Diamond Necklaces: Styles, Lengths, Settings, Prices and How to Buy One

What should you know before buying diamond necklaces? Diamond necklaces range from a single solitaire pendant to a full tennis or riviera line, so choose the style and length first, then judge the diamonds on cut, color and clarity, and check the clasp and chain as carefully as the stones.

By Anthony Chege, gem and jewelry dealer with 20 years’ experience sourcing and selling diamond pendants and necklaces
Last updated: November 2026 · Checked against De Beers consumer research and published jewelry references

What are the main styles of diamond necklaces?

The main styles are the solitaire pendant, the tennis necklace, the station necklace, the halo pendant, the riviera and the choker. Each spreads the diamonds differently, which changes both the look and the price.

The tennis necklace borrows its name from the tennis bracelet. While playing at the 1978 US Open, Chris Evert lost her diamond line bracelet on court and asked to pause play, and “tennis bracelet” stuck (Wikipedia). The necklace name came later, by extension. Our guide to tennis bracelets covers the matching piece.

Chokers and collar necklaces sit high on the neck and suit formal outfits with open necklines. Statement collars like the one above often use colored stones or simulants rather than diamonds, so check the description carefully.

Which length should you choose for a diamond necklace?

For most people, a princess length of about 18 inches is the safest choice for a pendant, because it sits at the collarbone and works with most necklines. Shorter lengths frame the face, and longer ones suit layering or high necklines.

Length names and ranges vary slightly between sellers; these follow the common classifications (Wikipedia). A common regret is buying the chain too short, so if you’re unsure, an adjustable chain with a slider or extra loop gives you room.

Which settings hold the diamonds in a necklace?

Most diamond necklaces use prong, bezel or pavé settings. Prongs let in the most light, bezels give the most protection, and pavé covers a surface with tiny diamonds for maximum sparkle.

Four-prong and six-prong settings suit solitaire pendants, while tennis necklaces usually use prongs or a box-style setting for each stone. A bezel is a good choice for a pendant worn every day, since it protects the girdle from knocks and won’t snag on knitwear.

How do you judge the diamonds in a necklace?

Judge a pendant diamond on cut first, then color and clarity. A necklace sits farther from the eye than a ring, so small inclusions are rarely visible, but poor cut makes a stone look dull from any distance; our diamond cut guide explains why.

For a solitaire pendant of half a carat or more, ask for a grading report and read our diamond certificate guide. For tennis and riviera necklaces, check that the stones are well matched in color, and remember that “total carat weight” adds up every small diamond; our diamond carat guide explains how weight relates to size.

How much do diamond necklaces cost?

Diamond necklaces cost anything from a few hundred dollars for a small pendant to tens of thousands for a tennis or riviera line. The total carat weight, the cut and color of the stones, the metal and the brand all drive the price.

For a benchmark, the average natural diamond jewelry piece bought in the US cost $4,063 in 2025, according to De Beers’ survey of 18,500 women (De Beers Group). Big designer names cost more for the same diamonds, so compare grading reports, not logos.

Are lab-grown diamond necklaces a good alternative?

Yes, if you want a large look on a budget. Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds with the same chemistry as mined ones, and wholesale prices for 1 to 3 carat lab stones fell 42% in a year (Modern Jeweler). They resell for very little, though, so buy them for wearing, not as an asset.

Be careful not to confuse lab-grown diamonds with simulants. Cubic zirconia jewelry looks similar but isn’t diamond and costs a fraction of the price.

Where should you buy diamond necklaces?

Buy from a jeweler or online retailer that gives clear specifications, a grading report for larger stones, a written return policy and a warranty on the clasp. Department stores, independent jewelers and online sellers can all be good; the paperwork matters more than the shop.

Pick the metal to suit the wearer: platinum is strong and naturally white, while white gold costs less but needs occasional rhodium replating. A necklace that matches existing diamond earrings in metal and color makes an easy set, and our diamond jewelry guide covers the wider picture.

How do you care for a diamond necklace?

Clean diamond necklaces with warm water, a drop of dish soap and a soft brush, then rinse and lay flat to dry. Store them hanging or flat in a lined box so the chain doesn’t knot, and take them off for swimming, sleeping and the gym.

Check the clasp and the prongs every few months, because a worn clasp is a common way necklaces get lost. An ultrasonic cleaner is fine for solid gold or platinum with diamonds, but avoid it for pieces with soft gemstones such as emeralds.

Frequently asked questions about diamond necklaces

About the author: Anthony Chege

Anthony Chege is a gem and jewelry dealer with 20 years’ experience sourcing, grading and selling diamonds and diamond jewelry. He writes for Diamond Rings Info on diamond grading, pricing and buying.