One of the most famous diamond solitaire pendants is the Hope Diamond which weighs 45.52 carats with a colour described as “fancy dark grayish-blue”. It has a unique delayed fluorescence which can sometimes make it appear quite dim, but it produces a brilliant phosphorescent look when hit by the light. The diamond solitaire pendant which features so heavily in the movie Titanic with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet was modelled on the Hope.
The definition of “solitaire” in the Oxford English Dictionary is a single gem (as a diamond) set alone or a card game that can be played by one person. Certainly the more glamorous description is the one relating to diamonds and when purchasing a diamond solitaire pendant look for a diamond that is near-colorless (I color or better) and has no visible imperfections (SI clarity or better). Bezel settings are the most popular, hanging on a simple chain which does not draw attention from the diamond pendant. A good length for a chain is sixteen inches as this will allow the pendant to sit quite high on your throat and display it well if you are wearing an open neck blouse or V neck sweater. Ladies with a slightly thicker neck may prefer an eighteen inch chain. Also make sure that the chain is durable and has a secure fastening.
A one carat diamond is the ideal size for this type of pendant but it might not suit your budget. If you choose a smaller stone then you can always make it look larger with a gemstone surround or patterned frame.
The famous jewellery store of Tiffany’s in New York and Harry Winston (who is the jeweller in Hollywood that all the rich and famous go to) are predicting that diamond solitaire pendants are the “must haves” this season. Because they always look so elegant and can be worn for all occasions they are a piece of jewellery that every woman wants to own.
