19 timeless pieces of diamond jewelry to gift this year - for every budget

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A diamond-encrusted letter charm

A diamond-encrusted letter charm
Mini Letter Charm Pendant with White Diamonds, $450, available at AUrate

Pick the first letter of her name or something of special significance for a sweet, sentimental gift she'll have forever. The charm necklaces are solid gold and encrusted in sparkling white diamonds, and can be worn at both her collarbones or chest. You can order it in yellow, rose, or white gold.

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A delicate stacker ring

A delicate stacker ring
Diamond Stacker Ring, $240, available at AUrate with optional engraving

This stacker ring is the perfect foundational piece for a jewelry collection. It’s bright, refined, and elegant — and it can be worn all-day and both on its own or stacked for a customized look.

You can order it in yellow, rose, or white gold and either 14-karat ($240) or 18-karat ($320). You can also add a personalized engraving.

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A tennis bracelet

A tennis bracelet
Perfect Diamond Tennis Bracelet, $3,750, available at The Last Line

The tennis bracelet is a classic, often expensive piece that can spend a while on the wish list before it’s ever bought or gifted. It’s a singular strand of diamonds that benefit by being more understated than a necklace or single-stone ring, and which will never go out of style.

You can order The Last Line's tennis bracelet in 14-karat yellow, rose, or white gold. You can also opt for a tennis bracelet made from emeralds, blue sapphire, rubies, or a mix of stones for under $1,500.

A necklace with an arc of five diamonds

A necklace with an arc of five diamonds
Majesty Curve Necklace with Black Diamonds, $660, available at Catbird

This necklace is dainty and unique, with five black diamonds strung in an arc along a fine, barely-there chain. You can also find it with white diamonds for $854.

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An innovative drop earring

An innovative drop earring
Diamond Greco Lariat Earring, $164, available at Catbird (sold individually)

This is another highly contemporary — and relatively inexpensive — piece of diamond jewelry. The gold threads through a diamond button for an innovative twist, making this earring an elegant statement piece. The Greco Lariat earrings are sold individually and can be worn as a statement piece alone or paired for a more classic look.

A distinct, mixed shapes ring

A distinct, mixed shapes ring
Mix Diamond Cuff Ring, $1,645, available at Vrai & Oro

This Mix Diamond Cuff Ring brings two distinct shapes together for a unique pairing — a modern baguette and brilliant-cut diamond. It's eye-catching, modern, and inventive. Order it in yellow, white, or rose gold.

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Diamond studs

Diamond studs
Bony Levy Diamond Stud Earrings, from $575 depending upon carat, available at Nordstrom

These diamond studs can be ordered in a wide variety of carat weights. You can pay as little as $575 for .25 carat studs, or as much as $10,995 for 1.75 carats. Either way, she'll likely wear these more than almost any other piece in her jewelry collection.

A band of emerald diamonds

A band of emerald diamonds
Emerald Tetrad Band, $2,255, available at Vrai & Oro

The Emerald Tetrad Band is another good candidate for a bolder, but not quite in-your-face ring. Four vertically-set emerald diamonds are framed in 14-karat solid gold for durability. Order one in yellow, white, or rose gold.

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A unique double baguette bracelet

A unique double baguette bracelet
Suzanne Kalan Fireworks 18-Karat Gold Diamond Double Baguette Bracelet, $7,400, available on Shopbop

This unique, textured Suzanne Kalan bracelet is made of a zigzag row of bright diamonds. It's malleable to fit her wrist perfectly, and you can order one in both rose and yellow gold.

A diamond pendant necklace

A diamond pendant necklace
Medium Diamond Pendant Necklace, $450, available at AUrate

AUrate’s medium diamond pendant necklace features a round brilliant-cut diamond, and is the smaller iteration of the startup’s $1,200 large version. It can be worn at two set lengths — her collarbone or her chest — and is made from ethical gold by conflict-free suppliers. AUrate estimates the same necklace would cost about $1,170 in traditional retail. You can order it in yellow, rose, or white gold. It’s $450 for 14-karat gold, and $580 for 18-karat gold.

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A sparkly pave ring

A sparkly pave ring
Diamonds Team Ring, $395, available at Mejuri

The Team Ring is 14-karat solid gold and set with 15 diamonds to make for the daintiest statement piece you've ever seen. It can be worn on its own or stacked for a layered effect and will never go out of style. As always, Mejuri's diamonds are ethically sourced.

