Necklaces
10 Types of Gold Necklace Chain Designs For Men And Women
Choosing the right gold necklace might sound easy – after all, you know your taste! But when you come right down to it, when you step into the brilliant world of jewelry, you might find yourself a bit unprepared. There is more to think about than materials and pendants – there is the type of chain.
There are so many types of gold chains you can choose from, each emanating a different kind of statement. If you are truly prepared, you’ll avoid any possible regrets in the future! Here are just some of the chain types you should keep in mind before coming to the nearest jewelry store and making your decision:
Herringbone chains
This particular chain is perfect for your casual daytime outfit or in an office setting. A sequence of flat, short, and parallel links in an offset pattern make up the style and substance of this chain. By itself, the design is unusual enough to be a conversation piece, but discrete enough to put just a dash of style into you outfit.
Suitable for both men and women, this kind of chain is best worn on its own – without a pendant. Since a herringbone necklace lies flat on your skin, there really is no need to burden it with precious stones!
Box chains
Consisting of blocks, rather than circular links, these chains also lie flat on your skin, not unlike herringbone. However, the look, feel, and the statement it gives is quite different. Its square links provide a feeling of sophistication, no matter how you wear them.
Women can opt for a smaller sized box links with a pendant, or quite the opposite – a thicker design that serves well as a statement piece. While thicker chains are a popular choice when it comes to men, remember – you can and should wear anything you like, jewelry included.
Anchor chains
The most classical and most stunning choice of all necklace chain styles, anchor chains can elevate your look, no matter the details of your outfit, to a high level of elegance and sophistication. The chain’s links are oval, with a vertical bar in the center of each link.
Also called mariner chains, all necklaces of this type are designed to reference the type of chains used to attach an anchor to a boat. This style comes in many variations – flat, puffy, delicate, or heavy – so all you need to do is pick the one that matches the statement you want to make. If you want to emphasize the chain itself, go for a more robust design. If, however, you want just a touch of gold, opt for a simpler, more delicate chain.
Bead chains
Among many different types of gold chains, the bead chin is possibly most attractive to men – at least, in its smallest form as dog tags. This chain can be worn with a pendant, whether it’s an ersatz dog tag, or a medallion of some sort.
Beads are present in a variety of types of jewelry chain. They can be close or far apart, small or large, so you have extensive options. Statement pieces can, of course, be large beads, or a beaded chain necklace that combines not only golden beads, but also beads imbued with other precious stones. Truly the choice is yours!
Byzantine chains
The rarest and most powerful among necklace chains types is certainly the Byzantine chain. Each link in the chain passes through four other, so it gives off a look or a rope and even imitates its texture. This necklace is luxurious, supple and flexible all at once.
Such a bold piece is a perfect choice for both men and women who want to impress. Its imperious design gives off confidence from whoever wears it, so it’ll have the most impact if you wear it on its own.
Cuban chain
Among necklace chain types, this one is often referred to as Miami Cuban. This is the type of chain you often see looped around rappers’ necks. No matter its size, this chain is ornate, chunky and imposing in appearance.
The slightly flattened and close set links can be, as with any other neck chain type, as large or as small as you want it. A timeless statement piece, though mostly preferred by men, can also be comfortably worn by women. While men might opt for a chunkier design, women for whom this is the first time experimenting with Cuban chains can choose smaller millimeter links and combine it with almost all outfits in their closet.
Snake chain
A snake chain is true to its name – it almost looks like a snake! Metal links – curvy and round – attach to form a very flexible, sleek chain of a smooth and shiny texture. Often adorned with slide pendant, snake chains are an elegant and sophisticated choice for both men and women.
Since it’s both very strong and very durable, this kind of necklace is perfect for every style. You can wear it with a discrete pendant or opt for a heavier one. However, if you’re in the mood for a more sleek look, you can always wear this chain on its own!
Figaro chain
A Figaro chain is special in the world of necklaces. Unlike others, which feature links equal in size and shape, these chains consist of a pattern of repeating links. Mostly, they have one longer link, sometimes rectangular, which is followed by a succession of smaller oval or round links. This pattern repeats, making the end result a unique and intricate necklace.
