0.68 CT Round Brilliant Diamond Couture Necklace in 14kt Yellow Gold

This diamond teardrop necklace pairs a curving, scalloped row of diamonds with a pave teardrop drop, in 14kt yellow gold. At the base of the open teardrop sits a round brilliant center diamond, and fifty-eight small diamonds outline the drop, the bail and the necklace itself. The diamonds total 0.68 carats. Everything below describes this exact piece, which you can see at our Boca Raton showroom.

The diamond teardrop necklace at a glance

Here is what this diamond teardrop necklace is made of, as recorded for this piece.

Across the front of the necklace runs a curved row of small round diamonds, each in its own prongs, which dips in a soft scallop at the center.

From the lowest point of that row hangs a small pear-shaped bail covered in pave diamonds, a round link, and then the main drop: an open teardrop frame outlined in pave diamonds, with a round brilliant diamond of about 0.15 carats set at its base.

The record lists that center diamond plus fifty-eight small round diamonds of about 0.01 carats each, all graded G color. Together the diamonds total 0.68 carats.

The necklace is 14kt yellow gold, and the pendant's diamonds sit in bright white settings, so the drop reads crisp and white against the warm gold chain.

Is the 0.68 carats one diamond?

No, and it is worth being clear. The 0.68 carats is the total weight of all the diamonds in the necklace, not the weight of a single stone.

The center diamond at the base of the teardrop is about 0.15 carats. The rest of the weight is made up of the small diamonds in the scalloped row, the bail and the teardrop frame.

That spread is what gives the necklace its character: sparkle across the whole front of the neckline, rather than a single point of light.

An open teardrop pendant

The heart of the design is the drop. It is an open teardrop pendant: a pear-shaped frame, outlined in tiny diamonds, with the center left open so light and skin show through.

At the rounded base of the frame sits the center diamond, held so it appears to float inside the outline. As the pendant moves, the diamond catches light through the open space, which makes it look brighter and larger than its weight suggests.

Above the teardrop, a small pave pear forms the bail, echoing the shape of the drop in miniature. A plain round link between the two lets the pendant swing freely.

The teardrop is one of the most flattering shapes in jewelry. Its point draws the eye down the center of the neckline and gives the whole piece a graceful, vertical line.

A pave diamond necklace

The open teardrop pendant frame and the bail are covered in pave: tiny diamonds set close together and held by small beads of metal, so the surface reads as a continuous field of sparkle.

Pave is what gives this pave diamond necklace its glitter. Each small stone catches light independently, so the drop shimmers constantly as you move, even in soft indoor light.

The small diamonds are graded G color, near-colorless, like the center. Set in white metal, they face up bright white and frame the center stone with light.

Our guide to diamond color explains the grading scale, and the Gemological Institute of America introduction covers diamond quality in more depth.

The scalloped diamond row

What sets this diamond teardrop necklace apart from a simple pendant is the diamond row across the front of the necklace. It curves gently along the neckline and then dips into a soft scallop at the center, where the pendant hangs.

A scalloped diamond necklace has a vintage elegance. The shape recalls the festoon necklaces of the early twentieth century, but here it is delicate enough for everyday wear.

The row also does practical work. Because the pendant hangs from a fixed point on the row, it stays centered at the front of the neck, instead of sliding around the chain.

And it adds sparkle to the whole neckline, so the necklace looks finished and important even from a distance.

Teardrop, solitaire or three stone?

If you are choosing a diamond necklace, the three most popular styles each give a different look.

A solitaire pendant is a single diamond on a chain: minimal, classic and focused on one stone. A three stone necklace sets a trio of diamonds in a line, often with a past, present and future meaning.

A diamond teardrop necklace like this one does something different. It uses a frame of small diamonds to create a larger, more graceful shape, so it has more presence at the neckline than a solitaire of the same budget. And with the scalloped row above it, it reads as a complete, finished piece rather than a simple pendant.

For someone who wants sparkle across the whole neckline and a shape with movement, the teardrop is the most expressive of the three.

Why the pendant is set in white

Look closely and you will see that the diamonds in the teardrop and bail sit in white settings, while the chain and the scalloped row are yellow gold.

That contrast is deliberate. White settings reflect white light back through the diamonds, so they look as bright and colorless as possible. Against the warm yellow gold of the chain, the pendant stands out clearly as the focal point.

It also makes the necklace easy to wear with both yellow and white jewelry, because it already combines both.

Why a yellow gold diamond necklace

Yellow gold gives this piece its warmth. The chain and the scalloped row glow against the skin, while the white-set diamonds in the pendant provide crisp contrast.

That mix of warm gold and white diamonds is what makes a yellow gold diamond necklace so flattering. It suits most skin tones, pairs with both yellow and white jewelry, and looks as right in the daytime as in the evening.

The necklace is made in 14kt gold, which is 58.3 percent pure gold, alloyed for strength. That strength matters in a piece with a fine chain and many small settings.

