As a jewelry aficionado, I know that finding the best diamond necklace can be an overwhelming experience, with countless styles and retailers to choose from.
Over the past several years, I've immersed myself in the dazzling world of diamond necklaces, carefully evaluating options and hunting for the absolute best in terms of design, quality, and value.
To help you make the perfect choice for that special piece of jewelry, I've curated a list of the most stunning diamond necklaces that are sure to make a statement and leave a lasting impression.
At LearningJewelry.com, we understand that trust is a vital factor in the diamond buying process. That's why we want to assure you that our articles are written by experts who have extensive knowledge and experience in the diamond industry.
Our primary author Juli Church is a certified diamontologist with over 7 years of experience in sorting and evaluating diamonds for quality and value. She worked at retail stores for Kay and Zales where she learned industry secrets and now uses her insider knowledge to help readers like you to save big on the perfect gem for their needs.
Juli has written hundreds of jewelry and diamond articles and spends much of her free time browsing and helping out in ring buying Facebook groups to keep up with the latest diamond and wedding trends. Her wealth of knowledge and experience has given her a unique perspective on what information truly helps our readers find and buy the perfect diamond engagement ring or piece of jewelry.
With our team of experts and our commitment to providing accurate and trustworthy information, you can trust LearningJewelry.com to guide you through the diamond buying process with confidence.
Best Places To Buy A Diamond Necklace
If you need the list quick, here are my top picks when shopping for the best diamond necklace online. Keep reading for more information about each of these shops.
- Best Overall: James Allen
- Best Variety: Brilliant Earth
- Largest Selection: Blue Nile
- Best Colored Diamonds: Leibish & Co.
- Best Diamond Cuts: Whiteflash
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. James Allen | 
Editor's Choice
|
Best Overall
|
Click For Best Price |
| 2. Brilliant Earth | 
Most Versatile
|
Variety Of Styles
|
Click For Best Price |
| 3. Blue Nile | 
Largest Selection
|
Great Designs
|
Click For Best Price |
| 4. Leibish & Co. | 
Best Colored Diamonds
|
Vivid Fancy Diamonds
|
Click For Best Price |
| 5. Whiteflash | 
Most Unique Designs
|
Branded Diamonds
|
Click For Best Price |
Look:
You may or may not be aware that diamond necklaces are a crowd favorite in women's accessories. There are many different types and styles.
They're versatile and make perfect gift ideas for Valentine's Day, birthdays, and other special occasions.
April babies have it made when it comes to birthstone jewelry. The traditional birthstone is diamond, but other diamond simulants may be used instead to keep cost down.
The most popular types of simulated diamonds you might see represented in birthstone jewelry are:
- White Topaz
- White Sapphire
- Cubic Zirconia
- Clear Swarovski Crystal
What's more:
Diamond necklaces look fab and sophisticated when worn with a pair of diamond earrings, bracelets, or colored gemstone jewelry. There's a lot of unique designs to choose from and classic ones too.
So first you need to know which diamond necklaces types you like. Second, you'll need to know where to buy diamond necklaces from.
So without further ado, here's my picks on the best place to buy a diamond necklace online!
1. James Allen
If you're looking for the best diamond necklaces or the best diamond pendant, look no further than James Allen.
Here's why I would buy a diamond necklace at James Allen:
They're my top choice as the leading online retailer in diamonds and fine jewelry after researching various options.
James Allen offers its customers a wide selection of fashionable diamond necklaces and diamond pendants, allowing you to compare and decide on the perfect piece.
Plus:
Under the diamond pendants, you can choose from preset necklaces or get creative and customize your very own design!
Here's how it works:
First, I would select the loose diamond using filters like carat weight, clarity, cut, and color grades.
You also get to pick out what metal setting you want, such as platinum, yellow gold, rose gold, and white gold, allowing you to prioritize your preferences.
But, just keep in mind that not all settings are available in all metals.
