Diamond Tennis Necklaces

How many carats should a diamond tennis necklace be? Three to five carats reads as a clear, everyday line that still layers under a collar. Six to ten carats becomes an occasion piece worn on its own. Past ten carats, and especially at the 26-carat riviera, it is a red-carpet statement. There is no wrong answer; it depends on how much light you want at the throat.

Natural or lab-grown diamond? Both are real diamond, optically and chemically the same. Natural diamonds carry the premium of being earth-mined and hold their traditional value; lab-grown diamonds let you wear far more carat for the same money, which is why most of the larger pieces here are lab-grown. The natural line leads for buyers who want the mined stone.

What length should I choose? Most of these sit at 16 to 16 and a half inches, which rests just below the collarbone and suits nearly everyone. An 18-inch line sits a little lower and layers easily. One style is adjustable from 15 to 18 inches on a sliding clasp, so it works with any neckline.

What is the difference between a classic and a riviera tennis necklace? A classic line uses diamonds of one size all the way around. A riviera or graduated line grows the diamonds toward the center front, so the necklace frames the neckline and reads more dramatic. Both are tennis necklaces; the riviera is simply the show-stopping version.

Which metal is best for a diamond necklace? White gold is the classic choice because it disappears against the diamonds and lets them look their whitest, which is why it leads here. Yellow and rose gold give the same line a warmer, more vintage feel. Every piece is solid 14K gold throughout, never plated.

Are the diamonds really set all the way around? Yes. Each is a finished piece with every diamond already prong-set and the line complete; nothing is sold as a bare mounting. On the adjustable style, the front is the diamond line and the back is a fine chain that lets it lengthen.

How do I care for it? Diamonds are hard but the prongs are gold, so keep it off when you sleep or work out, and clean it with warm water, a drop of dish soap and a soft brush. It arrives with our lifetime warranty and can be checked and re-tightened at our bench any time.

Can it be a gift? A diamond tennis necklace is one of the classic milestone gifts, given for a landmark birthday, an anniversary or simply a big year. It ships in insured packaging and can be sent straight to the recipient.