When Superior Diamond Cutters in New York City made this diamond necklace, it had in mind a woman who loves cushion-cut stones. The piece is made of 18k white gold and has seven cushion-cut, graduated diamonds that are 5.38 cts. t.w. and K-VS2 in color and clarity, as well as colorless melee for accents. It retails for $15,500.

Leading up to its creation, Superior spent weeks trying to source suitable matching diamonds—all of which came from suppliers in the Big Apple and Israel, and from existing company stock.

The necklace took two months to make, with ever-present challenges like flexibility and movement (it needed to sit gracefully on the neck). A 28-year-old company spokesperson—the only woman who works at Superior—got the plum job of model during its creation.

“About once a week for the eight-week or so process, I was trying the necklace on to see how it fit and continually checking if the stones were centered and set appropriately,” she tells JCK.

The piece is still available for purchase.

Necklace in 18k white gold has seven graduated cushion-cut diamonds that are 5.38 cts. t.w., and K-VS2 in color and clarity; $15,500

JCK