Now:
In the fashion diamond necklaces category, there are plenty of different styles, which I assessed to find the one that suits me best.
Some of these styles include classics like diamond halo pendants, bar necklaces, drop necklaces, and other unique designs.
My favorite necklace I've seen while scrolling through is this exquisite fancy yellow diamond pendant.
It's in a higher price range, but there are a ton of options below $1,000 to choose from.
It gets better:
James Allen warranties all their diamond jewelry with a lifetime guarantee of wear and tear repairs such as cleaning or polishing. They also do other repairs like breaks in the chain or a broken clasp.
Plus, I appreciate how you have 30-days to return your purchase for a full refund if for some reason you aren't satisfied, providing a secure buying experience.
In summary:
James Allen is the best in the business when it comes to buying diamonds online, and their necklaces are no exception.
Visit their official site from the link below to shop for the best diamond pendant or the best diamond necklaces:
Pros
- Lifetime Warranty covers wear and tear repairs
- Choose your own pendant
- Affordable prices
- GIA certified diamond pendants
Cons
- Limited amount of settings
2. Brilliant Earth
Brilliant Earth is a pretty well-known online diamond retailer that specializes in "Beyond Conflict Free" diamonds. While most of their customers visit their showrooms or website to build their own diamond engagement ring, I found that they also carry a wide selection of fine jewelry, including diamond necklaces.
Like many other retailers, Brilliant Earth offers both build-your-own solitaire diamond pendants and preset necklaces.
The selections they offer are versatile, which is crucial when you aren't exactly sure which style you want. A lot of companies have very specific designs, such as funny emblems and initial jewelry. But Brilliant Earth has a lot of classy diamond necklaces that are perfect to dress an outfit up, like this 18K white gold Icon Diamond Necklace below:
You can choose from mined diamonds or lab-created diamonds. If you choose to Create Your Own solitaire pendant, you also get the option of choosing one of their blockchain or recycled diamonds. Recycled diamonds are diamonds that have been recut or repurposed.
I was impressed to find out that blockchain diamonds are unique to Brilliant Earth and they use a highly secure software network that tracks a diamond through all seven phases of production. Blockchain networks are done frequently for secure companies and Brilliant Earth partnered with a company to do it for diamonds-thus going "Beyond Conflict Free".
I actually really like their solitaire pendant setting styles too. They've got a selection of pretty and unique settings you won't find at other online retailers, like this stunning rose gold Ocean Diamond Pendant setting to the right.
When you buy diamond necklaces at Brilliant Earth, you're also given the option of adding a 3-year Extended Service Plan. The cost of the plan is dependent on the cost of the item purchased. It can also be renewed at the end of the 3-year period.
Unfortunately, I noticed you can't add it online when you check out. You'll have to call customer service and have it charged separately. If you're in a showroom, you'll hear about it from an associate.
Either way, it's well worth checking out the wide pendant selection from Brilliant Earth:
Pros
- Mined and lab diamond options
- Versatile diamond necklace styles
- Offers blockchain and recycled diamonds for solitaire pendants
Cons
- Have to add warranty after purchasing online
- No 14K gold options
3. Blue Nile
Blue Nile offers a large selection of diamond necklaces featuring classic designs as well as unique ones too, which I researched and compared to find the perfect match.
They have plenty of commonly requested bridal jewelry, such as the diamond drop bar and diamond pearl jewelry.
They carry jewelry in a range of price options, allowing me to budget accordingly. However, most of the pieces are higher-end items like this gorgeous three-tiered diamond necklace:
If you are looking for a single diamond or solitaire pendant, Blue Nile is also a fantastic choice. It has the same concept as James Allen for choosing your own loose diamonds through filters.
They have colored diamonds as well, but you can't set them into the pendants, nor are you able to do a 360 view like you can with the colorless diamonds.
Fancy color diamonds have to be purchased individually as loose stones. Also, I've noticed they don't carry black diamond pendants either.
