Best Diamond Necklaces Under $500
Necklaces do a lot of visual work for the price — a pendant sits right at the collarbone, which means even a small stone reads clearly in person and in photos.
Under $500, a solitaire pendant in lab-grown diamond typically outperforms a natural-diamond tennis-style necklace on a per-dollar sparkle basis, simply because tennis necklaces use many small stones (more total cutting and setting cost) versus one larger stone. If you want maximum visual impact for the price, a single well-cut pendant is usually the better bet; if she prefers a more delicate, understated look, a diamond bar or small tennis piece works better layered with other necklaces.
Quick answers
What chain length should I choose if I'm not sure?
16–18 inches (a "princess" length) fits most adult women and sits at or just below the collarbone — it's the safest default if you don't know her preference.
See shipping time, return policy and certification for each retailer before you decide.