Diamond pendant for my wedding day... How big or small to go

[Stalecupcake]

Hi ladies,

I got engaged recently on a hike and now we are talking about wedding rings and wedding day presents. Before even trying on any wedding rings, I'm already planning my wedding day present and I've decided I want a diamond pendant. Every piece of jewelry I wear is from my FI, and has a specific meaning. I currently wear a Tiffany's necklace every day, that he bought me while we were still dating, and this diamond pendant would be something to change it up with or for dressier occasions.

On my wedding day, I plan to leave my hair down in a voluminous "glam" way, as I don't like how I look with my hair up. So I think a diamond pendant in full bezel setting or with a halo would be the perfect as initially I thought I should get earrings, but having my hair down would defeat the purpose.

What size and clarity/cut/color should I get if I went for a full bezel setting and what about if I went with a halo pendant? Especially if I want there to be some presence but not so much that it competes with my e-ring (3ct AGS ideal solitaire)? Is 0.50 ct enough to make a present on my neck or should I go for 0.75 ct? I have a short neck and I'm olive skin toned. I want it to look like a sparkly diamond but not so huge that I look all decked out 24/7! Also, WhiteFlash has preset diamonds for their full bezel set diamond pendants - has anyone tried and can vouch for their quality as uncertified diamonds? I read the description and they're not expert select diamonds or anything so that worries me!

Here's the link: http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-pendants/full-bezel-diamond-pendant-51.htm

Please help and set my mind at ease! Also, I want to spend as little as possible because our wedding is already costing us a ton and I feel bad for my FI after r got me such a beautiful e-ring and then finds out that it's customary to give the bride a wedding day gift (and vice versa).

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Diamond pendant for my wedding day... How big or small t

To be honest, I think a halo setting would be much more appropriate for a wedding dress than a bezel, especially since you already have a more casual pendant. With a three carat e-ring (I need to see that! Have you posted it yet?), I would go as close as possible to a carat with a delicate halo. It will still be smaller than your e-ring diamond with the halo. A .9 diamond might be a good value with staying just under a carat. A lot of settings will be for 1 ct or 6.5mm, though, so unless you go custom for the setting, be careful about diamond size. I'd go with an ideal or excellent cut stone.

I love WhiteFlash and their jewelry is excellent quality. I have a custom diamonds-by-the-yard necklace and bracelet from them, in addition to my studs.

I do not like that particular bezel pendant, though. They make a beautiful handmade bezel, but again, I think you need the halo for a wedding dress and to increase the size appearance of the piece in proportion to your e-ring. In the setting below, you might could get away with .80, but I'd try to go as close to a carat as you can (since this will be a special sentimental piece, I am thinking you won't want to upgrade it, so that is why I am suggesting getting the forever size you want now). I'd like to know what color your diamond ring is, because that would influence my opinion on the color for the pendant stone. But I would probably say around G-H VS2-SI1 would be great for the pendant center. An expert selection stone would be fine.

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-pendants/halo-prong-diamond-pendant-1749.htm

They have several very nice stones, too:

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3518163.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3259359.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3403885.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3372541.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3372545.htm

 

[JDDN]

Re: Diamond pendant for my wedding day... How big or small t

Please don't take this the wrong way, but why do you "have" to buy each other wedding day presents? Unless this is a cultural custom that you are very firm on honoring, it seems like these sort of traditions are really up to the bride and groom in this modern day and age.

If you are already spending a ton of money as you put it and your fiancé bought you a 3 carat diamond, maybe save the pendant for your first anniversary. You can get beautiful pendants and necklaces that are wedding day appropriate from Nordstrom and other like stores and it won't cost an arm and a leg. Nadri comes to mind as an option.

Wedding day presents are really sweet if it's something that's meaningful. Not if you "have" to do it and it's just another expense. You can give each other wedding day presents that are hand made or just sentimental and not a fine piece of jewelry. These are just thoughts of course.

If you are firm on a diamond pendant, here's a thread to get an idea of sizes. I just bought a 0.7 carat diamond and had it set in BGD's Barbara pendant. It's beautiful, but it's not a large diamond, lol. 0.5 is pretty small for wedding day, but could be great as an everyday sort of pendant. If you go that small, then I would probably put it in a halo.


http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/nadri-pendant-necklace/4049922?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=1687


http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/nadri-floral-crystal-y-necklace/3970544?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=2591


[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-bezel-pendants.193375/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-bezel-pendants.193375/[/URL]

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Diamond pendant for my wedding day... How big or small t

I also have a .80 set in a BG bezel and I feel like it is a little small in proportion to my 2.3 ct e-ring and plan to reset in something else. I should have mentioned that in my first post. I also agree that gifts are not required. My daughter and son-in-law exchanged cards/letters on that day. I'd much rather wait and get the item I really wanted rather than one that was too small but sentimental and couldn't be upgraded.

