What is the price of a diamond pendant?

Whether it's a gift of affection or an award, a diamond pendant is a gift that remains original and whose price can vary from simple to tenfold. Zoom in on the characteristics of this exceptional piece of jewelry to learn how to accurately determine the price of a diamond pendant.

To know the price of a diamond necklace, different criteria are to be taken into account whether it is the nature of the diamond, the quality of its cut or its color and its purity.

The price of a diamond pendant according to its weight in carat

The weight of a diamond is expressed in carats. To keep in mind a scale of size, 1 carat = 0.2 grams. Jewelers use a carat scale that is usually accurate to one tenth of a carat. The greater the weight of the diamond in the pendant, the greater the price of the jewelry.

However, it is important to know that the price of a diamond is not only proportional to its carat weight. In fact, diamond dealers use what is called a rapaport grid to determine the price of a diamond based on its carat weight, to which other quality criteria are added. In this grid, there are several ranges, such as from 0.40 to 0.49 carat and from 0.50 to 0.59 carat. With each change in the grid the price per carat increases. The price is calculated according to the carat weight, but changing the grid can change the value of the diamond considerably (for example, from 0.49 to 0.50 carat).

The price of a diamond pendant according to its purity

Most diamonds contain minute traces of uncrystallized carbon, which diamond dealers call inclusions. Often not noticeable to the naked eye, the more inclusions there are, the more the diamond's value decreases. Diamonds without inclusions are considered pure diamonds.

The size of these imperfections determines the diamond's clarity. To determine the clarity index, the gemologist or diamond dealer uses the scale of IF (Internaly Flawless) to I (Included). With for each category a gemological definition to be read further down on this page in the chapter "how to define the purity of a diamond? This scale is composed as follows:

IF- Internally Flawless or internally pure: these diamonds are considered pure under a magnifying glass even under a x10 magnification. These diamonds usually come with a certificate. Demand that it be from GIA, HRD or IGI laboratories.

VVS - Very Very Small Inclusion(s): imperfections are difficult to see with a magnifying glass and are mostly seen under a microscope. There are two subcategories: VVS1 and VVS2 (the latter has more small imperfections compared to the former). Again, the diamond usually comes with a certificate. Demand that it be from GIA, HRD or IGI laboratories.

VS - Very Small Inclusion(s): imperfections can be distinguished with a x10 magnifying glass but with attention. There are also 2 sub-categories (VS1 and VS2). It is also recommended to obtain a certificate for these diamonds. Demand that it be from GIA, HRD or IGI laboratories.

SI - Small Inclusion(s): These diamonds have imperfections that can be easily seen with a 10x loupe. These imperfections do not affect their brilliance. There are 3 subcategories: SI1, SI2 and SI3).

I1 - Included: Imperfections are visible to the naked eye. These imperfections diminish the brilliance of the diamond. I2 and I3: Numerous imperfections visible to the naked eye that greatly reduce the brilliance of the stone.

The price of a diamond varies according to the degree of purity, in addition to its weight in carat.

The price of a diamond pendant according to its color

The other criterion that influences the price of a diamond is its color and/or hue. Diamond dealers also use a color scale to determine the price of a diamond, this scale going from D to Z. The further down the color scale you go, the lower the value of the diamond.

The best color is graded D (Diamond), which is actually relative to a completely colorless diamond. The Z color diamond is a yellow color visible to the naked eye. The more yellow the diamond's hue turns, the less valuable the diamond is.

To determine the exact color of the diamond, diamond dealers use color-calibrated comparison stones.

The price of a diamond pendant according to its quality of cut

Diamonds can have a variety of geometric shapes (round, heart, princess, marquise...). The quality of the cut is part of the criteria for assessing the price of a diamond.

The cut of the diamond plays on its brilliance. The cut is made by man and bad manipulations can alter the brilliance and the reflection of the diamond. The cut affects the path of light through the diamond.

The classification is done as follows:

Excellent: the light and brilliance of the diamond are at their maximum.

Very good: reflects almost all the light that penetrates it.

Good: Reflects most of the light that passes through it with a good quality of brilliance.

Poor: Most of the light escapes through the sides of the diamond impacting the overall light rendering.

The price of a diamond pendant according to its fluorescence

The fluorescence of diamonds is not considered as a criterion fixing their price but for 2 similar diamonds whose difference relates only to the fluorescence, the diamond having fluorescence will be sold less expensive from 2 to 5%. The fluorescence of the diamond is observable in particular by using ultraviolet light which causes the appearance of a blue fluorescent color.

