Whether you’re dressing up with a diamond tennis necklace or sporting your staple cross pendant for everyday style, we understand that choosing the right women’s necklace can make or break a look. The next time you’re shopping for the special lady in your life or treating yourself to a much-deserved accessory, consult our list of necklace styles to help you narrow your search.
Express Yourself with Beautiful Necklaces
When it comes to jewelry, women’s necklaces are more than an accessory—they’re a way to express yourself. Though it may seem like a simple choice, choosing between religious pendants, bold statement pieces, and subtle chains reflects your personal style and shows the world who you really are.
Something as small as a necklace can also be the secret to elevating your outfit! The right design acts as a focal point, transforming your ordinary day-to-day looks into something sophisticated and chic. With the right gold necklace, you’ll enhance your features and draw all eyes to you in every room you enter.
3 Factors to Consider When Buying a Women’s Necklace
The idea of walking past a window display and finding the perfect diamond necklace right away isn’t realistic: purchasing a design of your own involves a little bit of research beforehand! As you prepare to browse for different women’s necklaces, you’ll need to consider these crucial factors:
1. What’s Your Ideal Necklace Metal?
The metals used in women’s necklaces matter for two main reasons: durability and style. Some metals, such as tungsten, stainless steel, or 14K gold, are more resistant to surface scratches and chipping, making them the preferred option for designs you’ll wear often. Though it sounds like it should be the ideal material for fine jewelry, 24K gold is a softer metal and can be easily bent, making it less practical for everyday wear.
If you want a design that will last you a lifetime, you’ll think about metal before any other design element. Metal is also something that defines a necklace’s overall aesthetic. Do you prefer the pinkish hues of rose gold? Are you a fan of the warm tones of classic yellow gold necklaces? Does the sleek look of sterling silver speak to you? Each metal offers its own distinct style!
2. What’s Your Preferred Necklace Length?
Did you know that finding the right necklace length can dramatically affect the look of the design and outfit? When shopping for different tennis necklaces and meaningful pearl necklaces, you’ll notice a range of lengths available. Each one has its own benefits, whether it’s drawing the attention down, framing your face, or complementing your neckline.
Most Common Necklace Lengths:
- 14-inch
- 16-inch
- 18-inch
- 20-inch
- 24-inch
- 28-inch
- 36-inch
3. What’s the Occasion?
As you browse for your new women’s necklace, it’s important to think about where and when you plan to wear it. Are you searching for a more subtle, all-metal pendant necklace for everyday wear? Or a dazzling white gold diamond tennis necklace to be worn on special occasions? Do you want something more versatile that can be dressed up or down to suit any type of event? Ask yourselves these questions while shopping to find the perfect piece for her.
A Quick Guide to Women’s Necklace Types
With so many luxury brands and styles to choose from, narrowing down your women’s necklace options can feel like a daunting task. If you want to feel prepared as you head into your local jewelry store, we’ve got you covered. Use this alphabetical list of the most popular types of women’s necklaces to find inspiration as you shop:
Beaded Strand Necklaces
Beaded necklaces are made by stringing individual beads onto a cord or chain. Though they can be found in various styles and feature different types of beads (such as glass, metal, gemstone, or wood), they all give the same playful touch to your look.
Bib Necklaces
Bib necklaces are the perfect statement design, with a broad, wide decorative section designed to cover the upper chest and neck area (just like the bib they’re named after). These embellishments can be fashioned out of multiple strands, colorful beads, vibrant gemstones, or intricate metalwork and are sure to stand out against every outfit you wear.
Birthstone Necklaces
Birthstone necklaces describe the designs that feature the meaningful gemstones assigned to the months of the year. It’s long believed by cultures around the world that wearing one’s birthstone brings protection and good fortune, making these styles the perfect present for those you love.
It’s important to note that this category can actually include a wide variety of other styles on this list, from pendant necklaces to cross necklaces and more, but they’re so popular that they demand their own spot! If you’re searching for a ruby necklace for your daughter’s July birthday or a matching set of diamond earrings and tennis necklace for your wife’s April birthstone gift, there are plenty of options to explore.
Follow the Modern Day Birthstone List as You Shop
These days, more and more jewelers are consulting the modern birthstone list, rather than the traditional one. While you have the option to use either, this one is most up-to-date:
- January: Garnet
- February: Amethyst
- March: Aquamarine
- April: Diamond
- May: Emerald
- June: Alexandrite
- July: Ruby
- August: Peridot or Spinel
- September: Sapphire
- October: Tourmaline or Opal
- November: Golden Topaz or Citrine
- December: Blue Zircon, Blue Topaz, or Tanzanite
Charm Necklaces
A charm necklace consists of multiple small ornaments hanging off a chain. These dangling decorations are often symbolic to the wearer and, depending on the brand, can be swapped out for a customized look. If you’re looking for a women’s necklace jewelry gift that holds sentimental value, consider gifting a chain along with a few meaningful charms to get their collection started.