How to wear a diamond teardrop necklace

Because the scalloped row sits along the collarbone and the drop falls just below it, this necklace looks best with open necklines: V-necks, scoop necks, off-the-shoulder and strapless styles.

For evening, pair it with diamond studs or small drop earrings and let the necklace be the focus. For daytime, it adds polish to a simple white shirt or a knit.

It also layers well with a longer plain chain, though many people prefer to wear it alone, because the scalloped row already gives the neckline plenty of interest.

Pave or prong?

Small diamonds can be set in several ways. Prong setting holds each stone on tiny claws, showing as much of the diamond as possible; pave covers a whole surface with diamonds held by small beads of metal.

This necklace uses both. The scalloped row is prong-set, so each diamond reads individually along the neckline, while the teardrop and bail are pave-set, so they read as solid shapes of sparkle.

That combination is what makes a pave diamond necklace like this so lively: crisp points of light along the row, and a softer shimmer in the drop.

Layering a yellow gold diamond necklace

Because the scalloped row sits high on the neckline, this necklace works well as the top layer of a stack. Add a longer plain yellow gold chain beneath it, or a simple pendant on a longer chain, and let the teardrop remain the focus.

Keep the other layers simple so the diamonds stand out. Mixing in a white gold chain echoes the white-set pendant and ties the look together.

Worn alone, a yellow gold diamond necklace like this is elegant enough for evening and understated enough for the office.

A thoughtful gift

A diamond teardrop necklace is one of the most versatile gifts in fine jewelry. It needs no sizing, it suits almost every style, and it can be worn every day.

Diamond is the birthstone for April and the traditional gift for a 10th and a 60th wedding anniversary, so this piece can mark a birthday, an anniversary or a milestone.

The scalloped row gives the necklace a sense of occasion that makes it memorable to receive, and the open teardrop keeps it light enough to wear every day.

The chain

The scalloped row is joined at each end to a fine yellow gold link chain, which carries the necklace around to the clasp. A fine chain keeps the look delicate and lets the diamonds do the work.

Because the pendant hangs from the scalloped row rather than threading onto the chain, the drop always sits at the center of the neckline. That makes this a practical everyday necklace: there is no need to adjust it in the mirror.

If you would like a different length, ask us when you visit and we will advise on the best option for the necklines you wear most.

Occasions to wear it

A diamond teardrop necklace works for more occasions than almost any other piece. For weddings, galas and evening events, it provides real sparkle without the weight of a statement collar. For the office, it adds polish to a simple blouse or dress.

It is also a natural choice for a bride or a mother of the bride, where the teardrop shape and scalloped diamonds suit a formal neckline beautifully.

And because it is light and comfortable, it is easy to wear every day, which is where fine jewelry is enjoyed most.

What good pave looks like

Well-made pave is even. The small diamonds should be matched in size and brightness, sitting at the same height so the surface reads as smooth light rather than a patchwork.

The metal beads that hold the stones should be small and neat, so they almost disappear, and there should be no gaps or empty seats. Under a loupe, every diamond should look secure.

That quality is what makes a pave diamond necklace sparkle evenly from every angle. When you visit, we will show you the pave on this piece under magnification so you can see the workmanship for yourself.

How to judge a pave diamond necklace in person

Start at a normal distance, in a mirror. That is how other people will see the necklace, and it is the best test of sparkle.

Then look closely at the pave. The small diamonds should be evenly sized and evenly spaced, with the beads that hold them neat and even.

Next, check that the pendant hangs straight and moves freely on its link, and that the scalloped row sits smoothly along the neckline.

Finally, test the clasp. It should be easy for you to open and close on your own. If you have any difficulty with small clasps, ask us about easier alternatives; comfort matters in a necklace you want to reach for every morning.

Caring for your diamond teardrop necklace

Diamonds attract oil, and lotion, perfume and skin oils dull their sparkle. To clean the necklace, soak it briefly in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, brush gently over the pave with a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry. Our jewelry care guide has more detail.

Put the necklace on after perfume and hairspray, and take it off to sleep and swim. Store it laid flat or hung, so the fine chain does not tangle.

Have the pave and prongs checked from time to time. We offer complimentary cleaning and inspection for jewelry bought from our store.

Seeing this diamond teardrop necklace in Boca Raton

A necklace is best judged where it will be worn, at the neck, in a mirror. You are welcome to try this diamond teardrop necklace on at our Boca Raton showroom and look at the diamonds under a loupe.

We are open Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 5:30, and Saturday, 10:30 to 4:30. Directions are on our Visit Us page.

David Stern Jewelers has served Boca Raton for over 40 years. David Stern is a GIA Graduate Gemologist, so detailed questions about the diamonds can be answered on the spot.

Appraisal and insurance

This necklace includes a written jewelry appraisal by David Stern, which describes the diamonds and the gold and gives a replacement value for insurance.

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Browse all our necklaces and pendants, or see our three stone diamond necklace and tanzanite and sapphire pendant.

Questions about this diamond teardrop necklace