In their fashion necklace collection, they have a wide range of modern and classic styles, which I assessed and prioritized based on my preferences.
You can choose from all diamond necklaces or gemstone necklaces. Blue Nile also offers more affordable diamond jewelry set in sterling silver.
It's difficult to see the details in the pictures. So, if you're not feeling the look of the necklace after you get it, they do offer 30-day returns and pay for the shipping label, providing a secure purchase experience.
Keep in mind, though, that diamond necklaces that are engraved are non-refundable.
If the options above don't suit you, I'm sure you'll be able to find the necklace of your dreams from the expansive selection at Blue Nile after thoroughly inspecting their offerings.
Pros
- Wide selection
- Affordable
- 30 day returns
- Solitaire necklaces and fashion necklaces
Cons
- No black diamond pendants
- Can't set fancy colored diamonds in pendants
4. Leibish & Co.
Leibish & Co. specializes in high-quality fancy colored diamonds. You won't find many colorless diamonds on the site for loose stones, but you can find a pretty good amount in the already-set necklace section under fine jewelry.
You might not know where to buy diamond necklaces for women, especially if you're trying to avoid the most popular diamond necklaces. Leibish is where I'd place my money.
You can choose from yellow, gray, brown, orange, and pink diamonds to customize into a pendant. The prices are definitely in the higher tier, as fancy vivid color diamond prices can skyrocket.
I don't like that they don't have any kind of 360 view, only a magnified picture of it. I prefer being able to see the stone from all angles.
But man, let me tell you...these pieces are breathtaking. The colorless diamonds look so pretty in a halo around a fancy color diamond.
Check out this one here that actually features a halo of pink diamonds.
They also offer a selection gemstone/diamond hybrid pendants, like this pretty round cut ruby and diamond necklace.
When it comes to benefits, Leibish and Co. has a manufacturer's warranty, but not one that covers routine maintenance.
That alone is going to help you keep an expensive piece in tip-top shape. They offer 30-day refunds if you're not satisfied and make the process easy for you as well, ensuring a supportive buying experience.
Pros
- Vivid fancy diamonds
- Create a pendant option
- Gemstone diamond pendants
Cons
- No 360 view
- Few colorless loose diamonds.
- Can be very expensive
5. Whiteflash
whiteflash.com
Whiteflash is another popular online diamond jewelry store that I researched and compared to others. They carry almost 100 diamond necklaces, pendants included, which is a fair amount for an online retailer.
You get the choice of either selecting your loose diamond to be set into the setting of your choice, or you can select a carat weight of pre-selected stones with general diamond grades after inspecting their options.
It's kind of strange, but this may be a more affordable option for someone who isn't necessarily looking for the top of the line diamond. Whiteflash specializes in the best cut diamonds, so they charge a small premium with their diamonds.
The diamond pendants collection not only features solitaire pendants but also has fun designs that other competitors don't carry.
There are a couple of classics still, like my personal favorite, the Journey Pendant, which I decided upon after assessing the variety.
This pendant has 7 of Whiteflash's personally-cut diamond collection, A Cut Above Diamonds. These branded diamonds are super ideal cut.
Additionally, Whiteflash offers A Cut Above Diamonds in diamond rings and diamond earrings, allowing you to customize your jewelry set.
Whiteflash offers a temporary warranty for the first year. All routine work such as polishing, retipping of prongs, tightening of stones, and polishing are done for free within one year, which I verified before purchasing.
After that, you'll have to pay for any work done if you didn't purchase the care plans they offer during checkout.
Remember that anything purchased from the virtual collection service has to be returned within 10 days, not the normal 30-day warranty like with the other pieces. It's essential to read and understand their return policy to ensure a smooth shopping experience.
Pros
- Fair size collection of diamond necklaces
- Offers excellent care plans for purchase
- Pre-selected carat weight offered
- Free service for a year
Cons
- Difficult to navigate
- Bad light to view diamond characteristics
Additional Buying Options
These stores are among the best diamond necklace retailers, offering a variety of options for customers seeking high-quality and stunning pieces. From our own research, James Allen stands out as our top recommendation for buying the best diamond necklace.
