May 18, 2021
The length of neck chains is one of the most controversial and discussed issues in the jewelry market. Supporters of classical etiquette advocate a strict style; designers, on the contrary, experiment, creating original images. Universal gold jewelry sometimes ceases to be something banal if you choose it wisely and combine it with other products that are quite capable of adding individuality to a woman or man.
Now we will tell you what length of neck chains is acceptable for each style, what is considered the optimal size, and how the choice is influenced by a person’s physique.
How to determine the length of the chain?
Unlike gold bracelets, where you need to know your size in advance or do mathematical calculations, with chains everything is much simpler. You can find out the required length using available tools that can be found in every home:
- First, measure the circumference of your neck in the clavicular area. You can use sewing tape or thread, which you will then attach to the ruler.
- Take into account the minimum overlap of 5-8 centimeters - this is the length the jewelry should be larger in order to fit freely on the body.
If you already have a chain that is comfortable to wear, you can measure it in a similar way and order a new product, based on the known numbers, without fear of making a mistake.
Tips on how to choose the chain size yourself
If you are purchasing jewelry for yourself, we advise you to determine the length of the chain before going to the store. To do this you need:
- Wrap a thread or string around your neck.
- Fix the desired length in the position in which you plan to wear the jewelry.
- Measure the resulting segment on a ruler.
- Round the result to the nearest 5 centimeters.
The resulting figure will be the required length of the neck chain. Don’t forget to try on the product in the store – it won’t hurt!
And if you are buying an item as a gift, the age of the future owner will help determine how long the chain should be. Young girls will want short jewelry that will highlight their graceful neck. Determining the size of a neck chain for an older woman is even easier: you need to choose medium or long options that focus attention on the chest and décolleté.
How to choose the length of a chain for a woman?
Women's jewelry, unlike men's, delights with a wide variety of styles, originality of execution, as well as the ability to combine chains with an incredible number of bright pendants and pendants. Nevertheless, certain wearing rules still exist - depending on the desired image, they can be strict or advisory.
Each manufacturer has the right to its own gradation of sizes, but most indicate it in centimeters or inches, as can be clearly seen in the table:
Cm | Inches | Who it suits/what it looks like |
35 | 14 | For petite young ladies with a thin build, athletes, anyone who prefers a body-worn format of wearing products. |
40 | 16 | Fits tightly around the base of the neck, not reaching the collarbones. An option for formal blouses with a classic V-shaped collar, fastened with all buttons. |
45 | 18 | Slightly elongated, depending on height, it can lie on the collarbones or be at the same level with them. Recommended for crosses, icons and other religious accessories. |
50 | 20 | Traditional style for dresses, sundresses and tops with a neckline of moderate depth. The pendant is located no more than 5-6 cm below the line of the collarbones. |
55 | 22 | Maximum body length, designed for an evening look and a deep neckline. Reaches chest level, focusing the attention of others on the advantages of the figure. |
60 | 24 | This size and larger are strictly intended to be worn over clothing, from turtleneck turtlenecks to designer suits. |
It is not forbidden to wear two chains of different lengths, but you should remember the dress code of the place where you are going. In an office work format, this style is unacceptable, but with meetings or holidays there are no restrictions - the lady is free to choose a unique image.
Additional selection options
Clasp
Even the strongest chain can be lost if it has a bad lock. The fastener should be reliable and not cause inconvenience when fastening/unfastening. We present the most common options.
- Springelny . They are used to equip elegant jewelry that does not exceed a weight of 5 g . It is important that the ring connecting the latch to the decoration is sealed.
- Carbine. It works clearly with a characteristic click due to the spring built inside.
- Clock mechanism . Very reliable, provides a strong connection. Moreover, it allows you to adjust the length of the decoration within 1 cm.
- Box lock . They are equipped with massive products weighing over 20 g. Very durable due to wire fuses.
Volume
The wearability of a chain also depends on its volume. Many people choose hollow products because they are cheaper. But they are significantly inferior in quality to solid ones. Thus, they are more susceptible to deformation, and if broken, they are more difficult to restore.
If you pay attention to all of the above parameters, you will definitely purchase a women's gold chain that will delight you for a long time.
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How to choose the length of a chain for a man’s neck?
Men's neck jewelry received a slightly different gradation of sizes. They are slightly larger, but the weaving styles significantly limit the possible wearing options:
Cm | Inches | Who it suits/what it looks like |
45 | 18 | Young people of short stature and thin build. As a rule, the length corresponds to the circumference of a classic neckline on a sports T-shirt. |
50 | 20 | The chain freely covers the base of the neck, without touching the collarbones. It is clearly visible with the top button undone if you are wearing a shirt without a tie. |
60 | 24 | Option for body crosses or pendants. Reaches a third of the chest with an even posture. |
70 | 28 | Similar to size 60, but for men with a height of 185 cm and above. |
75-80 | 30-32 | The so-called hip-hop style, when the end of the chain is below the middle of the chest. Such a specific decoration is worn only on top of clothing. |
Choosing a chain for a man can also be difficult because it is necessary to take into account the body composition and proportions of the figure. For example, a stocky build, even with an average height of up to 175 cm, requires longer jewelry than a short, slender guy.
Weaving type.
The type of weaving determines the strength of the structure and resistance to deformation and twisting. For example, omega and herringbone chains are more susceptible to twisting and tangling.
Another problem may be the possibility of the chain ruining clothes and collars. For example, a “snake” can become very tangled in a knot and get caught on clothing.
The next important thing is how thick the chain should be. Not only preferences depend on this, but also the ability to additionally wear a pendant or cross.
