Diamond Education
Diamond Pendants & Necklaces
How to choose the right pendant, diamond, chain and necklace length
A diamond pendant or necklace can be an understated everyday piece, a personalised gift or a statement design.
The right choice isn't only about the diamond. Pendant size, chain strength, necklace length, setting and how the complete piece sits when worn all matter.
Pendant or Necklace: What's the Difference?
A necklace is the complete piece of jewellery worn around the neck.
A pendant is a decorative element suspended from a chain, such as a diamond, gemstone, initial or personalised design.
A solitaire diamond pendant is therefore a type of necklace, while a tennis necklace features diamonds continuously around the neck without a central hanging pendant.
Key Takeaways
Choose the Complete Piece
The diamond, setting, chain and clasp need to work together. A beautiful pendant still needs the right chain and construction to sit securely and comfortably.
Look Beyond Carat Weight
Carat measures weight, not visible size. Diamond shape, dimensions and pendant design can make two diamonds of the same carat weight look very different.
Get the Length Right
Necklace length determines where the piece sits. Consider neck circumference, body proportions, pendant size and whether you'll layer it with other jewellery.
Style
Choosing Your
Necklace Style
Solitaire Diamond Pendant
A single diamond suspended from a fine 18k gold chain.
Simple, versatile and easy to wear regularly, with the diamond remaining the main focus.
Best for: Everyday wear · Timeless gifts · Understated jewellery
Diamond Tennis Necklace
A continuous or near-continuous line of individually set diamonds.
The overall appearance depends on total carat weight, individual diamond size, matching and how consistently the diamonds sit around the neck.
Best for: Greater diamond presence · Layering · Statement jewellery
Diamond Choker
Diamonds cover the visible upper portion of the ring with plain metal underneath.
Correct sizing becomes particularly important because it should sit closely without feeling restrictive or moving excessively.
Personalised Necklaces
Fergus James creates English and Arabic letter pendants, English and Arabic name necklaces and constellation designs.
Lettering, diamonds, chain length and gold colour can be personalised around the wearer.
Fashion & Gemstone Pendants
Diamonds, coloured gemstones, symbols and decorative designs can be used to create something more individual.
Fergus James also creates gold and Cuban-link chains in different lengths, widths and weights.
Shape
Choosing Your
Diamond Shape
Diamond pendants can be created in almost any shape.
Round
The classic choice, combining a symmetrical outline with strong brilliant-style sparkle.
Oval, Pear & Marquise
Elongated shapes can provide greater visible spread for their carat weight and create a longer appearance when suspended vertically.
Emerald & Asscher
Step-cut facets create broader flashes of light and clean geometry. Their open faceting can also make inclusions easier to see, so we'd generally pay more attention to clarity.
Radiant, Princess & Cushion
Square or rectangular silhouettes with greater brilliant-style sparkle.
Heart
A distinctive and romantic option, particularly for sentimental gifts.
Fergus James Expert Insight
We wouldn't choose shape purely according to which appears largest.
How the shape works with the pendant design, setting and wearer's style matters more than maximising millimetres alone.
What Diamond Size Should You Choose?
There's no universally ideal size.
A smaller diamond on a fine chain creates a delicate appearance, while a larger diamond becomes much more of a focal point.
We'd consider:
Visible dimensions · Shape · Chain thickness · Setting · Wearer's proportions · Intended use · Budget
Most importantly, carat measures weight rather than visible size.
Two 1ct diamonds, for example, can have noticeably different face-up dimensions depending on their shape and proportions.
From Our Experience…
We'd look at individual diamond size and dimensions alongside total carat weight.
Particularly with Oval, Pear and Marquise diamonds, this gives you a much better understanding of how substantial the pendant will actually look.
Diamond Specifications
Natural or
Lab-Grown Diamonds?
Fergus James offers both without preference towards either.
Natural
Natural diamonds are valued for their natural origin and rarity.
