3.00 CT Square Princess Diamond Necklace in 18kt White Gold

This princess cut diamond necklace is a one-of-a-kind piece in 18kt white gold: twenty-five princess cut diamonds set edge to edge in a five-by-five grid, framed in polished white gold and turned on point so the pendant reads as a diamond shape. Together the stones weigh 3.00 carats. It hangs on a white gold wheat chain, and what follows describes the exact piece you will see in our Boca Raton showroom.

Twenty-five princess cut diamonds, 3.00 carats

The pendant holds twenty-five princess cut diamonds of about 0.12 carats each, for a total of 3.00 carats. That is where the 3.00 CT in the name comes from: it is the combined weight of all twenty-five stones, not a single diamond, and we would rather be precise about that than let the number mislead.

The princess cut is a square modified brilliant. The International Gem Society describes it as one of the most popular fancy shapes, with a faceting pattern that gives strong sparkle in a crisp, square outline. Because the stones are square, they can be placed side by side with almost no gap, which is what makes a grid like this possible.

The diamonds are recorded as I color, which sits in the near-colorless range. In a white gold setting, and with twenty-five stones reflecting light into each other, I color faces up bright and white to the eye. It is a sensible grade for a pendant where the impression comes from the whole surface rather than from one stone.

The Gemological Institute of America places diamond at 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, the hardest natural material. A 3 carat diamond necklace built from small stones is exceptionally practical: nothing in it is soft, and nothing projects far enough to catch.

An invisible set diamond pendant

What makes this an invisible set diamond pendant is how the stones are held. Instead of prongs over each diamond, the stones sit edge to edge in a hidden framework beneath the surface, so from the front you see only diamond, with no metal between the stones.

That is what gives the pendant its look of one continuous square of light. With no prongs breaking up the surface, the twenty-five princess cut diamonds read together as a single sparkling panel rather than as a group of separate stones.

Invisible setting is demanding work. Every stone has to be cut and fitted precisely so the rows line up and the surface stays flat. When it is done well, as here, the grid looks almost like a single large diamond divided into facets.

The frame around the grid is a band of polished 18kt white gold. It gives the diamond panel a clean, architectural edge and protects the outer row of stones, which is the side most exposed to knocks.

A square diamond pendant turned on point

The square is set on point, with one corner at the top and one at the bottom. That small change turns a square diamond pendant into a diamond shape at the neckline, which feels more dynamic and draws the eye downward in the same way a V-neck does.

This princess cut diamond necklace is bold without being oversized. It sits at the base of the throat as a clear focal point, and because its surface is flat it lies close against the skin rather than swinging.

On point, the grid's rows run diagonally, so light moving across the pendant crosses several rows of stones at once. The result is a shimmer that moves across the whole surface as you turn your head.

Why 18kt white gold suits a princess cut diamond necklace

The pendant is made in 18kt white gold, which is 75 percent pure gold alloyed with white metals. 18kt is a premium choice for diamond jewelry: it has a rich weight in the hand and takes a very fine polish, which shows in the smooth frame around the grid.

White gold keeps the diamonds looking white and bright, and it matches the cool tone of the stones so the frame reads as part of the design rather than as a border. Like most white gold it is finished with rhodium plating, which can be refreshed at the bench whenever it wears.

The chain is a white gold wheat chain, made of interlocking links that form a supple, braided rope. Wheat chains are strong for their size and lie smoothly, which suits a pendant with this much presence.

How this 3 carat diamond necklace wears

A 3 carat diamond necklace in a compact square is one of the most versatile pieces you can own. It is bright enough for evening wear and simple enough in outline to wear every day with a white shirt or a sweater.

Because diamonds go with everything, this princess cut diamond necklace pairs with any color of clothing and any other jewelry you wear, including yellow and rose gold. It is the kind of piece that becomes a signature.

We will fit it on you in the showroom so you can see exactly where the pendant sits. If you are unsure about chain length, ask us to measure it with you; a small change moves the pendant from the collarbone to just above a neckline.

An April birthstone necklace

Diamond is the birthstone for April, and GIA's guide to the April birthstone covers its long history as a symbol of strength and lasting love. For an April birthday, this is an April birthstone necklace with real presence rather than a single small stone on a chain.

Diamonds are also the traditional gift for the sixtieth wedding anniversary and are widely given for the tenth. A 3.00 carat square of diamonds is a meaningful way to mark either.

Because a diamond pendant never goes out of style, an April birthstone necklace like this is worn for decades and then passed down.

Princess cut compared with round diamonds

A round brilliant is the most popular diamond shape, and it is designed to maximize sparkle in a single stone. A princess cut gives similar brilliance in a square outline, and its main advantage appears when stones are set together: squares fit edge to edge, rounds leave gaps.

That is why invisible setting is almost always done with princess cut diamonds. A grid of rounds would show metal between every stone. A grid of princess cut diamonds shows only diamond.