Online stores such as James Allen, Blue Nile, Whiteflash, Brilliant Earth, Leibish & Co., Ritani, and Borsheims provide an excellent platform for customers to explore and purchase exquisite diamond necklaces from the comfort of their own homes.
These retailers offer various options for customization, ensuring that you find the perfect piece for yourself or your loved one.
For those who prefer a brick-and-mortar shopping experience, renowned stores like Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston, Cartier, Bvlgari, Chopard, Kay Jewelers, Zales, Helzberg Diamonds, Jared, Beaverbrooks, Ben Bridge Jeweler, De Beers, and Graff Diamonds have physical locations where customers can visit, consult with expert staff, and personally inspect the quality and beauty of their diamond necklaces.
However, it is important to note that we have not personally vetted all of these stores. These establishments are known for their exceptional service and commitment to providing only the finest jewelry pieces.
How We Selected The Best Places To Buy Diamond Necklaces
Selection
When researching the best diamond necklace, I compared various stores and their offerings, prioritizing a diverse selection of designs and styles. I consulted friends and experts for their recommendations, ensuring that the chosen store had a reputation for providing high-quality necklaces.
Quality
I focused on the quality of the diamonds, inspecting their cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. I verified their authenticity by checking for certificates from reputable organizations, such as GIA or AGS, and prioritized stores that sourced conflict-free diamonds.
Settings and Jewelry Available
I evaluated the available settings and jewelry styles, customizing options to suit many preferences. I assessed various types of chains, pendants, and metals to find the perfect combination for beautiful diamond necklaces.
Pricing
I compared pricing across different stores to determine where customers can receive the best value for their money. I considered the payment options available as well.
Website Experience
I visited numerous online stores and analyzed their website experiences, focusing on user-friendly interfaces, easy navigation, and high-quality product images. I read customer reviews to gain insight into the shopping experiences of others.
In-Person Experience
For brick-and-mortar stores, I prioritized a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere, allowing me to inspect and test the diamond necklaces at my leisure. I valued knowledgeable and friendly staff who could answer my questions and address any concerns.
My Experience
Throughout the process of selecting the best place to buy diamond necklaces from, I was committed to fully testing out all the essential components of each retailer to provide a trusted list of recommendations.
Customer Service
I prioritized excellent customer service, evaluating each store's responsiveness and willingness to assist me throughout my shopping journey. I inquired about warranty, return, and exchange policies to ensure my rights as a buyer were protected, and I appreciated stores that offered secure shipping and storage options.
FAQ When Buying Diamond Necklaces Online
The vast selection of diamond necklaces online can be overwhelming.
And there are a lot of questions to ask. Should you get one that's all diamonds or a mix of gemstones and diamonds? What will you set it in? Rose gold? White gold? Maybe yellow gold?
The possibilities are endless. Check out the most asked questions about buying diamonds online.
Is It Cheaper To Buy Diamond Necklaces Online?
The price of a diamond necklace greatly differs according to diamond specifics, such as carat, clarity, color, cut, and style. Some settings, like the bezel setting, require extra craftsmanship and end up being priced higher.
Also, the number of stones will impact that as well. Additionally, the metal in which you have the necklace set in has a big effect on price. Lastly, the type of chain and thickness of it will affect price.
I would say that buying diamond necklaces online is going to be around the same that you'd find in jewelry stores, only the quality is better online.
Actually, I was just looking at my own engagement ring today I bought from a retail jeweler. I started looking at Blue Nile's loose stone collection and basically created my ring to its exact specifications that its certification says.
Turns out Blue Nile was selling the same ring for at least $1500 less. I could have purchased a much better diamond for cheaper.