For natural diamond pendants, we'd typically consider:
G–H Colour · VS to carefully selected SI Clarity+
Lab-Grown
Lab-grown diamonds have the same fundamental crystal structure and physical properties as natural diamonds but differ in their origin, relative rarity and price.
We'd typically consider:
E–F Colour · VS Clarity+
Their lower price can allow you to choose a larger diamond or higher specifications within the same budget.
How Important Are the 4Cs?
The 4Cs - cut, colour, clarity and carat - all matter, but we'd prioritise the characteristics that create a meaningful visible difference.
For Round Brilliant diamonds, Fergus James prioritises Excellent or Ideal cut quality.
Fancy shapes are assessed individually because their proportions and visual performance aren't fully represented by a single overall cut grade.
Step cuts such as Emerald and Asscher also deserve greater attention to clarity because their open facets can make inclusions easier to see.
Fergus James Expert Insight
We wouldn't recommend paying for an extremely high colour or clarity grade simply because it looks better on the certificate.
The goal is a diamond that looks exceptional in the finished pendant.
Diamond Certification
Natural diamonds weighing 0.30ct+ in Fergus James jewellery normally include a GIA grading report.
Lab-grown diamonds weighing 0.30ct+ normally include an IGI grading report.
Individual reports aren't normally provided for every smaller diamond in tennis necklaces, pavé designs or other pieces containing numerous stones.
In those designs, diamond selection and matching become particularly important.
A jewellery report for the completed piece can also be arranged on request.
Gemstones
Choosing a
Coloured Gemstone
A pendant can feature a coloured gemstone instead of a colourless diamond or combine the two.
Fergus James options include:
Emerald · Ruby · Blue Sapphire · Aquamarine · Black Diamond · Yellow Diamond · Birthstones
Birthstones can add personal meaning, while emeralds, rubies and sapphires create stronger colour.
When multiple diamonds or gemstones appear in the same piece, we consider their size, colour, dimensions and overall appearance together so the finished design looks balanced.
Setting
Choosing
Your Setting
Prong
Prongs secure the diamond while leaving much of it visible, creating the classic appearance associated with solitaire pendants.
Bezel
A fine metal border surrounds the diamond, creating a clean contemporary appearance while providing additional protection around its edge.
Halo
Smaller diamonds surround the centre stone, increasing the pendant's overall visible size and adding additional sparkle.
Pavé
Small diamonds can be incorporated into the pendant, bail or surrounding design for additional detail.
From Our Experience…
The setting should suit the diamond's shape, size and intended use, rather than being chosen simply according to the number of prongs or how little metal is visible.
Fergus James doesn't normally offer cluster pendants containing numerous very small settings where we believe the design creates an unnecessary risk of stone loss. Where appropriate, we'll recommend a more secure way of achieving a similar look.
Choosing the Right Chain
The chain should complement the pendant visually, but it also needs to be strong enough to support it securely.
A small solitaire generally works naturally with a finer chain. A larger or heavier pendant requires greater strength.
We consider:
Pendant weight · Diamond size · Chain thickness · Link style · Length · Clasp security · Frequency of wear
Fergus James Expert Insight
We won't use a finer chain simply because it looks more delicate if we don't believe it's strong enough for the pendant.
The pendant, chain and clasp need to function as one piece.
Chain
What Necklace Length
Should You Choose?
Necklace length determines where the pendant sits and can significantly change how the finished piece looks.
Length
Typical Position
16" / 40cm
Higher on the neck
17" / 43cm
Around the upper chest/collarbone
18" / 46cm
Classic pendant length, slightly lower
20" / 51cm
Lower on the chest
22–24" / 56–61cm
Longer necklace styling
These positions are approximate.
Neck circumference, height, body proportions and pendant size all affect where the necklace actually sits.
The standard Fergus James pendant chain and tennis necklace is approximately 17" / 43cm, while our diamond chokers are normally around 16" / 40cm.
Pendant chains can also incorporate adjustable loops for more than one wearing length.
