So I started looking for princess cut diamond tennis necklaces last month because my sister’s wedding is coming up. Wanted to gift her something classy but didn’t wanna get ripped off. Honestly? Total nightmare at first. Jewelry stores talk in secret codes and prices make your eyes pop.
My Shopping Journey Step-by-Step
First stop was downtown jewelry shops. Walked in feeling fancy, walked out confused. Sales dude kept throwing words like “VS clarity” and “ideal cut” at me. Asked the most important question: “How do I know I’m not getting screwed?” He just smiled and showed me sparkly things under bright lights. Useless.
Went home mad and fired up YouTube. Watched like twenty videos until my brain fizzed. Realized three things matter most:
- Stone quality doesn’t need perfection – nobody’s putting a microscope on her neck!
- Chain weight is sneaky important – flimsy chains snap when you lean forward.
- “Diamond melee” is just baby diamonds – why don’t they just say that?!
The Game-Changing Move
Decided to hit pawn shops. Sounds crazy but hear me out – those guys actually explain stuff straight. One owner showed me three princess cut necklaces side-by-side:
- One looked cloudy under normal light
- One had stones set unevenly like crooked teeth
- One actually made me go “oooh” naturally
That’s when I got it – seeing them like regular jewelry beats fancy displays. Made notes: avoid “K-L color grade” (stones look yellow against skin), demand “G-H” instead. Ignore “certification papers” for small stones – total scam.
Sealing The Deal
Found a local jeweler who lets you mix-and-match chains and stones. Tried on four chains:
- 14K white gold = light but scratches easy
- 18K gold = heavy richness
- Sterling silver = turned my neck green in 10 mins
- Platinum = winner (like wearing smooth river rocks)
Stuck with 2mm stones – big enough to sparkle when she moves, small enough not to shout “rob me!”. Paid cash for 10% off. Final lesson? Trust your gut more than labels. Princess cuts should look like crushed glitter in sunlight, not glass chips.