Month: January 2022

Tennis chains are diamond necklaces with a continuous arrangement of diamonds set along a chain of Gold or Platinum.

Where does the name ‘Tennis’ chain come from?

The name originates from the diamond tennis bracelet, named after the world-famous tennis player Chris Evert. At the 1987 US Open, Chris Evert lost her diamond bracelet during the middle of a match.

After pausing the match, she searched for this missing bracelet under the public eye. From that day, the classic diamond line bracelet became known as the ‘Tennis’ bracelet. Today, we use this term and apply it to diamond line bracelets and diamond tennis necklaces.

Precious metals.

Jewellers make diamond tennis chains in a variety of precious metals. For example, platinum, 18-carat gold, 14-carat gold, 9-carat gold and occasionally silver. Many jewellers favour 18-carat gold. However, this denser, more luxurious choice carries a much higher price tag.

Necklace styles.

Tennis chains vary in many ways. Firstly by style. Classic styles feature diamonds in claw settings arranged in a row.

In fact, they look almost identical to shorter bracelet designs. Conversely, most feature a graduation of diamond sizes.

The following video shows a great example, designed with a graduation in diamond sizes.

Diamond sizes and budgets.

Because of differing budgets, many jewellers offer a choice of carat weights. For example, some jewellers create chains in a choice of diamond weights.

Based on a traditional, claw-set graduation in 18ct Gold, set with natural diamonds.

For example, these might appear as follows:

8 carats. 123 diamonds, graduating from 4.7mm to 2mm in size. (Starting price £15,000)

10 carats. 115 diamonds, graduating from 4.7mm to 2.2mm in size. (Starting price £20,000)

13 carats. 101 diamonds, graduating from 5.5mm to 2.3mm size. (Starting price £25,000)

16 carats. 99 diamonds, graduating from 5.5mm to 2.5mm size. (Starting at £34,000)

20 carats. 91 diamonds, graduating from 5.6mm to 3.0mm size. (Starting at £40,000)

24 carats. 89 diamonds, graduating from 5.6mm to 3.2mm size. (Starting at £57,000)

30 carats. 81 diamonds, graduating from 6.5mm to 3.7mm size. (Starting at £70,000)

40 carats. 69 diamonds, graduating from 6.7mm to 3.7mm size. (Starting at £120,000)

Lab-grown diamond tennis chains

Alternatively, the above prices reduce significantly by use of lab-grown diamonds instead of natural diamonds.

Lab-grown diamonds offer consumers a true-diamond alternative to natural diamonds. Furthermore, they provide a much lower price tag somewhere between 50%-60% less than natural diamonds.

At the same time, lab-created diamonds can offer ethical diamond alternative.

Setting styles for necklaces

Next, settings for tennis chains may vary in a similar way to simple engagement ring settings. For instance, claw set, or rub-over bezel set.

At the same time, diamonds might be equally sized. Or, sizes might graduate from small to larger in the middle.

Other designs offer a more styled appearance. For example, the necklace might feature a specific shape.

To illustrate this, the following design leads the eye to the largest diamond positioned along the centreline.

Example guide price £5000 (1.75-carats 18ct White Gold).

In contrast, our next example provides a uniform appearance. Each link is identical with matching diamond sizes spaced by sections of the chain.

The only difference arises from the same design available in a choice of carat weights. For example, 1-carat, 1.25 carats, 1.5-carats and 2-carats.

Example 1-carat in 18ct White Gold. £3300.

Finally, some diamond tennis chains double-up with multiple diamond rows. The following example narrows to a single row at the back of the neck.

Example. 5-carats in 18ct White Gold. £12,000.

Men’s tennis chains

With the rise of the Hip-Hop fashion and diamond ‘bling’ diamond chains often appear around the neck of rap stars and musicians.

Richard Mille, Patek Phillipe, Rolex… today’s rap lyrics seem to double as a roll-call for luxury watch brands. Every other rap song mentions ice, drip, or baguette diamonds as if the ultimate status of success is a neck laden in diamonds.

Voltamagazine “Drippin’ in Ice“.

Interestingly, many producers of costume jewellery mimic rapper-style necklaces with the appearance of diamonds. For example, base metal or sterling silver alternative set with cubic-zirconia.

For many of our jewellery designs, we work with Moissanite. This ethical diamond alternative would work well set into 9ct Gold.

Diamond colours, clarities and certification.

