Real size and the diamonds first, then the gold, the chain and how to care for it
A women's diamond cross pendant, or a diamond cross necklace with its chain, is most often small here: 1 to 1.5 inches tall, about three quarters of an inch wide and close to 2.5 grams in 14K gold. Its white diamonds are natural unless the title says lab-grown. Start at that size, pick her gold color, then choose a fine chain or a set that brings its own.
Size: how big a women's diamond cross pendant looks, mini to statement
Nearly two in three crosses sold here stand 1 to 1.5 inches tall, so start there.
For a dainty cross or a gift, go under an inch: the Mini Diamond Cross is 20 mm tall and 9 mm wide. Past 1.5 inches the weight climbs fast, so read the grams on the listing and give it a stronger chain. Ask the desk whether a listed height takes in the bail.
Diamonds: diamond cross pendants, natural or lab-grown
The diamond grades given on these crosses run mostly G or H color and SI to VS clarity, with none in the included I range. Read lab-grown or natural diamonds for how the two differ.
A baguette cross lines its arms with long rectangular diamonds, and a cluster cross gathers small round ones. For color, sapphire comes first, then emerald, ruby and opal. Match it with diamond cross earrings, or see every cross the store carries.
Gold: 14K, 10K or 18K diamond cross in yellow, white or rose
Choose 14K for a cross worn every day. Seven in ten crosses sold here were 14K: it is harder than 18K and richer in color than 10K. 18K is the deeper yellow.
Most crosses come in all three golds; pick the color she already wears. Ask the desk what the white gold is finished with. For sterling, see silver cross necklaces.
The chain: the length, the clasp and the bail
A cross sold alone needs a fine chain that slides through its bail, the small loop at the top. Most sets let you choose 18, 20, 22 or 24 inches.
Few listings name the clasp; the Enzo Diamond Cross set says lobster. Otherwise look at the photos: a lobster clasp holds a fine chain more surely than a small spring ring, and the desk can tell you which one a set has.
A cross can come back within fourteen calendar days of delivery, unworn and unaltered. Customer service clears it first, at service@traxnyc.com or 212-391-3832; it goes back only on the store's return label. The refund is less that label and the five percent restocking fee. A cross made for you, or a chain cut shorter, is final; the refund policy has the rest.
Care: how to keep a diamond cross bright, in plain steps
- After each wear, give it a wipe with a soft, dry cloth.
- Now and then, rest it a few minutes in warm water and a little mild soap, brush it softly with a baby toothbrush, rinse it and dry it with the cloth.
- Remove it before a workout, a swim or a hot tub, and put it on after lotion and perfume.
- Check the prongs now and then: if a diamond moves when you tap it, stop wearing the cross until a jeweler has tightened it.
- Keep it in its own pouch, so a chain or another piece cannot scratch it.