(I'm a natural diamond lover)

For a 5 carat tennis necklace, a GH/SI natural necklace is between $2500 and $3000 more than a DE/VVS lab necklace.
 
I don't really notice much size difference between the 4 and the 5 in the photos, so if that is how they really look in person, then I'd go for the 4 ct. Why spend extra money for a 5 if they appear the same when wearing them.

Very good point! Thank you!
 
Totally agree! You want it to stand out and be noticed but not 'in your face huge' for everyday wear. I think it will look fabulous on you!

Exactly:-) And thank you!
 
So, you got your answer: 5 ctw is the one!!!
[We want to see the bling bling of diamonds...not tiny pearls!!!]
I'm sure it will be a beautiful standalone tennis necklace!!!
When you get it, please come back with pictures!!!

Pictures are forthcoming;-)
 
I tried on 2 lab tennis necklaces today. The first below is an 18” 4-prong at 5.56 carats. The second below is a 17” 3-prong at 5.1 carats. I chose the 5.1 one and really liked the look of the 3 prongs. The stats are DE/VVS. Did I make the right decision? Does 17” look too short? They can extend the 17” to 18” if need be. Thanks to everyone for their vote of confidence!IMG_3072.pngIMG_3073.png
 
Congrats! I don't think it's too short, and I think it looks lovely, and accomplishes the look you were going for. Good job.
 
I tried on 2 lab tennis necklaces today. The first below is an 18” 4-prong at 5.56 carats. The second below is a 17” 3-prong at 5.1 carats. I chose the 5.1 one and really liked the look of the 3 prongs. The stats are DE/VVS. Did I make the right decision? Does 17” look too short? They can extend the 17” to 18” if need be. Thanks to everyone for their vote of confidence!IMG_3072.pngIMG_3073.png

Excellent choice: the lenght is perfect and the three prong setting is lovely!
 
With the three prong, I think you are better able to appreciate the roundness of each stone. I say that as opposed to more of a straight line look. Everyone has their preferences, but I prefer the choice you made. I think the length looks great too, however, my question would be this: when you thought about this necklace and how it would look on you, is this the way you envisioned it? Does it ‘hit’ at a place that is comfortable and shows the beauty of the piece? If so, you are good to go! Congratulations on a beautiful diamond necklace! You have probably stirred some good interest in these necklaces again - lol!
 
Congrats! I don't think it's too short, and I think it looks lovely, and accomplishes the look you were going for. Good job.

Thank you!
 
With the three prong, I think you are better able to appreciate the roundness of each stone. I say that as opposed to more of a straight line look. Everyone has their preferences, but I prefer the choice you made. I think the length looks great too, however, my question would be this: when you thought about this necklace and how it would look on you, is this the way you envisioned it? Does it ‘hit’ at a place that is comfortable and shows the beauty of the piece? If so, you are good to go! Congratulations on a beautiful diamond necklace! You have probably stirred some good interest in these necklaces again - lol!

Thank you and very worthwhile questions! I confess I did expect it to be my standard 18” that I choose for pendant necklaces, but I think this length works for this type of line necklace. At least I hope so? I may rethink it as I try it with different necklines of course. The jeweler did call the vendor to confirm that lengthening wouldn’t be a big deal.
 
@MissGotRocks, your very insightful question about how I envisioned this piece had made me think I should return the 17” for the 18”. I’m reposting the pics of the final two below, first 18” at 5.6 carats and second 17” at 5.1 carats. Although I think I’m now certain 18” is the way to go, do you folks think the longer one at 5.6 ct/4 prong looks noticeably larger than the shorter one at 5.1 ct/3 prong? 5.1 ct was already larger than I originally expected to go. Maybe time to go back to the drawing board? Unless you folks strongly feel 17” is the most flattering length? Oy. Thanks for your patience with my vacillating, everyone! I’m falling down the rabbit hole rapidly!IMG_3072.pngIMG_3073.png
 
I honestly think either length is fine. From the pictures - and it could just be the pictures - it looks as though the longer, four prong necklace lays flatter. Did the ex three prong necklace flip a bit forward? I don’t necessarily think that one looks larger than the other so not sure that would be the criteria for the decision.

Based on your thoughts, and another look at the pics, I vote 18”. If you were to wear a lower cut shirt, the 17” might not show up as well. I think you might feel that the 18” is more comfortable for you. Please bear in mind that this is just my opinion; others may feel differently and you need to be happy with your choice. Good news is that you have two nice choices to choose from so you really can’t go wrong. Please don’t feel you need to apologize for waffling - many of us have done it many times before. The beauty of PS is that this place is made for it - lol!
 
I honestly think either length is fine. From the pictures - and it could just be the pictures - it looks as though the longer, four prong necklace lays flatter. Did the ex three prong necklace flip a bit forward? I don’t necessarily think that one looks larger than the other so not sure that would be the criteria for the decision.

Based on your thoughts, and another look at the pics, I vote 18”. If you were to wear a lower cut shirt, the 17” might not show up as well. I think you might feel that the 18” is more comfortable for you. Please bear in mind that this is just my opinion; others may feel differently and you need to be happy with your choice. Good news is that you have two nice choices to choose from so you really can’t go wrong. Please don’t feel you need to apologize for waffling - many of us have done it many times before. The beauty of PS is that this place is made for it - lol!
The 17” oddly did not flip forward, although I completely see what you mean about the 18 inch laying flatter. Very good point! One concern is exactly what you said: If I wear a round-neck shirt cut a little lower, the 17” might disappear. You’re right that I am more comfortable with 18” now that I’ve evaluated it. Thank you again for your input and very kind words! I’m so glad I found this community:-)
 
The 17” oddly did not flip forward, although I completely see what you mean about the 18 inch laying flatter. Very good point! One concern is exactly what you said: If I wear a round-neck shirt cut a little lower, the 17” might disappear. You’re right that I am more comfortable with 18” now that I’ve evaluated it. Thank you again for your input and very kind words! I’m so glad I found this community:-)

You are very welcome! The necklace is beautiful and I hope you wear it with pleasure! Welcome to Pricescope and I hope you continue to join us! We would love to see more pics of your beauty once the final selection is made and yours!
 
Thank you so very much! I did, indeed, return the 17” and am now the proud owner of the 18”. I’m really happy with my choice and so appreciate the input!
 
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