Tennis Necklace, 3mm or 4mm Stones in s925 Silver

A tennis necklace is a continuous line of stones, so the setting decides how much of it you actually see. This one uses a three claw head on each stone, which is the minimum metal needed to hold it. Less metal means more of the pavilion is open to the light, so the line reads bright rather than grey. The links are individually articulated, so the chain follows the curve of the neck instead of standing away from it.

Stone choice splits into moissanite and zircon at both widths. Moissanite is the harder stone at 9.25 Mohs, and on a necklace that matters because the line sits against collars and seatbelts all day. It also has a higher refractive index than diamond, around 2.65, so the fire is stronger down the whole row. Zircon is softer and flatter in its light return, and it will lose crispness faster, but it builds the same look for a lot less outlay.

Width and length work together. The 3mm is the wearable choice and sits well under a collar or next to a chain. The 4mm has visible heft and is meant to be seen on its own. Lengths run 38cm to 61cm. The 38cm and 41cm sit high on the throat as a choker. The 45cm and 51cm are the usual picks and fall at or just below the collarbone. The 56cm and 61cm drop onto the chest and layer over a shirt.

• Stone: 3mm or 4mm moissanite, or 3mm or 4mm zircon
• Metal: s925 sterling silver
• Finish: white gold, yellow gold or rose gold
• Lengths: 38cm, 41cm, 45cm, 51cm, 56cm, 61cm
• Build: three claw heads on articulated links
• Note: the GRA certificate applies to the moissanite option only