Figaro chains are a good choice for men and women who want something more interesting than a simple cable chain, but aren’t in the mood for such an ornate piece as a Byzantine chain. You can wear it on its own for a more elegant look, or combine it with a pendant if you want to make a bolder statement.
Wheat chains
Flat and twisted oval links are braided together to form a deliciously unique wheat chain. Just like the name says, this kind of a necklace has the appearance of the head of a mature wheat stalk. Often called spiga, this chain is durable and quite sturdy, so you can wear it with pendants. However, its unique look also shines when worn on its own.
Large wheat chains are always a good choice for men, while women can opt for the same style, or go for a slimmer, more discreet necklace. No matter who wears it, the result is a classic, timeless look – elegant, sophisticated, confident, and demanding attention.
Rope chains
One of the most durable and heaviest of chain types, rope chains are designed so that they look precisely like rope. Metal segments are connected together in a twisting pattern, so the chain really does look like its namesake. Such a pattern also reflect light from various angles, which makes these necklaces all the more impressive!
You can wear the more delicate designs with a pendant, while the heavier, larger rope chains are perfect for wearing on its own as statement pieces.
No matter your taste, style or occasion, there’s a good necklace chain for everyone. Now that you know how to navigate the sometimes overwhelming world of necklace chains, you can, make the best decision! Drop by one of our stores – you can freely try on and explore the jewelry you’re interested in and find that one perfect piece!
Necklaces
Choosing The Right Necklace Length – Charts For Men And Women
Whether you like bold or discreet, a long metal chain or a rugged leather one, choosing a necklace is no easy task. Even if you know exactly what necklace you want – the style, the materials, the design – choosing the length can prove to be the trickiest part of it all.
Too long, too short, uncomfortable or not really what you had in mind – all these problems can be solved by taking a look at our necklace lengths chart. This way, you’ll be able to make the right choice and avoid the hassle of going to the shop to shorten or lengthen your chain.
Men’s necklace lengths
When it comes to men, the necklace chain lengths are a bit more limited than women’s. Men’s necklaces can range from 18inch to 30ich pieces, while the most common sizing range from an 18 inch to a 24 inch. What’s important to consider here is personal style, preferences, and what you want to achieve with a statement piece such as a necklace.
Most men’s necklaces emphasize the materials they’re made from and are designed in such a way to look older, like family heirlooms, more rugged and generally more robust. Unlike women’s jewelry, men’s jewelry is most commonly made for everyday use – meaning, never to be taken off, even when in the shower or swimming in the ocean.
Start with your height and face shape
Surprisingly, height can play a role in what necklace suits you best. If you are around 5’ 4’’, you should focus on shorter necklaces (such as the 18 inch). This ensures you don’t look weighed down by your necklace. However, if your body type is more bulky and developed, you might want to opt for a necklace that’ll sit a bit more loosely around your neck.
Since necklaces naturally draw the attention to the face, your necklace can influence the way your face appears, If you have an oval-shaped face, you don’t have to worry – everything will look good on you! Rectangular-shaped faces work best with a 10-14 inch necklace, while a round shape is most suited to a 26 to 36 inch chain. In case you have a heart-shaped face, you fall right in the middle – a 10 to 16 inch necklace will work best.
18 inches
This type of necklace sits high at the neck, usually just below Adam’s apple or at the base of the neck. It’s best suited for crew neck shirts, where the necklace can clearly accent your style.
These choker-style necklaces can be worn with anything, excepting a suit and tie. Wearing a necklace this short works best when it peeks above a low collar.
20 inches
Among all necklace lengths, the 20 inch is by far the most ubiquitous when it comes to men’s jewelry. This typically falls near the collarbone and can be worn both inside or outside the shirt. In case you want a pendant on your chain, this length may not be the best choice. The mid-size chain can look awkward with any sort of pendant – the precious piece will always end up half or completely covered by your clothes
Women’s necklace lengths
Women’s necklaces offer greater variety when it comes to lengths – they even have their own names! They range from a 10 inch choker all the way to 40 inch plus statement pieces. As with any piece of jewelry, you should first follow your gut and personal style, and then turn to the mechanics of how the piece accentuates your features.
