TABLE OF CONTENT
Brief History of Diamond Pendants
Diamonds are 99% carbon, which is the main element of all life. A natural diamond emerges from inside the earth after centuries under high temperatures and high pressure. The legends of several world-famous diamonds add to the charisma of the natural diamond. Diamonds exhibited in museums all around the world were once the possessions of Sultans and kings.
Diamonds were once believed to hold therapeutic value, but by the Middle Ages, diamonds were valued as beautiful items. Since then, diamond pendants have been prized as a reflection of the recipient’s grace, style, and uniqueness, not as items with mystical healing powers. The choices of design, cut, and shape means you can easily find a pendant that suits you perfectly.
Necklaces originated almost 40,000 years ago during the Stone Age. Necklaces come in a variety of designs and are made from precious gemstones that are attached to one another, creating a chain. Necklaces are also manufactured from solid metals, such as gold, worked into unique patterns.
Pendants, on the other hand, are lovely lockets that display shimmering crystals, colored gems, or valuable diamonds. Since they have been popular gifts and accessory items for centuries, jewelers create numerous designs and patterns for creative, beautiful pendants.
However, these days the words necklace and pendant have lost some of their original meaning. Many people use them interchangeably. Although still technically incorrect, describing a single diamond as a necklace is common. Jewelers and others in the jewelry trade may continue to make a distinction between the two, but few others do anymore.
Diamond pendants or necklaces are also valuable gifts, with solitaire pendants being the most prized. This style of pendant has one diamond hanging from a chain, but there are still vast possibilities for different designs and sizes. Pendants and necklaces are often worn as sentimental objects. They are great for holding onto memories, much like a photograph or strand of hair.
Cremation diamond pendants and memorial necklaces are other ways of using pendants to establish a lasting bond with our loved ones who have passed away. They allow people to feel attached to them wherever they go.
Natural Diamonds vs. Cremation Diamonds Pendants
Natural diamonds are stones created through geologic processes. Their unique features make some of them remarkably valuable. Natural diamonds are nature’s miracle and require millions of years to take their shape. Exceptionally beautiful and bright diamonds make their way into the jewelry industry. In comparison with natural diamonds, memorial diamonds are jewelry-level, lab-grown diamonds made from the hair or cremated ashes of humans.
They can also be formed using the fur, hair, feather, or cremated remains of your beloved pet animals. While the most prized natural diamonds are colorless, LONITÉ™’s cremation diamonds possess vivid colors such as blue, yellow, green, and red formed by different growth conditions.
Losing a loved one is distressing enough and just scattering their ashes can cause further devastation. You may never want to bury your loved ones, and instead choose to hold on to them in one way or another. A cremation diamond allows this, and in one sense is like being with your loved one forever. A LONITÉ™ cremation diamond is a real diamond that has the same physical, chemical, and optical qualities as a natural diamond, but is formed from the carbon in the cremated remains or hair of your loved one.
A cremation diamond mounted in a pendant is sometimes referred to as a cremation jewelry pendant, or more simply as a memorial necklace. Creating a diamond from cremated remains is an elegant way of preserving your bond with your deceased loved one, and is very different from creating a necklace for ashes.
Cremation Diamonds Pendants vs. Pendants for Ashes
A cremation diamond necklace is not a necklace for ashes. Cremation necklaces sometimes refer to jewelry crafted to hold cremated remains. Jewelers make a memorial necklace by crafting a design that has baubles and shapes that have ashes in them. This type of ashes necklace is very different from a memorial necklace that has diamonds made from the cremation ashes of a loved one.
Growing a cremation diamond and incorporating it into a memorial necklace gives a new meaning to a pendant for ashes. Cremation necklaces that hold a cremation diamond are not a necklace for ashes, but instead are a unique and beautiful way to maintain your connection to a deceased loved one.
Designs of Diamond Pendants
Historically, pendants have not been restricted to female jewelry. Men have worn diamond pendants as religious and emotional symbols, with a diamond solitaire pendant being the most impressive and striking style of diamond pendant. A diamond solitaire pendant can be showy and worn for formal occasions or simply for everyday wear.
