24 Reasons Why You Need a Diamond Initial Necklace

Discover how to personalize your jewelry look with a diamond initial pendant.

By Jane Asher | April 4, 2025

Sydney Evan, Monica Rich Kosann, Maya Brenner

A diamond Initial necklace is one of the best ways to personalize your jewelry. Whether you wear your own initial, your partner’s initial, or even your children’s initials, it’s a sleek and classic look that appeals to all ages, styles, and genders.

“I think people are naturally drawn to jewelry that feels personal and meaningful,” says Alison Chemla, the designer behind Alison Lou, whose best-sellers include diamond initial charms and pendants. “Whether it’s your own initial, a child’s, a partner’s, or even a pet’s—it instantly creates a connection.” Chemla believes initial jewelry stands out from a simple diamond pendant or charm because “initial necklaces say something about who you are without being too loud. While a plain diamond necklace is beautiful and classic, an initial adds personality and intention.”

Meet the Expert

Alison Chemla is the creative director and designer behind fine jewelry brand Alison Lou.
She has designed jewelry for numerous celebrities, including Gigi Hadid, Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, and more.

History of Initial Jewelry

Initial jewelry dates back to ancient times, with ancient Greek and Roman rulers who used monograms on coins to identify the region or ruler from which the coin came. Both civilizations loved their jewelry and adornments and were known to wear initial pendant necklaces specifically.

The tradition continued into medieval times and initials were commonly used on trinkets like mirrors and silverware. The ill-fated second wife of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, famously wore a gold “B” pendant on a strand of pearls around her neck. This striking piece was captured in her official portrait dating back to the 16th century, now housed in London’s National Portrait Gallery.

In Victorian times, initial jewelry became popular among romantic couples, with a rise of lockets and monograms as gifts between lovers, often with two initials intertwined as a symbol of their romance.

In the mid-1940s, legendary jeweler Fulco di Verdura added his own inimitable flair to the tradition, crafting a diamond-set initial bracelet for his close friend, Margaret “Nin” Ryan. A decade later, his fascination with personalization evolved into a dazzling diamond alphabet inspired by the ornate lettering of Renaissance manuscripts. Today, Verdura’s stylized diamond letters remain among the maison’s most beloved designs.

Today, a diamond initial necklace can be used to represent a romantic love of a partner, a familial love of a child or grandchild, or self-love when wearing one’s own initial on a necklace. Styles run the gamut as well, from the trendy chubby initial to the more classic dainty style.

Modern Day Monograms

24 Reasons Why You Need a Diamond Initial Necklace — Duchess of Cambridge in Battersea Park, London, September 22, 2020. (Getty Images)

Some diamond initial necklaces go for a bold chunky look, like Hailey Bieber’s viral bubble diamond pavé ‘B’ necklace from Alex Moss, representing her married name. After welcoming her newborn son, Jack Blues Bieber, Hailey added a ‘JBB’ diamond initial necklace to her collection.

Other diamond initial necklaces are small and dainty, perfect for layering with other chains and necklaces, like Taylor Swift’s “T” necklace, which could be a nod to her boyfriend Travis Kelce or for herself. Swift wore the Lorraine Schwartz necklace for the first time on her thigh at the 2025 Grammy Awards and again around her neck at the 2025 Super Bowl.

Another style often seen in custom diamond initial necklaces is the stamped or engraved disc. Kate Middleton wears one with three discs, each engraved with the initials of her children, “G,” “C,” and “L,” from Irish brand All The Falling Stars. Meghan Markle followed suit with a similarly engraved necklace with her and her husband Prince Harry’s initials in diamonds, although her piece was a dog tag style with a round diamond on the top left corner from Mini Mini Jewels.

In the early days of her career, Philly-born rapper Eve often wore her signature “R” diamond pendant as a shoutout to her record label, Ruff Ryders Entertainment. Fellow rapper Lil’ Kim consistently sported her iconic diamond “B” necklace topped with a crown, cementing her status as the Queen of Rap or the “Queen Bee.”

Pop superstars Britney Spears and Madonna had everyone talking after their infamous kiss at the 2003 MTV VMAs following their performance of “Like A Virgin.” The duo wore matching diamond necklaces with their respective initials, ‘B’ and ‘M’. Spears told the press that Madonna had purchased the jewels as a friendship gift.

Madonna commissioned Neil Lane to create the custom diamond ‘M’ initial necklace. The jewelry designer told People, “She said, ‘I need something else on the neck like a giant diamond ‘M.’ She was so exact. We stayed up all night in the workshop and made it in one day.” He continued, “Everyone starting wearing diamond initials, and she gave one to Britney [Spears].” He said, “She commissioned me to make one for Britney with a B.”

Most recently, Kendrick Lamar stormed the stage during the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime show in New Orleans, wearing a polarizing natural diamond initial necklace designed by one of Lamar’s go-to jewelers Eliantte. The lowercase ‘a’ pendant is suspected to stand for “A-minor,” in homage to his lyrics from the chart-topping Drake diss track, “Not Like Us.” As a finishing touch, the diamond ‘a’ chain necklace was rendered in the same font as the logo for his production company, “pgLang.”

No matter what style suits you, a diamond initial necklace is a stylish form of self-expression and can be worn as a statement, stacked with other necklaces, or as a dainty piece all on its own. Below, see our top diamond initial necklace picks from some of our favorite designers.