When it comes to diamond quality, we create most line necklaces with a slight variation of diamond clarity. Similarly, colours vary slightly. For instance, we often work to G-H colour and I1 clarity. Similarly, our next grade up is G-H colour and SI clarity.

Owing to the high carat weights, many buyers choose a lower clarity than a single diamond set into an engagement ring.

But, for anyone seeking a clear, white set of diamonds, we suggest G colour and SI clarity, set into 18ct Gold. Coupled with its allergy friendly purity, 18ct Gold offers a more durable setting for diamonds.

Likewise, Platinum works well. However, Platinum can be heavy, and expensive. Fancy diamond colours combine well with some metal choices. For example, brown diamonds set into Rose Gold.

Princess diamond tennis chains.

At this point, we must discuss diamond shapes. Despite its popularity, not all tennis chains feature round diamonds. In fact, square Princess cut diamonds make a popular choice. Other shapes include Baguette cut diamonds, Pear-shaped diamonds and Oval-cut diamonds.

Ornate diamond tennis necklaces.

Many of our necklace designs offer a stylish alternative to traditional designs. For example, the Barleycorn diamond necklace shown here in 18ct Yellow Gold. Set with 2.6cts of natural diamonds, this statement necklace offers a refreshing alternative to line necklace styles.

Example set in 18ct Yellow Gold with 2.6cts of diamonds. Approx. £9,000.

The post Tennis Chains – A Guide to Diamond Tennis Necklaces appeared first on Serendipity Diamonds Blog.

How can I upgrade from 18ct Gold to Platinum?

This is not something you should feel necessary to do.

18ct Gold is a beautiful metal and remains very popular for engagement rings and wedding rings.

But, many consumers decide to replace jewellery—redesigning items made in Platinum.

Why upgrade 18ct White Gold Jewellery to Platinum

Why then, would someone want to upgrade from 18ct Gold to Platinum? 

Many consumers observe a gradual tarnish on their white gold jewellery over time. Besides scratches, white gold loses its Rhodium plating.

Furthermore, the inconsistent colour between the body of the metal and the Rhodium plating may become obvious to others.

As the Rhodium plating wears, the natural off-white colour of gold reveals itself. For this reason, some buyers feel disappointed in a change of appearance. However, this is completely normal for 18ct White Gold. In fact, all jewellers apply a Rhodium plating to white gold.

Upgrading an engagement ring owing to size issues

Some buyers upgrade from 18ct White Gold to Platinum due to size issues. If your ring cannot be resized, it might need to be remade. For this reason, some clients seize the opportunity to remake their ring in Platinum. 

The difficulty comes when additional wedding bands exist in the original metal. As a result, this can be more costly where more rings are involved. 

Our example below shows a Platinum half eternity ring upgraded from 18ct White Gold owing to size issues. 

Our video clip shows the old 18ct White Gold ring mount after unsetting the diamonds. The final ring shows the finished Platinum half eternity ring.

Upgrading to Platinum owing to damage done to the original ring

Damaged beyond repair, some clients choose Platinum for a replacement engagement ring. This could be the perfect opportunity to upgrade from 18ct White Gold to Platinum. 

Upgrading a wedding ring to Platinum due to wear

Sometimes detail wears away over time. For example, hand engravings. Platinum offers a more durable surface for patterns and engravings. We upgrade wedding rings in Platinum with the same detail. For example, hand engravings. Our example below shows a wedding ring upgraded to a new Platinum replica of the ring.

Upgrading Yellow Gold to Platinum

Some mature clients decide to modernise their jewellery. The whiteness of Platinum gives a contemporary feel. Some couples upgrade from Yellow Gold to Platinum to add a more contemporary feel to their jewellery.

Upgrading an engagement ring setting to Platinum

A damaged setting might enable us to use your existing shank. To explain, sometimes we replace an 18ct White Gold setting with a Platinum setting. We mount this onto our client’s original band. 

Emerald cut half-eternity ring upgraded from 18ct White Gold to Platinum for the new ring (see video clip above). 

18ct White Gold and Rhodium Plating

Once polished, 18ct White Gold tends to appear naturally tinted or off-white because of the 75 per cent pure gold content. 18ct White Gold is mixed with other metals. 

Most people realise that pure Gold is Yellow Gold in colour. Alloyed with other precious metals, different alloy metals give it a paler colour. 

This can be said of both 9k, 14k and 18k Gold. In the UK we seldom work with 14k Gold. We create rings in 9k or 18k Gold instead. 

