9ct Yellow Gold 1ct Lab-Grown Diamond Oval Bezel-Set Pendant

A pendant is a single set stone with a bail, and the relationship between the two is the whole design: the bail has to carry the weight, sit square, and take a chain of the right gauge without dominating the stone.

This one is 9ct yellow gold, carrying 1 ct of lab-grown diamonds in total, cut oval. As a shape, an oval spreads its weight along the finger or the wrist, so it reads larger than a round stone of the same carat.

Will this suit me?

• Chain: Sold on its own; chain not included. A fine chain suits a 1 ct pendant: in 9ct yellow gold, try our 1.3 mm cable chain in 45 cm and 50 cm.
• Size: A 1 ct oval typically measures about 7.5 × 5.5 mm; the bezel adds a thin rim of gold around it (for scale, an Australian 5c coin is 19.4 mm across).
• Where it sits: On a 45 cm chain it sits on the collarbone; on 50 cm, just below it and clear of a crew neckline.
• Everyday wear: The smooth bezel collar has nothing to catch on clothing, which makes this an easy everyday pendant. 9ct is the harder alloy and stands up well to daily wear.
• Other options: Metals: 18ct white gold, 18ct yellow gold, 9ct white gold. Shapes: emerald cut, pear, round brilliant.

A bezel setting wraps a continuous collar of gold around the girdle of the stone. It is the most protective setting there is: nothing catches, nothing snags, and the stone cannot be knocked loose from the side. The trade-off is that the collar covers a little of the stone's edge, so a bezel-set stone reads marginally smaller than a claw-set one of the same weight.

Check the bail opening against the chain you intend to use. A bail that is too tight will not pass a heavier chain; one that is too loose lets the pendant swing off-centre.

Specification

• Metal: 9ct yellow gold (375)
• Total stone weight: 1 ct
• Stone: Lab-grown diamond
• Cut: Oval
• Setting: Bezel-set
• Type: Pendant
• Sold as: Single piece

9ct yellow gold is 375 parts per thousand fine gold. The higher alloy content makes it hard and more scratch-resistant than 18ct, which is why it's always been the popular choice for everyday wear.

Care. Chain sold separately unless stated.