Heart Necklaces

A pave heart is a gold heart covered in many small diamonds, so the shape carries the sparkle. A heart-shaped diamond necklace uses one stone cut into a heart, usually held in a bezel. Pave hearts read brighter at a distance for less carat weight, a single heart-cut stone reads more precious up close.

Diamond weight on the paved hearts runs from about 0.14 carats on the dainty size to 0.80 carats on the large one, with 0.20, 0.38 and 0.53 sitting in between. The smallest sits flat under a shirt collar. The largest is the piece you wear on its own with nothing layered over it.

It is one of the most common reasons people buy one, along with birthdays and a first serious gift. Choose 14K yellow gold if you do not know what she already owns, since it works with almost every other piece in a jewelry box. If you are unsure of size, the mid range around 0.38 carats is the safest call.

The smallest paved hearts, around 0.14 carats on a 16 inch chain, are the sizes bought as a first fine jewelry piece. Solid 14K gold does not irritate the way plated metal can, and a pave or bezel setting has no raised prongs to catch on hair. The adjustable chain means it still fits in a few years.