The price of a diamond pendant depends on its quality certificate. Prefer GIA, HRD and IGI certificates

There are 3 very reputable certifications to characterize a diamond:

The GIA certificate (Gemological Institute of America)

The HRD certificate (Diamond High Council)

The IGI certificate (International Gemological Institute)

Thus, to obtain the maximum guarantee concerning the quality of the diamond, the GIA, HRD and IGI certificates are to be preferred. The certificate makes it possible to determine the weight of the diamond in carat, its quality of cut, its color and its purity. The certificate number is laser-inscribed on the diamond's roundel (circumference) in a microscopic manner (requires a x10 microscope to decipher).

The price of a diamond pendant according to the metal: gold, platinum or silver

The price of the pendant is also dictated by the material that makes up its necklace. The price of a diamond pendant in gold is thus dependent on the price of the ounce, just like silver. The weight of gold is also determined in carats.

Platinum is also considered a precious metal and its price depends on the price and weight. The price of platinum is slightly higher than gold, and much higher than silver.

To be able to compare the price of diamond necklaces, several criteria should be scrutinized.

How to check the quality of the diamond set on the necklace: ask for a GIA, HRD or IGI certificate

The 4 criteria that influence the quality of a set diamond are: clarity, number of carats, color and quality of the cut. In order to determine the price and avoid any unpleasant surprises, it is recommended to request a GIA, HRD or IGI certificate that classifies the diamond according to these 4 criteria.

How to know if the diamond necklace is made of 18K gold (750/000) ?

When a diamond necklace is made of 18 karat gold, it means that on 24 grams of gold, there are 18 grams of pure gold and 6 grams of other metals. In order to ensure that the titration of the necklace is indeed 18 carats, it is necessary to check the hallmark of the gold which must be the head of a royal eagle in France or a diamond in which is written 750.

How do I know if the diamond necklace is in platinum (950/000)?

Platinum 950/1000 means that the platinum alloy is 95% pure platinum. It is recognizable by its luster (white) and brilliance. To ensure that it is this type of alloy, a dog head stamp should be marked somewhere on the necklace.

Compare the weight of gold and platinum between diamond necklaces, as this weight impacts the price of the necklace

While the price of the diamond affects the necklace, it is also necessary to compare the gold and platinum weights for a comprehensive comparison of the entire necklace. The weight in gold (carats) and platinum determines the price which is set by the stock exchange. Be sure to check the presence of hallmarks, obtaining a certificate is also recommended.

Diamond pendants for women and men can be found in jewelry stores or on the Internet. The price of diamond pendants can vary according to different criteria other than the quality of the diamond, gold, silver and platinum. For custom made diamond pendants, the price will be available upon request.

Why is the price of a diamond pendant cheaper on the internet?

The price of the pendant can vary depending on the intermediaries, the distribution circuit and the logistics set up for the storage of the precious stones. On the Internet, diamond experts offer unbeatable prices for diamond necklaces because they have few intermediaries and manage to negotiate the lowest purchase price. However, you have to take into account the delivery costs which can reduce the difference with the price observed in traditional jewelry stores.

How not to sacrifice the quality of the diamond while buying a pendant at a low price?

If you are looking for a quality diamond, whose brilliance is remarkable without appearing dull, it is essential not to sacrifice a few criteria such as the quality of the cut and its purity index. Obtaining a GIA, HRD or IGI certified diamond is a guarantee to obtain a quality gemstone whose value is in perfect adequacy with its price.

The purchase price of a diamond pendant can change according to stock market prices and international events.

What is the evolution of the price of diamond pendants?

The price of a diamond is updated weekly by Martin Rapaport, who has established the price of a diamond according to the number of carats and other criteria such as the quality of the cut, the purity and the color. In addition, the price of platinum, gold or silver varies according to the material of the necklace.

There is a positive trend in the price of diamond pendants (a few % per year). It should be noted that the price of a pendant can easily be overestimated at auction.

Where to get an estimate of the quality and price of your diamond pendant ?

In order to estimate the quality of a diamond solitaire pendant, it is recommended to go through a diamond dealer who has all the necessary equipment to validate the overall quality of the jewel (diamond purity, color index, certification analysis, weight in gold, silver or platinum.)

For half a century, laboratories have been manufacturing synthetic or cultured diamonds to meet the needs of industry.

Manufactured in laboratories and able to serve industries needing strong, durable materials, synthetic diamonds are much less expensive than natural diamonds. It is estimated that these diamonds sell for between 30 and 50% less than their natural counterparts.

But natural diamonds retain their value over time while synthetic diamonds depreciate

To date, technology has not been able to produce large, high-purity synthetic diamonds on an industrial scale. Also, the price of a laboratory or synthetic diamond depreciates in value over time, whereas a natural diamond retains its value and even increases in value depending on the price.

Diamond lovers prefer natural diamonds because of their unique characteristics.

For more information about diamond necklaces, you can visit our pages How to choose a diamond pendant and Why buy a diamond pendant?

After buying your diamond necklace, we invite you to read the article about cleaning your diamond pendant.