Princess cuts also make efficient use of the rough crystal, so they often cost less per carat than rounds of similar quality. In a square diamond pendant like this one, that efficiency goes into the number of stones rather than into waste.

How to judge a princess cut diamond necklace in person

Start with the surface. On an invisible set diamond pendant, the rows should be straight, the stones level with each other and the surface flat. Tilt the pendant slowly and look for any stone that sits higher, lower or at an angle.

Next, look at the color across the grid. All twenty-five stones should match, with none noticeably warmer or darker than its neighbors. Even color is the sign of careful stone selection.

Then look at the corners. Princess cuts have pointed corners that need protection, and in this design the frame and the grid do that job. The corners of the outer stones should be intact and snug against the frame.

Finally, look at the back. A well-made piece is finished as carefully behind as in front, and the underside of an invisible setting shows the framework that holds every stone.

What sets this square diamond pendant apart

Most diamond pendants use a single stone or a cluster held in prongs. This square diamond pendant uses twenty-five stones fitted edge to edge into one flat surface, which is a far more exacting way to build a piece.

It also gives you more diamond for the size. Three carats spread across a square panel reads much larger on the neck than a single 3 carat stone would, while costing far less.

And because it is a single piece, you will not see it on anyone else. This is the only one in our case.

Reading the grades on a multi-stone diamond pendant

Diamond grading was designed for single stones, and it helps to know how it applies to a piece with twenty-five. On a multi-stone princess cut diamond necklace, the grades describe the stones as a matched set: a color range, a clarity range and a total carat weight, rather than a certificate for each diamond.

That is normal and sensible. Individual grading reports on 0.12 carat stones would cost more than the stones themselves, and what matters in a grid is that the diamonds match each other. A set recorded at I color, well matched across the grid, looks uniform and bright.

Carat weight works the same way. A 3 carat diamond necklace made of many small stones is priced very differently from a single 3 carat diamond, because large diamonds are exponentially rarer. The total tells you how much diamond is in the piece; the number of stones tells you how it is distributed.

If you would like to go deeper, our guide to the diamond 4Cs explains color, clarity, cut and carat in plain language, and we are happy to walk through the grades on this square diamond pendant with you in person.

Choosing a diamond necklace as a gift

A princess cut diamond necklace is one of the safest fine jewelry gifts there is. It does not depend on a ring size, it goes with every wardrobe, and diamonds suit everyone. The only real question is whether the person prefers white metal, and what length of chain they usually wear.

If it is an April birthday or a major anniversary, the stones carry their own meaning as well. If not, a 3 carat diamond necklace needs no occasion to justify it.

We are glad to help you decide. Bring a photo of what they usually wear, and we will tell you honestly whether this piece suits them or whether something else from the case would be the better choice.

Caring for an invisible set diamond pendant

Clean your invisible set diamond pendant with warm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft brush, working gently across the surface and around the frame. Rinse and dry with a lint-free cloth. Our jewelry care guide goes through the process step by step.

Invisible settings deserve a little care. Avoid hard knocks against stone countertops, and do not pry at the surface. If a stone ever looks loose or out of line, stop wearing the piece and bring it straight in.

Store the necklace on its own in a lined box or pouch. Diamonds can scratch other jewelry and even other diamonds, so keeping it apart protects everything else you own.

Bring it in once a year and we will clean it professionally and check the setting at no charge. On an invisible setting, an annual check is the best protection you can give it.

Appraisal, documentation and what you receive

Every diamond necklace at this level leaves with a written appraisal describing the metal, the stones, the measurements and a stated replacement value for insurance. That document is what your insurer will ask for, and it is worth updating every few years as gold and diamond prices move. Our jewelry appraisals page explains how we do it.

You can see our full range of necklaces alongside this one, and our diamond education pages set out how grading actually works. If you would like a piece altered, or something built around a stone you already own, we do that too through our design service.

See this princess cut diamond necklace in Boca Raton

Photographs of diamonds are unreliable. Screens flatten sparkle, and the way an invisible set surface shimmers as it moves cannot be captured in a still image. A piece like this is worth seeing in person, which is why we would rather you came in and tried it on than bought it sight unseen.

David Stern Jewelers has been in business for over 40 years, family owned since 1970, and the showroom is at 21073 Powerline Rd #37, Boca Raton. We are open Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday from 10:30am to 4:30pm. Call 561-994-3330 and we will have the piece waiting, or book an appointment for a quieter time.

If this particular piece is not quite right, tell us why. A round pendant instead of square, yellow gold instead of white: with a piece like this the specification is a starting point, and we would rather find you the right thing than sell you the nearest thing.

Common questions about this princess cut diamond necklace

One last practical note. Because this is a single piece rather than stock, it can sell on any given day, and we do not hold items without a deposit. If you have seen this princess cut diamond necklace here and intend to come in, a phone call first will confirm it is still in the case and save you the trip if it is not.