 

[mrs-b]

Re: Diamond pendant for my wedding day... How big or small t

I also have a .80 set in a BG bezel and I feel like it is a little small in proportion to my 2.3 ct e-ring and plan to reset in something else. I should have mentioned that in my first post. I also agree that gifts are not required. My daughter and son-in-law exchanged cards/letters on that day. I'd much rather wait and get the item I really wanted rather than one that was too small but sentimental and couldn't be upgraded.

Ditto this - and JDDN's comment above. If your skin is olive, I'd consider pearls. On a budget, you can't really get a diamond that would balance out your e-ring - yet you can get lovely freshwater pearls from Pearl Paradise (a very well respected vendor on these boards) for a fraction of the price. I also like the look of pearls on olive skin - the sheen against your skin would be very pretty and it would let your e-ring keep center stage. You could always get a pearl pendant with diamond accents, which would look gorgeous also.

Even if you went all the way, with a large (11-12mm) South Sea AAA pearl set in a lovely diamond setting, it would still be oceans less than the sort of diamond pendant you're considering. Here's a gorgeous pearl and diamond wedding pendant:

https://www.pearlparadise.com/p-224-purity-collection-white-south-sea-pearl-amp-diamond-pendant.aspx

And FWIW, my husband bought me a tea set as a wedding gift - and I have it, love it and use it to this day. I believe it cost less than $200. Traditionally, wedding gifts between spouses-to-be really aren't mandatory, so if it doesn't suit your budget, I'd say don't do it. If, however, you want something with substance, and it has to be diamond in appearance, you might want to consider some of the better synthetics out there; they're not what they used to be and a lot of women here have them for when they travel, or simply as an alternative to the diamonds they have. Worth looking into.

Just to speak directly to your question, tho - I think 1/2 a ct would be too small to do what you're looking for it to do. A 3/4ct would be better, but I think you're want to be solidly in the 6mm+ range - and with a halo - for it to offer any balance to your ring. However, there are no rules re this sort of thing - especially these days - so if balance and all that stuff doesn't bother you, I'd say do what you like, do what you can afford, and enjoy your pieces.

However, it really is worth considering the pearl pendant option - you could get something spectacular and unique of top quality, and it would be worth keeping all your life. Good luck!

 

[lambskin]

Re: Diamond pendant for my wedding day... How big or small t

The obligatory wedding gift of jewelry is not a traditional western custom. But it has infiltrated modern weddings and is now on the checklist of 'to do'. Unless your groom is wealthy or has a heirloom piece of jewelry his mom or grandma want to share I would not press the issue. A 3 carat ER will be hard to top. Anything less will pale in comparison. You will have your hair down and most likely a fancy dress with bling. A small diamond pendant will look dinky and be dwarfed by the hair, veil and dress. I think pearls is a great idea. A strand of beautiful FWP AAA quality or a beautiful huge South Sea Pearl pendant would be stunning. You could have a half carat accent on the drop. Don't forget he still has to buy the wedding band....

 

[acaw2015]

Re: Diamond pendant for my wedding day... How big or small t

I agree with what everyone here have said, but I also want to add that if you do chose to buy a pendant, it doesn't necessarily need to be perfect for wearing on your wedding. I mean, a .5 could be nice to have for everyday wear and be wonderful as a sentimental piece and you could wear something else on your wedding day. However, if you already know that you would want to upgrade that size later (even for every day wear) I agree with what the other posters have said, it is better to wait until an anniversary or some other time and get what you really want if it seems too expensive now. Considering your engagement ring size, that may be a better option.

That pearl pendant is gorgeous btw mrs-blop !!!

 

[PrincessMichelle]

Re: Diamond pendant for my wedding day... How big or small t

Hello!