A wrap necklace

A wrap necklace
Diamond Greco Lariat Necklace, $288, available at Catbird

This beautiful, intuitive necklace wraps around to find the perfect resting point on the neck, with a discreet clasp to keep the movement unbroken and a recycled diamond placed to guide the eye. It layers well or can be worn alone for an elegant effect.

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Bar studs

Bar studs
Diamonds Bar Studs, $220, available at Mejuri

These classic bar studs are handcrafted in 14-karat solid gold with four ethically sourced diamonds. They’re beautiful on their own or stacked with other jewelry if the wearer has multiple piercings. You also have the option of black or white diamonds.

A delicate triangle ring

A delicate triangle ring
Three-Step Triangle Ring, $544, available at Catbird

Wwake's inventive Three-Step Triangle Ring can be worn on its own or stacked for a customized look.

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A unique four-step baguette ring

A unique four-step baguette ring
Wwake 14-Karat Four Step Baguette Ring, $1,500, available at Shopbop

Wwake is NYC designer Wing Yau's award-winning jewelry label, and this unique four-step baguette is a distinct nod to Yau's background as a sculptor.

A beautiful crescent moon necklace

A beautiful crescent moon necklace
Diamond Moon Necklace, $960, available at Catbird

This crescent moon diamond necklace is made by a New York-based designer, Gillian Conroy, that uses conflict-free diamonds.

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Graphically designed pearl and diamond earrings

Graphically designed pearl and diamond earrings
Proud Pearl Earrings with White Diamonds, $1,300, available at AUrate with optional engraving

AUrate’s pearl and diamond earrings may cost over $1,000, but they look far more expensive. The big 12mm pearls and 12 white diamonds are about as enduring of elements as you can get in jewelry, and the combination feels both classic and contemporary thanks to its graphic silhouette. You can also get them engraved with a personal message. The Proud Pearl earrings come in yellow, rose, and white gold in 14-karat and 18-karat ($1,500) and black diamonds.

A unique beaded diamond ring

A unique beaded diamond ring
Diamond Beaded Ring, $169, available at Mejuri

This is another good example of a diamond that looks like it should be more expensive than it is; Mejuri estimates this would typically retail for $507 rather than $169. The diamond is surrounded by a four prong setting that helps catch the light, and the beaded band makes the ring feel unique and modern without displacing how classic it is. It also comes in gold.

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A set of minimalist constellation rings

A set of minimalist constellation rings
Constellation Stack Rings, $380, available at Vrai & Oro

The constellation stack brings together two favorite Vrai and Oro diamond rings into a set to make a celestial pattern she can wear together, spaced apart, or on separate fingers. They’re available in yellow, white, and rose gold. Add gift wrapping for $5.

Vrai & Oro diamonds come from Diamond Foundry, which means they’re sustainably grown using solar technology in Silicon Valley. They’re 100% carbon neutral, traceable, and G-I color and SI+ quality.

A rose gold bow ring

A rose gold bow ring
Ginette NY Tiny Diamond 18K Rose Gold Ring, $765, available at Moda Operandi

This dainty ring is made from 18-karat rose gold and topped with a diamond-encrusted bow charm.

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Understated diamond studs

Understated diamond studs
Diamond Mini Studs, $220, available at Mejuri

Diamond studs are a classic piece of jewelry, and one she will never outgrow. Mejuri’s diamond studs are small and understated, so they’re especially easy to wear. Mini studs go well with anything and any occasion, and they can be worn with other jewelry or on their own. Get them in clear or black diamonds.

White gold huggies

White gold huggies
Anita Ko 18-Karat White Gold Diamond Earrings, $1,275, available at Net-a-Porter

White gold diamond huggies are one of the most versatile diamond earring gifts you can give, and the close-fitting silhouette makes the classic distinctly modern.

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A drop statement earring

A drop statement earring
Diamond Bezel Drop Earring, $595, available at The Last Line (sold individually)

This simple, long chain of diamonds is elegant and versatile — earrings are sold individually, and one can be worn for a modern configuration, or in a pair for an elegant, classic effect.

A dainty open hoop

A dainty open hoop
Diamond Open Hoop, $238, available at Catbird

This tiny gold open hoop is the perfect understated gift, hugging the lobe and fitting snugly against the ear so it won't fall out. It's perfect to wear with everything from drinks with friends to the office.

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