Most necklaces are one of four kinds. A chain is the necklace itself, worn on its own. A pendant necklace hangs a single focal point from a chain. A pearl necklace is either a full strand or a single pearl. A tennis necklace is a continuous line of small stones. Choose by what you want the necklace to do: a chain adds line and texture, a pendant gives the eye one place to rest, pearls soften and brighten the face, and a tennis necklace brings an even, unbroken sparkle.
Chain Necklaces: Link Types in Plain Words
A chain is named after the shape of its links, and the link decides how it looks and lies. A cable chain is the simple one: round or oval links joined one through the next. A snake chain is made of tiny plates that form a smooth, flexible tube or ribbon, so it lies flat and catches the light evenly. A rope chain twists its links together, which gives it texture and makes a fine chain look richer. A box chain uses small square links and has a neat, crisp outline. Larger oval or textured links make a bolder chain that is meant to be seen.
Then choose the length. Around 40 to 45 cm sits at or just below the collarbone and suits almost every neckline. Around 50 cm falls onto the upper chest. Around 60 cm and longer drops towards the breastbone and works over high necklines and knitwear. Stroili's Sterling Silver Snake Chain Necklace is a slim, flat snake chain in 925 sterling silver. Giovanni Raspini's Silver Rope Necklace twists sterling silver links into a rope, with a small charm near the clasp. Giode Gioielli's Textured Oval Link Necklace is the bolder option, in gold-tone metal with textured oval links. Dodo's Gold Chain Necklace has round links in gold-plated sterling silver and an adjustable length.
- Sterling Silver Snake Chain Necklace
- Silver Rope Necklace
- Textured Oval Link Necklace
- Gold Chain Necklace
Pendant Necklaces: Choosing a Pendant and Its Chain
A pendant necklace is the most personal kind. Choose the pendant first, by what it means and how much you want it to show. A single stone is quiet and goes with everything. A heart, an initial or a symbol is more personal and works well as a gift. A pendant with a coloured stone brings colour close to the face.
Then match the chain to the pendant. A small, light pendant wants a fine chain, so the chain does not compete. A larger pendant needs a slightly stronger chain to hang well. For length, most pendants sit best at 40 to 45 cm, where they rest just below the hollow of the throat. Miluna's Diamond Solitaire Pendant sets a single brilliant-cut diamond in a bezel on a fine box chain. Stroili's Gold-Plated Teardrop Pendant Necklace sets five cubic zirconia stones in a teardrop fixed to a slim cable chain. Morellato's Gold Heart Pendant is a crystal-set heart in gold-plated silver. Sense's Silver Halo Pendant circles a red gemstone with a halo, on a sterling silver chain.
- Diamond Solitaire Pendant
- Gold-Plated Teardrop Pendant Necklace
- Gold Heart Pendant
- Silver Halo Pendant
Pearl Necklaces: A Strand or a Single Pearl
Pearls reflect a soft light back onto the face, which is why they flatter almost everyone. The first choice is between a strand and a single pearl. A strand of evenly sized round pearls is the classic, and at around 45 cm it sits at the collarbone, the length most people picture when they think of a pearl necklace. A single pearl on a chain is lighter and more modern, and easy to wear every day.
Look at how a strand is made. Pearls knotted on silk, with a small knot between each one, hang evenly and do not rub against one another. Majorica's Classic Pearl Necklace strings cultured pearls on knotted silk, as does Miluna's Pearl Strand Necklace. Sense's Silver Pearl Necklace sets a single cultured pearl in a bezel on a sterling silver chain. Guess's Pearl Station Necklace spaces pearls and rhinestone beads along an adjustable chain, a more relaxed way to wear pearls.
Tennis Necklaces: A Line of Light
A tennis necklace is a single, continuous line of small stones of the same size, each in its own setting so the line moves like a chain. It sits close to the collarbone and gives an even sparkle all the way round, which makes it the most formal of the four. Because it is already bright, it is usually best worn alone or with one very fine chain.
Morellato's Gold Crystal Tennis Necklace sets zircons in gold-plated sterling silver. For something lighter, Stroili's Gold-Plated Cubic Zirconia Necklace spaces nine round cubic zirconia stones along a cable chain: not a full tennis line, but the same idea in a quieter form.
How to Layer Necklaces
Layering works when each necklace has its own space. Start with the shortest, around 40 cm, and make each next piece about 5 cm longer, so the necklaces fall in clear steps rather than tangling. Three is usually enough.
Choose one focal piece, such as a pendant or a pearl, and let the other necklaces be plain chains that support it. Mix textures rather than weights: a snake chain beside a rope chain looks considered, while two heavy chains compete. Keep to one metal, or one metal and pearls, and the layers will read as a single look.
Necklines and Necklace Lengths
Let the neckline decide the length. A crew neck or a high neckline suits a short chain that sits just above it, or a long chain that falls well below it. A V-neck suits a pendant whose drop follows the line of the V. A scoop or square neckline is the natural home for a strand of pearls or a tennis necklace at the collarbone. An off-the-shoulder or strapless neckline gives room for the most visible piece you own. A shirt worn open at the collar suits a fine chain or a small pendant.
Caring for Your Necklaces
Put necklaces on last and take them off first, after perfume, creams and hairspray. Pearls need the most care: wipe them with a soft, dry cloth after wearing and store them flat rather than hanging, so the silk does not stretch. Fasten fine chains before putting them away and keep each one separately, so they do not knot. Keep silver in a pouch or box, and wipe it with a soft cloth to bring back its shine.
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