On the resale market, a diamond necklace is worth the sum of its parts: the center diamond if it has one, the smaller accent diamonds, the gold or platinum in the pendant and the chain, and sometimes the brand name. Resale offers are typically well below what the necklace cost new. Necklaces with a large natural center stone or a major designer name hold the most value.
Solitaire Pendants: The Center Stone Does the Work
On a solitaire pendant, nearly all the value sits in the single diamond. It's judged the same way an engagement ring's center stone is, on carat, cut, color and clarity, and on whether it's natural or lab-grown. A grading report makes the stone much easier to price. We break that down in engagement ring resale value, and the same logic applies to a pendant.
Are Diamond Heart Necklaces Worth Anything?
They can be. Heart pendants like the one pictured, with small diamonds pavé-set along an open heart, are one of the most popular necklace styles ever made. Whether a particular one is worth much depends on two things.
The first is what it's made of. Plenty of heart pendants are sterling silver set with cubic zirconia, which have little resale value beyond the silver. Others are 14K or 18K gold or platinum with real diamonds. The stamp, usually on the bail (the loop the chain runs through) or on the back of the pendant, is the first clue, and testing confirms it.
The second is the diamonds themselves. Pavé hearts use many small diamonds, and small diamonds trade at low prices per carat, so they add less than the retail price suggests. We explain why in cluster diamond ring value.
Don't Forget the Chain
The chain is valued separately, and it isn't always the same metal or karat as the pendant. Check the clasp for its own stamp. A heavy gold chain can be worth as much as the pendant hanging on it, while thin chains add little. Rope chains like the one in the photo are sometimes hollow, which makes them lighter than they look. More on chains in what gold chains are really worth.
Designer Diamond Necklaces
A necklace from a major jewelry house can sell for more than the value of its metal and diamonds, especially with its original box and papers. Brand recognition, design and demand on the resale market all play a part. See our designer jewelry page for the names that tend to hold value, and why David Yurman holds its resale value for one example.
Is My Diamond Necklace Real?
- Check the stamps on the clasp and the bail: 10K, 14K, 18K (or 417, 585, 750), PT950 for platinum, or 925 for sterling silver.
- Look at the stones under a loupe. Cubic zirconia often looks scratched or cloudy after years of wear, while diamond stays crisp.
- Have the stones tested with both a diamond tester and a moissanite tester, since moissanite can read as diamond on a basic tester.
Our guide to what gold stamps mean covers every common mark, including the ones that mean a piece is only plated.
Do Diamond Necklaces Hold Their Value?
Like most diamond jewelry, a necklace usually resells for a fraction of its retail price. The retail price included design, labor and markup, which we cover in why retail jewelry markup kills resale value. Store appraisals often list an insurance replacement value, which is higher again.
The necklaces that hold value best are the ones with a strong natural center diamond, a heavy gold or platinum chain, or a sought-after designer name. Pavé and fashion pieces are valued mainly on their metal. If yours is a line of matching diamonds, see diamond tennis necklaces and tennis bracelet value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I sell my diamond necklace for?
It depends on its parts: the size and quality of any center diamond, the accent diamonds, the weight and karat of the gold or platinum in the pendant and chain, and the brand. Expect a resale offer to be well below the original retail price.
Are diamond heart necklaces worth anything?
If the heart is solid gold or platinum with real diamonds, yes. It is worth its metal plus the diamonds, and designer pieces can be worth more. Many heart pendants are sterling silver with cubic zirconia, which are worth much less. The stamp on the bail or clasp is the first clue.
Do diamond necklaces hold their value?
Most resell for a fraction of their retail price. Necklaces with a large natural center diamond, a heavy gold or platinum chain, or a major designer name hold their value best.
Can I sell the pendant and keep the chain?
Yes. The pendant and chain are valued separately, so you can sell either one on its own and keep the other.