To put a beautiful and large piece of jewelry on a chain, you need to make sure that it can withstand such weight. The most optimal choice of weaving is the “box” and “spikelet” chains.
They are quite flexible and durable. You can also choose such types of weaving as “figaro”, “anchor”, “rope”, “sea” and others.
What lengths of chains are there for children?
Today, none of the jewelry manufacturers officially offers children's neck chains - in each case, parents individually select the jewelry:
- For preschool children, the “lower” women's size 35 is suitable. Most likely, it will sit slightly below the recommended norm.
- Teenagers 12-14 years old can already try a length of 40 centimeters. Remember that at this age most children experience a sharp jump in growth and changing body composition in both directions, so, just in case, select a product with a reserve.
As for the cross chain for a baptized child, you should choose the loosest possible options in order to accustom him to daily wearing. The “butt” size will provoke discomfort and the risk of breaking the links if the child is overly active.
Rules for choosing chains by length
There are several aspects to choosing a chain length:
- tastes and preferences of the future owner;
- desired image;
- the opportunity to emphasize the beauty of the neck or visually lengthen it.
How to choose the thickness of the chain?
The length of the jewelry chain is half the battle; the thickness parameters must also correspond to the chosen style or intended pendant:
- Ideally, a gold pendant should be twice as light, so as not to deform the thinnest links over time with frequent wear.
- For religious amulets (crosses, icons, etc.), chains that are too thick are bad manners that do not correspond to the Orthodox canon.
If the link thickness is more than 3 mm, according to etiquette standards, the pendant cannot be worn.
How to wear a women's gold chain?
A competent and attractive accent on the neck is the key to successfully creating a sophisticated and stylish look. Women's beautiful gold chains will best cope with the task. Previously, jewelry made from expensive metals was worn for celebrations, with dresses and skirts, but current fashion considers this type of accessory acceptable for everyday wear. If combined skillfully, it can even be worn with sneakers. Create a variety of variations using pendants or pendants that best suit your chosen clothing style.
A women's gold chain with a cross is in some way an intimate body jewelry. Clergymen allow it to be worn with other accessories, but on separate chains. Due to its versatility, it is relevant to any outfit and does not cause any controversy regarding acceptable or unacceptable combinations in clothing. The main thing is to stick to the combination of metals and other jewelry materials with each other.
Neck chains from the Line of Love online store
Our online catalog offers a huge selection of jewelry that is easy to choose not only by size or thickness, but also by specifying the weaving style:
- Double diamond;
- Bismarck;
- Singapore;
- Anchor;
- Bril;
- Armored;
- Corda;
- Snake;
- Python;
- Ear;
- Byzantium;
- Garibaldi;
- Love;
- Nonna.
Do not forget that all jewelry made of silver or 585 gold requires constant care. Make sure that you always have cleaning products at home - special solutions, wipes, etc., so that the product will serve for a long time, without dulling and delighting with an exquisite shine.
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The most beautiful weaving of a gold chain for a woman
When choosing jewelry, not only quality indicators play a role, but also the aesthetic side of the issue. Women's gold chain weaves come in a variety of varieties. Let's highlight the main ones:
- Love
is often chosen by young girls. This chain consists of flat small links that resemble hearts. Its light openwork weaving emphasizes the tenderness and romance of nature. - Rose
- made entirely by hand. The appearance of the finished products is so stunning that it does not require any additions such as pendants or pendants. These women's gold chains are absolutely self-sufficient. - Armored
is one of the most popular. The links are firmly connected to each other and do not twist or turn out when worn. - Anchor
- previously in great demand among men. But over time, women also turned their attention to him. These chains are among the most reliable and easy to care for. - Figaro
is a type of armor weave. It consists of an alternation of round and oval links. Women's gold chains made using this technique are suitable for ambitious, charismatic ladies. They can be worn with a pendant or as an independent decoration. - Rhombus
is a classic and is considered the most universal. It is suitable for women of any age. Such chains can be single, double or triple. The pattern gives the product elegance and uniqueness.
What chain thickness should I choose?
You should not rely solely on the “like/dislike” principle when choosing the thickness of the chain. The thickness of the jewelry varies from 2 to 20 mm - from the thinnest to solid, massive chains.
- 2-3 mm. Thin, almost weightless jewelry that should not be worn with pendants - they are not designed for that. Exceptions are possible: there are miniature pendants for thin chains. Just remember that ideally the weight of the pendant should be no more than 50% of the weight of the chain. Such products are suitable for children, teenagers, and thin, short men.
- 4-5 mm. These are chains of medium thickness, the most common and practical. Pendants, pendants, and crosses are put on such products. Jewelry of this thickness is universal and will suit almost every person.
- 6-20 mm. Products of this thickness are considered massive and are worn as solo jewelry. As a rule, they have large links and voluminous weaving. We recommend choosing thick chains for men of large build.
Women's chain width
Each lady sets the thickness of the accessory at her own discretion, focusing on the tendency to be overweight, age, and shape of clothing. The thinnest snakes are suitable for a teenage girl or a young girl . Their scale should not exceed 3 mm. They look beautiful on a graceful girl's neck.
The classic version - up to 5 mm - suits women of all ages without exception. They are usually worn with pendants, pendants, and other details.
Chains of 6 mm or more are very rare on sale. This attribute is often made to special order; it does not require additional decor. Plump ladies wear such jewelry with pleasure, as they make the figure more slender and elegant.
Remember! The younger and slimmer the lady, the more attractive a thin, elegant chain will look on her.