We decided to pick out a gift for my "something new" for our wedding day and he also picked out something he wanted as a wedding gift from me. We didn't do it because we felt we HAD to because that is a very slippery slope and we do not make any financial decisions that put stress on us or make us think twice...why invite those emotions into your life ever...especially during an already stressful time! Just reading a portion of your comment made me uncomfortable! You are not obligated by tradition or anyone to do ANYTHING that causes you stress or financial burdens...It is your wedding and it is important but at the end of the day...it is ONE day...do not make that day bleed negatively into the rest of your lives because of the financial decisions you made getting caught up in the stuff that doesnt matter....Ok, I am done with that part and I am sorry if I offended you...so with that said..... I got mine about a month early (I got it last week, my wedding is Sep. 19th) We went with the DBTY bezel from Tiffanys so I can not vouch for WF but I will say that I really adore it. We decided on the .67 carat..Originally, we went in for the .25 and just gradually increased we are really happy with the purchase and I haven't taken it off since we left Tiffany's. (so much for 'something new' ) it isn't flashy. I was concerned with it being too much like you said because my ring is pretty large but we think it's perfect. We also went with a pair of 1cttw diamond studs and that's it on wedding jewelry! I will post photos! Good luck on whatever you decide and congrats!!!

 

[Phanie]

Re: Diamond pendant for my wedding day... How big or small t

If you are going to do the present to each other (which, unless it is a cultural thing, is not a tradition here in the US; just another push from sellers!), I would advise you to go pearl too.
Much better bang for your bucks and you do not want to already have a "all your basics" collection done by the time you are just brand new married, especially if upgrading is not going to happen. ( i don't upgrade too for sentimental reason too, I just get new things ).
If you are going to have big hair, a 1/2 carat pendant will look small and might just go unnoticed. So to get to a nice noticeable size .75 to 1ct would be your sweet spot. And you are starting to see the $$$ adding.
You can get a very nice pearl pendant for a fraction of a a 1ct pendant.
Pearls are more wedding than diamond as far as jewelry goes in France (I am French) for anything else than the rings.
somethiing like this too would be nice and you can have a pearl 10mm and up
https://www.pearlparadise.com/p-219-orion-collection-white-south-sea-pearl-amp-diamond-pendant.aspx

If you are already thinking that money is getting out of hand the pearl option is great and you still have something very good and special.

 

[SomethingSinful]

Re: Diamond pendant for my wedding day... How big or small t

I think the Harry Winston loop pendent looks super bridal. Is that a style you've considered? If it's something you like maybe see if something like it could be made for you in budget and in time.
http://www.harrywinston.com/en/diamond-loop-harry-winston-extra-large-diamond-pendant

 

[LLJsmom]

Re: Diamond pendant for my wedding day... How big or small t

Get something blingy and fake for your wedding day. You already have a 3 ct ering. Then save the money and get a bezel necklace that you can wear everyday.

 

[Californiadreaming]

Re: Diamond pendant for my wedding day... How big or small t

I have to agree with other posters, I don't see why you need to get all your big jewellery purchases in one hit? I get wanting the necklace of course! Everyone on this site loves diamonds and wants more and more

For me - I had a tiny 0.3ct ring when we married 20 years ago. I got my 0.5 pendant necklace when my son was born. A tennis bracelet when my daughter was born. 10 years later my 1.3 carat earrings. 5 years after that my 3ct eternity ring and right now I am hunting for a 1 carat solitaire ring for our 20th anniversary.

And - not to brag but to put into context - we are very comfortably off financially. It STILL doesn't mean I will go crazy with diamond purchases because there are so many other things to consider in life - our children's education and health to name two. However I am sure there will be a few more upgrades and anniversary pieces to come!

Any way I will stop whittling on - many, many congratulations on your engagement and upcoming wedding. Enjoy and be patient, those purchases and gifts will come over the years!

x

 

[iLander]

Re: Diamond pendant for my wedding day... How big or small t

Every time I've seen this necklace on the Costco website, I've thought it would be perfect for a bride. And the cost is probably very close to what a solitaire would cost you. And, if you keep the appraisal paperwork, you can exchange it after the wedding for a solitaire necklace. But I think it would be perfect for fancy occasions and an heirloom.

http://www.costco.com/Round-Brilliant-1.00-ctw-VS2-Clarity%2c-I-Color-Diamond-14kt-White-Gold-Necklace.product.100075712.html

Just an idea.

 

[swissmiss]

Re: Diamond pendant for my wedding day... How big or small t

Does your mom or MIL (if you're on good terms) have any necklaces to lend you for the big day? That way it can also be your "something borrowed". Just a thought so that you can then have more time (and save up $) to get the pendant you really want.

ETA: Congratulations!!