From Our Experience…
If you're buying a necklace as a gift, measure a necklace the recipient already wears regularly.
It gives us a much more useful starting point than trying to estimate their ideal length from height alone.
Aftercare
Why Does a
Pendant Flip?
Some pendants naturally move or occasionally turn while being worn.
This can be influenced by:
Pendant shape · Weight distribution · Chain attachment · Setting · Necklace length · Wearer's movement
Occasional movement doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong with the jewellery.
This can be influenced by:
Pendant shape · Weight distribution · Chain attachment · Setting · Necklace length · Wearer's movement
Occasional movement doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong with the jewellery.
Pendant chains can also incorporate adjustable loops for more than one wearing length.
Fergus James Expert Insight
If keeping a pendant facing forwards is particularly important, we'd consider balance and chain attachment during the design stage, rather than trying to solve the problem after the piece has been made.
The way a pendant is engineered can be just as important as how it looks from the front.
Clasps & Security
Fergus James diamond pendants normally use a lobster clasp for secure everyday fastening.
Tennis necklaces and diamond chokers use a main clasp supported by two additional safety latches.
If a clasp ever feels loose or doesn't close correctly, stop wearing the necklace and have it inspected.
Can a Pendant Be Moved to Another Chain?
Yes, depending on the design.
Fergus James pendants normally come complete with their chain, but we can create a detachable pendant hook allowing the pendant to be clipped onto another suitable chain.
The alternative chain must have the appropriate strength, thickness and fittings to support the pendant securely.
Our team can inspect an existing chain before advising whether it's suitable
Aftercare
Ready-to-Order
or Bespoke?
Fergus James offers diamond pendants, tennis necklaces, personalised jewellery and gemstone designs, with selected bestselling pieces kept in stock at our Dubai showroom.
For something more individual, we can customise:
Diamond or gemstone · Shape · Size · Setting · Gold colour · Chain · Length · Personalisation · Overall design
Most custom pendants and necklaces take approximately 7–14 days to produce, depending on complexity and time of year.
Orders can often be fast-tracked for important dates.
How to Choose the Right Pendant or Necklace
When comparing your options, we'd focus on:
- Necklace or pendant style
- Diamond or gemstone
- Diamond shape and visible size
- Natural or lab-grown
- Setting
- Chain strength
- Necklace length
- Balance and comfort
- Clasp security
- Warranty and aftercare
Fergus James Expert Insight
A pendant shouldn't be considered as a diamond with a chain added afterwards.
The diamond, setting, chain, length and clasp should be designed to work together so the finished necklace looks balanced, sits properly and can be worn securely.
Frequently Asked Questions
A necklace is the complete piece worn around the neck. A pendant is a decorative element suspended from a chain, such as a diamond, gemstone, initial or personalised design.
A solitaire diamond pendant is a type of necklace. A tennis necklace has diamonds continuously around the neck without a central hanging pendant.
There's no universally ideal size. A smaller diamond on a fine chain looks delicate, while a larger diamond becomes more of a focal point.
Carat measures weight rather than visible size, so shape and face-up dimensions matter as well.
The standard Fergus James pendant chain and tennis necklace is approximately 17" / 43cm. Diamond chokers are normally around 16" / 40cm.
Neck circumference, proportions and pendant size all change where it sits. If you're buying a gift, measure a necklace the recipient already wears.
Some pendants naturally move or turn. Shape, weight distribution, chain attachment, setting, length and the wearer's movement can all influence it.
Occasional movement doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong. If facing forwards matters, balance and chain attachment should be considered while the piece is being designed.
Yes, depending on the design. Pendants normally come with their chain, and a detachable pendant hook can let the pendant clip onto another suitable chain.
That chain needs the right strength, thickness and fittings. Our team can inspect an existing chain before advising whether it's suitable.
Yes. Diamond or gemstone, shape, size, setting, gold colour, chain, length, personalisation and overall design can all be customised.
Most custom pendants and necklaces take approximately 7–14 days, depending on complexity and time of year.