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Swan Dive Necklace
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84 / 100
ProductScore
Materials: Solid 14K yellow gold; hand-finished curved bar pendant on cable chain
View on Catbird →The Verdict
Catbird's Swan Dive Necklace earns a B+ ProductScore of 84/100 — an elegant curved bar necklace in solid 14K gold that hits the intersection of modern and timeless. The sculpted arc sits beautifully at the collarbone and the quality-to-price ratio is remarkably strong. A nearly perfect everyday necklace for the minimalist fine jewelry buyer.
Score Breakdown
What Customers Say
Based on 2,400 mentions across social media and review platforms
The Swan Dive Necklace is a Catbird fan favorite on Reddit and Instagram, praised for its graceful curved bar design that sits perfectly along the collarbone. Reviewers consistently highlight the quality feel of the solid gold and the versatility — it layers beautifully and works with virtually any neckline. The main critique is that the delicate chain can be hard to fasten solo.
"This necklace sits perfectly in the hollow of my collarbone. It's like it was designed specifically for that spot. The curved bar catches light beautifully without being flashy."
Reddit r/jewelry
"I've worn this every day for over a year — showers, gym, sleep — and it still looks perfect. Solid gold means never worrying about tarnish or plating. Worth every penny."
Google Reviews
"Beautiful necklace but the clasp is tiny and I struggle to put it on myself. I wish Catbird offered a magnetic or toggle clasp option."
Trustpilot
"This is my base layer necklace. I wear it with two other chains of different lengths and it anchors the whole look. The curved bar adds visual interest that a plain chain can't."
Reddit r/femalefashionadvice
"Bought this for my girlfriend's birthday. She literally cried. The design, the packaging, the Catbird story — everything about the experience was perfect."
Google Reviews
"Compared to Mejuri and Gorjana necklaces at similar prices, the Catbird feels noticeably more substantial and better crafted. The handmade quality is evident."
Reddit r/jewelry
Pros & Cons
Strengths
- + Sculpted curved bar design sits elegantly along the collarbone
- + Solid 14K gold construction safe for shower, sleep, and continuous wear
- + Versatile design layers beautifully with other necklaces at different lengths
- + Handmade in Brooklyn with visible artisanal quality
- + Timeless minimalist design that transcends trend cycles
Trade-offs
- − Small spring ring clasp is difficult to fasten without assistance
- − Single gold color option (yellow gold only) limits versatility
- − Curved bar can rotate or shift position throughout the day
- − At $198, it requires commitment despite the value proposition
Specifications
| Metal | Solid 14K yellow gold |
| Pendant | Curved bar, approximately 30mm |
| Chain | 14K gold cable chain, 16 inches with 1-inch extender |
| Closure | Spring ring clasp |
| Weight | Approximately 2 grams total |
| Production | Handmade in Brooklyn, NY |
Featured in Gift Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wear the Catbird Swan Dive Necklace in the shower?
Does the Catbird Swan Dive Necklace work for layering?
Is the Catbird Swan Dive Necklace handmade?
How does the Catbird Swan Dive compare to similar Mejuri necklaces?
Full Review
Catbird’s Swan Dive Necklace captures something that’s deceptively difficult to achieve in jewelry design: effortless elegance. The curved bar pendant sits along the collarbone with a natural grace that suggests the wearer didn’t try at all — she just happens to have impeccable taste. It’s this quality that has made the Swan Dive a quiet bestseller in Catbird’s lineup.
Design & Placement
The Swan Dive’s defining feature is its curved bar pendant — a slim arc of 14K gold that mimics the graceful trajectory of its namesake dive. At approximately 30mm, the bar is sized to sit along the collarbone without extending too far in either direction. The curve is gentle enough to lay flat against the chest without the pendulum-like swinging that straight bar necklaces sometimes exhibit.
The hand-finishing is subtle but perceptible. There’s a warmth to the gold surface that machine-polished pieces lack — it doesn’t reflect light in harsh, mirror-like flashes, but rather in a soft, organic glow that suits the design’s refined character.
The Everyday Test
The Swan Dive excels as an everyday necklace — the kind you put on once and forget about. The solid 14K gold means no concerns about water, sweat, or daily wear. Several long-term reviewers confirm wearing the necklace continuously for over a year with no tarnish, no discoloration, and no chain degradation.
The curved bar does have a tendency to rotate slightly throughout the day, especially under clothing, but it rights itself easily and the movement never positions the pendant awkwardly.
Layering Versatility
At 16 inches, the Swan Dive sits at the ideal layering base — short enough to anchor a multi-chain look, with the curved bar adding visual interest that a plain chain can’t. It pairs particularly well with longer pendant necklaces and shorter choker-length chains, creating a dimensional look with minimal effort.
Who Should Buy This
The Swan Dive Necklace is for the woman who wants one beautiful gold necklace she can wear every day without thinking about it. It’s for the minimalist who wants something more interesting than a plain chain, and for the layerer who needs a refined base piece. At $198 for handmade solid gold, the value proposition speaks for itself.