Chain Necklaces
Chain necklaces consist of metal links that are interconnected and are widely considered one of the most versatile designs around. There are multiple chain link styles and necklace lengths to choose from, each with its own unique look, from minimal and dainty to chunky and bold:
- Box: symmetrical, flat, square-shaped links
- Byzantine: intricately woven and regal rope-like chain
- Cable: connected and smooth, round or oval links
- Curb: uniform, twisted, and flattened interlocking links
- Figaro: repeating Italian pattern of two to three circle links followed by a larger, elongated oval link
- Franco: interconnected and flexible V-shaped links
- Herringbone: flat, slanted links woven to create a smooth V-shaped pattern resembling fish bones
- Paperclip: uniform, elongated links that resemble the shape of a paperclip
- Rope: multiple links twisted and braided together to resemble the texture of a rope
- Wheat: four strands of interlocking, woven oval links similar to a stalk of wheat
Choker Necklaces
Choker necklaces are designed to be worn tightly around the neck and are rarely longer than 14 inches. These aren’t the stretchy, plastic accessories from your youth—when it comes to fine jewelry, choker necklaces can be made from gold chains or bands and feature gemstones for sparkle and color.
Collar Necklaces
Though they are often confused with chokers, collar necklaces are a couple of inches longer in length and are meant to sit high against the collarbone area. These designs can be extravagantly studded with brilliant diamonds or a simple chain—the options are endless.
Cross Pendant Necklaces
Cross pendant necklaces, while technically a subcategory of the pendant necklace category, are so enduringly popular that they deserve their own spot in the list. With simple chains and a wide variety of subtle metal styles, flashy gemstone-studded designs, and contemporary sideways options, cross pendant necklaces make showing off your personal relationship to your faith easy.
Dangle Necklaces
A dangle necklace, similar to dangle earrings, features free-moving decorative elements that hang down from the main chain or cord. These designs give movement to the wearer, adding a dynamic feel to any outfit.
Initial or Letter Necklaces
If you love the idea of wearing an initial on a chain around your neck, whether it’s yours or a loved one’s, you’ll adore an initial or letter necklace. These dainty designs feature a single letter pendant in the center of a chain. Available in both solid gold and gemstone-encrusted, these initials are a lovely way to honor your connection to those close to you, whether they represent someone’s last name, your children’s names, or your own!
Lariat Necklaces
Sometimes referred to as a drop or Y necklace, due to its shape, the lariat necklace does not have a traditional clasp. Instead, one end loops through a circle element or pendant, allowing for an adjustable low-hanging length that sits on or below the bust. Lariat gold necklaces can fit various necklines and be styled in a million and one ways, making them a versatile must-have for any woman’s necklace collection.
Multi-Strand Necklaces
Multi-strand necklaces consist of multiple strands all connected by a single clasp. These designs can feature colorful beads, lustrous pearls, or plain metal chains and give you the layered necklace effect with just one accessory! If you’re searching for convenience but aren’t willing to sacrifice style, investing in a multi-strand necklace will help you save time beautifying yourself for any occasion.
Pearl Necklaces
Your mother, her mother, and even her mother before that have all likely sported a classic pearl necklace. The traditional pearl necklace consists of multiple pearls strung closely together on a thread or chain and ranges in necklace length to suit any style. These are often gifted to celebrate special milestones in life, whether that be a 30th wedding anniversary or a graduation.
If the timeless strand doesn’t align with your aesthetic, you can still sport a meaningful pearl necklace. There are plenty of pendants and station necklaces to choose from, all embellished with South Sea, Tahitian, Akoya, and Freshwater pearls.
Meanings of Pearl Necklaces and Their Colors
Everyone knows the signature shine of the white pearl, but did you know pearls can be found in a wide rainbow of hues? Or that each one has its own secret symbolism attached? Find out the meaning of your colorful pearl necklace:
- White: new beginnings and purity
- Cream: calm energy and emotional healing
- Pink: self-love and success
- Black: strength and independence
- Gold: wealth and prosperity
- Blue: tranquility and courage
- Brown: healing and harmony
Pendant Necklaces
Pendant necklaces feature a decorative ornament, known as the pendant, strung on a chain or cord. Popular examples of pendant necklaces include heart-shaped lockets, crosses, initials, metal charms, zodiac signs, diamonds, pearls, or other gemstones—the list goes on! Pendant designs can be found in a wide variety of necklace lengths and are perfect as the focal point in a layered look.
Station Necklaces
A station necklace refers to a delicate chain that features gemstones or other metal adornments, “stationed” at evenly spaced points along the necklace. On its own, a diamond station necklace offers a subtle touch of elegance; when paired with other designs, it balances out larger pendants and chunky statement pieces. Talk about a versatile style!
Tennis Necklaces
You’ve heard of the iconic tennis bracelet, but did you know the same style can be found in women’s necklaces? Tennis necklaces, sometimes referred to as eternity necklaces, are made up of a continuous line of uniformly shaped gemstones from clasp to clasp. Though diamonds are the traditional choice for these brilliant designs, you can also find colorful gemstone alternatives.
Torque Necklaces
Torque necklaces have been worn since the Iron Age and were notably the inspiration for the shape of David Yurman’s iconic Cable Collection. Made by twisting strands of metal into unique forms, a torque necklace opens at the front, with some including a clasp or hinge for easy fastening. These age-old designs can feature simple cuffs of metal or be made from elaborately shaped strands.
Women’s necklaces have been, and will always be, a staple in jewelry boxes around the world. From rose gold tennis necklaces to gold necklaces with pendants, there’s a design meant for every kind of woman, outfit, and occasion. With a baseline understanding of the most popular necklace styles, shopping for your perfect fit is made simple!