Solitaire Diamond Pendants
Solitaire diamond pendants can match every outfit and are ideal for any occasion. People all over the world love solitaire pendants for their beauty and simplicity. They are worn by both women and men and will never go out of fashion. These pendants comprise a single diamond hanging from a chain, but that does not limit its design. Thanks to its simplicity and versatility, LONITÉ™ recommends solitaire diamond pendants as the first choice for your memorial necklace design. These designs offer three basic settings:
1. Prong Setting - This setting allows maximum light to enter the diamond. It can be made from 3 or more prongs, with fewer prongs allowing more light penetration. This memorial necklace setting needs to be inspected regularly because prongs can be worn out and the loss of a cremation diamond is a terrible loss.
2. Bezel Setting - A bezel setting is an arc of metal that secures the main stone. This type of setting makes both a safer frame and makes the diamond look bigger. The bezel setting can partially or fully encircle a diamond. A cremation jewelry pendant with a bezel setting has a stunning design that provides safety and elegance.
3. Tension Setting - This is a contemporary choice used to create an utterly original pendant for ashes that prominently displays the cremation diamond. This type of memorial necklace is extremely popular because it strikes the balance between making the cremation diamond visible and keeping it secure.
Sliding Bale Design
Many solitaire diamond pendants have a sliding bale design. Small differences in the design can make a large impact on the final appearance, creating a highly personalized memorial necklace. This accounts for the popularity of this style of memorial necklace.
Diamond Cluster Pendants
Diamond clusters are collections of smaller stones that can be arranged around a cremation diamond in a cremation necklace. Cluster styles look like the pear, round or oval shapes of diamond solitaires. They are available in fantastic geometrical shapes, such as stars, flowers and snowflakes. A necklace for ashes crafted with a cremation diamond can use different style variations. Most cluster pendants integrate pronged styles, while others use groupings of bezel or channel-set stones for a stunning look.
Three-Diamond Pendants
The three diamonds generally form a vertical line, but they can also be grouped together into horizon rows of gems. Stylish variations use chic channel settings or attractive metalwork to balance the trio of diamonds. These designs may feature a curving row of diamonds in graduated sizes to depict the path life takes. This lends itself to an ashes necklace that tells the life story of the loved one remembered in the cremation diamond.
Religious
Religious jewelry has been popular for centuries. Diamond religious pendants have played an instrumental role in displaying an individual’s beliefs. Memorial necklace designs that have a spiritual meaning make a powerful testimony of the beliefs of the loved one. An ashes necklace incorporating a religious symbol incorporates the spiritual aspects of the deceased.
Keys
Skeleton keys are incredibly fashionable. It normally symbolizes "access to" something. Key pendants covered in diamonds are contemporary pieces of jewelry that are popular among people of all ages. A memorial necklace featuring multiple mini keys reflecting the life journey of the loved one is a popular cremation necklace choice.
Hearts, Flowers, Stars, and Other Themes
Heart jewelry celebrates any occasion by expressing love. A necklace for ashes incorporating a cremation diamond featuring hearts, stars, and flowers celebrates the love felt for the deceased. These designs are timeless and ideal choices for the everyday go-to pieces, so it is an excellent choice for a memorial necklace.
How to Personalize Your Cremation Diamond Pendants
Cremation diamond pendants are becoming popular for holding on to loved ones forever. As more than a simple ashes necklace, they can be beautifully engraved with a personal message that adds to the memorial diamond necklace's unique, special charm.
Consider having your stunning memorial diamond pendant engraved with a name, quote, or personal thought. This can be done on a little heart-shaped or oval decoration located at the end of the clasp. A laser inscription on the griddle of the diamond is also a popular way to attach your sentiments to a memorial diamond mounted in a cremation jewelry pendant.
Personalized memorial diamond pendants are treasures you can carry with you for the rest of your life.
Metal chains grace the beauty of pendants. Finding a memorial necklace is usually not just about creating the cremation diamond or the overall appearance, you should also consider what is the right type of metal chains for you.
Rolo Chain
A rolo chain, is also known as a belcher chain, has round links that are connected together. This type of chain can come in different sizes and widths to fit anyone's preference. Rolo chains are durable and come in different designs and sizes.
Rope Chain
A rope chain has oval links that are connected, in a spiral effect for producing a woven rope-like appearance. Men often wear rope chain because it is one of the most durable kinds of chains ideal for everyday wear.
Cable Chain
Also called the link chain, a cable chain is made up of oval or round links of the same size. A stylish and popular choice for a simple necklace with a charm or pendant, it is one of the most common types of jewelry chains available in the market.