Red Flags When Buying Diamond Necklaces Online
1. Conflict diamonds
Conflict diamonds can be a hot topic among diamond jewelry customers. While it's not near as productive as it used to be, sometimes the concern still pops up.
Conflict diamonds, also referred to as blood diamonds, are diamonds that are mined and used to fund wars and spread terrorism.
Every retailer on this list sells conflict-free diamonds and you can view their policies on each respective website.
2. Chain
Chances are, if you're buying a diamond pendant, you're buying a chain too. Some of you may use the chain it comes with, while others may opt for a different chain. Before purchasing a diamond necklace, you should do your research on the types of necklace chains available.
Some chains are very fragile, while others catch your hair. If you are a little harder on your jewelry, you might need a thicker chain like a rope chain.
How To Get The Best Deal
If you want the best deal on diamond necklaces, make sure to do your research first. Know which chains you are wanting it and choose quality materials that are going to help you preserve your necklace.
Make sure you are storing it correctly and not with other jewelry.
Another bonus is to purchase from a company that has a lifetime warranty, like James Allen or Leibish & Co. They cover all the normal repairs that you're supposed to have done every 6 months are so. And they do it for life and for free!
How Much Do Diamond Necklaces Cost?
The best diamond chains are going to be more on the expensive end. That's because we consider solid gold ones to be the best diamond necklaces.
The different diamond necklace types will vary in price. The main factor is the base metal. If it's gold-plated with a stainless steel base, it's probably going to be pretty cheap. This goes for 14K gold, 18K gold, or 24K gold.
I don't recommend 24K gold if you really want the best diamond pendant or the best gold chains. Gold is a soft metal, so it gets damaged easily. 24K is pure gold, so it's going to be softer and easily damaged. 24K plated gold jewelry will fade quicker than the others.
However, all gold-plated diamond necklaces or chains will fade. All of these pieces are usually under $100.
The best diamond chains are solid gold because they can be repaired by a jewelry if need be. Some metals can't be cut or worked on.
The exception to this ballpark figure is vermeil chain necklaces, or gold plated sterling silver necklaces. Sterling silver is more expensive than stainless or other alternative metals. Expect these plated pieces to be $100-$250.
What Are Popular Types of Diamond Necklaces?
There are many different diamond necklace types. If you want the encyclopedia of them, check out our Guide on Most Popular Diamond Necklaces. Here's a general overview of the common types.
If we're talking different styles, you need to decide if you're wanting a diamond pendant or a diamond necklace.
You might think the two are one in the same, but there's a slight difference. A diamond pendant necklace can be removed from the chain to be switched out. Here are some popular diamond necklaces:
Diamond Solitaire Pendant Necklace
Creating a solitaire pendant necklace is easy to do from any of our retailers we've mentioned. It involves selecting the grades or your solitaire diamond and its setting. The pendant might be able to be removed, or it might be built into the chain.
Drop Pendants
Drop pendants involve different styles of necklaces. Some may be a straight bar of three diamonds or others like a Journey necklace. A drop pendant usually hangs 3+ inches lower than the chain. Blue Nile has a selection of three stone drop pendants that will go great with everything!
Y Diamond Necklace
A Y diamond necklace is a kind of drop necklace that has diamonds made into the chain. The bottom part of the Y necklace is usually a chain with a diamond at the end of it.
Diamond and Pearl Necklaces
Pearl necklaces have always been a classic staple in the jewelry lover's collection. They are often set with pearls. James Allen has some gorgeous pearl diamond necklaces including colored pearls like this one below:
And The Winner Is...
When it comes to finding the best diamond necklace, James Allen is the clear winner. Their wide selection of diamond necklaces and pendants, as well as the ability to customize your own design, ensures that you'll find the perfect piece.
With a lifetime guarantee for wear and tear repairs and a 30-day return policy, you can feel secure in your purchase.
Whether you're looking for a classic diamond halo pendant or a unique fancy yellow diamond necklace, James Allen has something for everyone. They have the best combination of value, selection, and service in the industry.