The final stage of finishing involves plating the item with Rhodium. Rhodium is a very hard, ultra-white metal, in the same family as the Platinum group. 

Jewellers apply Rhodium by plating once the ring has been polished. This gives the surface a regular white finish typical for 18ct White Gold.  

Many people incorrectly attribute the colour change to the actual metal tarnishing— a common misconception. 

The wear becomes evident where the ring comes into contact with everyday items over time.  

Owing to the natural white colour of Platinum, it makes the perfect choice for jewellery. 

Which is better – 18ct White Gold or Platinum?

For the answer to this question, we covered things in more detail in one of our alternative blog posts.

Benefits of a Platinum engagement ring

Positive characteristics of Platinum include natural whiteness (no Rhodium), and the ability to be refurbished. 

Re-polishing restores the mirror-like surface of the brand new ring. Also, the intrinsic value, allergy-free properties, and rarity. A further attraction includes a luxurious feel from being a third heavier than 18ct Gold.

The Eleanor halo engagement ring shown here in Platinum with a Black 1 carat diamond.

Gold vs Platinum for ring settings?

Which is better for holding diamonds? A Gold setting or a Platinum setting?

Platinum is generally regarded as the best metal for ring settings. 

More rigid, Platinum gives holds diamonds with more strength. In addition, it requires no plating. Furthermore, Platinum is durable owing to increased density. 

A Platinum setting can be mounted onto a Rose Gold or Yellow Gold band. Or, many buyers order an engagement ring made entirely in Platinum. 

Large Aquamarine set into a substantial Platinum setting

How to upgrade to Platinum

So, with this in mind, how do you go about upgrading the same ring from 18ct White Gold to Platinum?  

The first approach involves a remake of an existing ring design, basing it on the same style, in Platinum. 

We include the cost of the metal from the existing ring. As a result,  we reduce the cost of the new ring. 

First, we work out the gram weight of your current ring. Then, we calculate the scrap metal price. Finally, we remove this cost from the cost to upgrade your ring. 

Working with the original ring, we CAD design or hand-craft the new Platinum ring based on the exact same style. 

Or, some clients seize the opportunity to change their design altogether. Remember, you need to work around your existing diamonds. For this reason, choose a new design suitable for your existing gemstones. 

Rose Gold and Yellow Gold shown with a Platinum setting (Beatrice engagement ring design) 

Increasing the size of your diamond in a new Platinum setting

Perhaps you want to keep to the same engagement ring design. But, maybe you would like a larger diamond. As part of our service, we often part-exchange items. 

By doing this, we re-purchase an existing diamond. Next, we quote to create the new Platinum ring with a bigger diamond. Contact us for help and a personal quote. 

We include the option to increase the size of your diamond when a ring is upgraded to Platinum.

How to increase the number of diamonds in a new Platinum setting.

One of our recent clients used their gold solitaire ring to upgrade to a brand new Platinum 2 stone ring.

In this instance, we used her existing diamond to match a new stone for the ring.

Then, we matched diamonds by size, colour, clarity and cut. Similarly, we provide the same service if a client would like a new ring with diamond shoulders. 

Two diamonds matched to create a 3 stone ring design in Platinum with our client’s centre diamond.

Refurbishment costs for 18ct White Gold and Platinum Jewellery

The cost to refinish 18ct Gold and Platinum is very similar. Despite its hardness, Platinum scratches. From time to time, some clients send in their Platinum rings for repolishing. 

For this reason, decide how important it is to upgrade from 18ct White Gold to Platinum. The cost of refinishing your White Gold could cost less. 

For further information on this service, please just contact us through the website or get in touch directly by email.

What are the first steps involved in upgrading to Platinum?

As your first step, get in touch for help. We recommend taking a photograph of your existing ring. Tell us a few details. It is helpful to understand what you want. During the early stages, we ask appropriate questions. 

Taking all of your needs into consideration, we create a personalized quote. With no obligation, you have full details of suggested work with all of the costs.  

We suggest you allow 4-5 weeks for the work itself. If we CAD design your ring, designs take around 1 week after you accept our quote. 

We offer photography upon completion if needed for £25.00. This works well for overseas clients unable to visit. In addition, photographs provide a blueprint of the ring in case of loss. 

We look forward to hearing from you and helping to upgrade your jewellery from 18ct White Gold to Platinum.

The post Upgrading from 18ct White Gold to Platinum Jewellery appeared first on Serendipity Diamonds Blog.