Gold Necklace Buying Guide: How to Choose an 18K Gold Necklace
Buying guide
Choose a gold necklace on five things: the karat, the pendant style, the stones, the chain length and your budget. For a pendant with fine detail or diamonds, 18K gold is the usual choice: it is 75% gold, stamped 750, and harder than 21K or 22K, so settings stay secure. Lana Al Kamal necklaces are made in 18K gold and start from AED 3,200 for the Arabic Letter Necklace (November 2026).
Shop the Heart Diamonds Necklace Double Face18K gold · Free delivery in the UAE · Help on WhatsApp
By Lana Al Kamal
Founder and jewellery designer, GIA-trained, Dubai · Updated 12 November 2026
As featured in
Harper's Bazaar ArabiaEmirates WomanGrazia ArabiaJdeed MagazineKey takeaways
- Check five things before you buy a gold necklace: karat, pendant style, stones, chain length and budget.
- 18K gold is 75% gold, stamped 750, and suits fine pendants set with diamonds; look for the clarity and colour, such as VS and G-H.
- Lana Al Kamal necklaces start at AED 3,200 for the Arabic Letter Necklace (November 2026).
The five things to check
| What to check | Why it matters | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Karat | Sets gold content, colour and strength | 18K (750) for diamond and detailed pieces |
| Pendant style | Says what the necklace is about | A name or letter, a symbol, a gemstone motif |
| Stones | Adds sparkle or colour | Diamond clarity and colour stated, such as VS and G-H |
| Chain length | Decides where the pendant sits | About 40 to 45 cm sits at the collarbone |
| Budget | Gold and diamond weight drive the price | A clear price per piece, made to order or ready to ship |
Pieces in this guide
Heart Diamonds Necklace Double FaceAED 4,200Shop now
Arabic Letter NecklaceAED 3,200Shop now
Hive Malachite Choker★★★★★ 5.0 (6 reviews)AED 3,800Shop now
Which karat for a gold necklace?
18K gold is 75% gold, 21K is 87.5% and 22K is about 91.6%. Higher karats are richer in colour but softer, so fine lettering and stone settings wear faster. Our 18K vs 21K guide and our guide to gold karats for a name necklace explain the details, and our guide to real gold and gold-plated necklaces shows how to spot plating.
Which pendant style suits her?
Personal pendants carry a name, a letter or a word: the Arabic Name Necklace (from AED 4,250), the Arabic Letter Necklace (AED 3,200) and the Al Saudia country necklace (AED 8,000). Symbol pendants carry a shape, such as the Joy Star Necklace, a star in two shades of green with VS diamonds (AED 4,200), or the Heart Diamonds Necklace Double Face (AED 4,200). Gemstone pieces add colour, such as the Kheffah Necklace with green malachite and bee and hive details (AED 4,300). All prices are from November 2026. For word ideas, see our Arabic word necklace ideas.
What to buyHeart Diamonds Necklace Double Face, AED 4,200Diamonds, enamel or gemstones?
Diamonds give sparkle that suits every day; check that the seller states clarity and colour. Lana Al Kamal lists VS clarity and G-H colour on its diamond necklaces. Enamel, as on the Joy Diamond and Ward pieces, adds colour without stones. Gemstones such as malachite, mother-of-pearl and freshwater pearls are softer and need more care: keep them away from water and perfume, as our guide to wearing a gold necklace every day explains.
Choker or longer chain?
A choker of about 35 to 40 cm sits at the base of the neck; a chain of about 40 to 45 cm puts a pendant at the collarbone. The Hive Malachite Choker (AED 3,800) is a short chain that layers with longer ones. Lana Al Kamal product pages do not state chain lengths, so ask the team if you need a specific one. Our chain length guide shows how to measure at home.
Made to order or ready to ship?
Personalised necklaces are made to order: production takes about 15 working days, then shipping about 3 working days in the UAE, about 5 to Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC, and about 10 to the USA. The Heart Diamonds Necklace Double Face is listed as ready to ship, with no production time, so it is the faster gift. See our guide to delivery times for the full picture. Shipping cost is shown before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Which karat is best for a gold necklace?
18K for pendants with diamonds or fine detail: it is 75% gold and harder than 21K or 22K, so settings stay secure.
How much is an 18K gold necklace?
Lana Al Kamal 18K gold necklaces start at AED 3,200 for the Arabic Letter Necklace and AED 3,800 for several pendants and chokers (November 2026).
What does 750 mean on a gold necklace?
750 is the stamp for 18K gold: 750 parts of gold per 1,000, or 75%.
What chain length is best for a pendant?
About 40 to 45 cm for most people, so the pendant sits at the collarbone.
Is there a gold necklace that ships without a wait?
The Lana Al Kamal Heart Diamonds Necklace Double Face is listed as ready to ship, with no production time.
Not sure which one?
Send the studio a photo or a question on WhatsApp and we will help you choose.
WhatsApp the studioKeep reading
Chain Length Guide for Name and Pendant Necklaces
18K vs 21K Gold: Which Is Better for Jewellery?Can You Shower With 18K Gold? Wearing a Gold Necklace Every Day
About Lana Al Kamal
Lana Al Kamal is an architect and jewellery designer who founded her Dubai-based fine jewellery brand in 2018. She studied at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and is a member of the Dubai Chamber jewellery designers group. Every piece is made in 18K gold.