Venetian Link Chain
A Venetian link chain is inspired by ancient Roman arches. It is much similar to a box chain, which also comprises square links flattened together. A lot of men choices this type of chain as it can be a perfect option for everyday wear.
Wheat Chain
Also know as spiga chain, a wheat chain is similar to a rope chain. However, it is generally created with four strands of twisted and oval links, which are woven and braided together. This chain is visually appealing and is popular for its beauty.
How to Choose the Right Length
Choker
This vintage and versatile choker are 14 to 16 inches long. It is a popular jewelry item for casual to formal evening wear as it complements any neckline. A cremation necklace in a choker offers the perfect length that allows the memorial necklace to be worn frequently.
Princess Necklace
The most common length for almost all necklaces is 16 to 22 inches and is known as princess necklaces. They go well with high and crew necklines. Pendants for ashes in this length are also a very popular choice.
Opera Necklace
Offering several options, the opera-length necklace spans 26 to 36 inches and can be worn as a single strand with high necklaces. It is also doubled for creating a chic two-strand choker. When knotted at the neckline or above, it creates a classic vintage look that has now become a contemporary trend.
Matinee Necklace
A matinee necklace is 20 to 24 inches long and is about twice the length of a choker.
Rope Necklace
A rope is 37 inches or longer. This lavish length is both stylish and elegant and is made with several clasps. This enables cremation jewelry pendants to be broken down into different combinations. You can double or even triple the necklace for creating the impression of a stunning multi-strand choker.
Diamond Pendant Care
Even though jewelry is designed for everyday wear, it can eventually wear out and lose its original luster. It is important you take care of your jewelry, and even more so if it is a memorial necklace that contains the memorial diamond of your loved one. LONITÉ™ proposes the following ways to protect your diamond jewelry.
Avoid wearing the cremation necklace during intense physical activities, such as an exercise workout.
Avoid exposure to harsh chemicals used in household cleaning products. Hair care products can also taint your cremation jewelry pendant if they contain strong substances.
Remove all memorial jewelry and pendants when swimming. The chlorine in the water degrades alloys.
You should use suitable jewelry storage boxes for keeping your diamond jewelry safe. A diamond scratches almost anything (including other diamonds), so store the memorial diamond separately in a softbox after wrapping it in a soft cloth.
World-Famous Diamond Pendants and Necklaces
The Patiala Necklace
The Patiala necklace attained massive popularity after Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh, ordered it. The House of Cartier meticulously created the necklace in 1928. It was a stunning set of five rows of diamond-encrusted platinum chains and consisted of 2,930 diamonds weighing approximately 962.25 carats.
In the center, a cascade of seven large diamonds surmounted a pendant where the iconic De Beers was placed. The massive rock was a tobacco-colored diamond that weighed 18 carats and contained two rubies of 29.58 carats.
The $25 million necklace mysteriously disappeared from the royal treasury of Patiala during the 1940s. The son of the Maharaja, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, was the last King to wear it. In 1998, a Cartier representative, Eric Nassbaum, stumbled upon the remnants of the necklace in an antique shop in London. All the huge stones including the De Beers and the surrounding diamonds were gone.
Incomparable Yellow Diamond Necklace
Mouawad created this diamond necklace in 2013. The Guinness Book of World Records has named the masterpiece as the world’s most expensive necklace. Its estimated worth is $55 million. The step‐cut diamond is the largest flawless diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America. The necklace is set with over 50 different diamonds, ranging from pear-shaped to Asscher-cut.
Heart of the Ocean Diamond Necklace
In 1997, many of us saw Kate Winslet wearing a replica of this masterpiece in the movie Titanic. However, Harry Winston created the original. The original heart of the ocean diamond necklace showcases a stunning 15-carat blue diamond, the real reason behind the necklace’s exuberant price tag. By the way, the replica worn in the movie is worth only $10,000.
Briolette Diamond Necklace
Originally priced at $8.5 million to $12.5 million, this pendant necklace consists of a 75.36 ct. internally flawless briolette Type IIa diamond. William Goldberg is the master craftsman behind the artistry of the necklace and took 6 months to cut the 160.5-carat diamond. He shaped it into the world’s largest and most perfect Briolette with a dazzling tear-drop shape cut.