Believe it or not, the perfect length of your necklace will depend on your height and face shape. Here, we’ll be focusing on those criteria. But if you want more info on which necklace goes with which neckline.
10-16 inches: Chokers and Collars
For women, chokers will look best on women with long and slim necks. Perfect for those with square, oblong and oval face-shapes, these types of necklaces can be worn in both a casual or a more formal style. If you’re around 5’ 4’’ or under, necklaces on the shorter side of the spectrum will work much better – they won’t dominate your entire frame.
A 16 inch collar will sit much more loosely, around the base your neck, and is perfect for any ‘long’ face shape (oval, heart, and diamond) – in fact, round face-shapes are the best match for
18-20 inches: Princess
The standard lengths among women’s necklaces, the Princess sits right around the collarbone. Flattering on any woman, you can dress this necklace up or down, depending on your outfits and moods! Since this length is flattering on any face and body type, it’s the perfect length to choose if you want to surprise a woman in your life with a piece of jewelry.
20-24 inches: Matinee
Starting at 20 inches, these types of necklaces are bolder accents to your style. Sitting just below your collarbone and reaching the center of the bust, the matinee necklaces are perfect for showing off a pendant, whether it’s a locket, a precious jewel, or anything else. Suited for both petite and fuller body types, the matinee is a perfect piece to add some flair to your style.
30-34 inches: Opera
Hanging just below the bust, opera length necklaces will serve taller women best. Anyone shorter than around about 5’ 7’’ might find that necklaces longer than about 20 inches overwhelm the frame. When it comes, to face-shapes, the heart-shaped may find that this length hardens the face.
45 inches: Lariat or Rope
The main difference between a lariat and a rope is the clasp – rope typically doesn’t have one. These types of necklaces usually feature a knot and are typically beads or pearls. Hanging far below the bust, lariats and ropes are best suited to oval-shaped faces and taller frames. But don’t let that stop you! Necklaces of these lengths are perfect for layering, so you can mix and match until you reach the perfect balance between the statement you want to make and the way the jewelry accentuates your features!
Among the many lengths of necklaces, choose what works best for you – even if it breaks some of the common “rules.” The most important thing is that you love your jewelry and feel amazing when wearing it. We can offer you a rich assortment of necklaces – from discrete to bold – and a vast array of pendants. Drop by one of our Miami jewelry stores – that perfect piece of jewelry is waiting for you!
Necklaces
How to Make Your Own Necklace?
What better way to spend your time than to explore your creative self? It’s a perfect way to relieve stress, get back in touch with yourself, and make something beautiful in the process! One way to unleash your creativity is to design your own necklace!
Design, materials, tools, and time are the only four things you’ll really need to make your own necklace.
If you think that you have no ideas for a design, that’s okay! Just get as many beads, stones, pendants, charms, and chains as you like and play with them. You may come across a few false starts, but in the end, we promise you’ll surprise yourself. But, let’s start from the beginning – what tools do you need?
Tools for making your own necklace
Before you start, you’ll need to know what kind of tools you’ll need to make a necklace. Depending on the kind of necklace you want to make, the tools you’ll need might vary. However, we’re sure you’ll need at least some (if not all) of these:
- Writing and measuring tools – a pencil, ruler, and some paper go a long way when you’re designing and measuring!
- Pliers – you may be surprised why you’ll need a pair of pliers, but the truth is – they really are the best tool to open, close, and manipulate rings and clasps.
- Wire Cutters – if you’ll be working with metal, you need a way to cut it, and wire cutters are the best tool for the job.
- Jump rings and clasps – you’ll use these to connect, close, and attach all the pieces of your necklace.
Choose the right materials
It goes without saying that you’ll also need all the materials you want your necklace to be made of. Gold or silver chains of various lengths and widths will give you options when testing out what works best, while beads, charms, and other precious stones can be the centerpiece. You can check out some of our pendants or charms if you want style, quality, and timelessness!
Designing your creation
When it comes to any creative work, the idea you have in your head can change the moment you start working on it. This is not a bad thing – on the contrary, it’s most often the best part of being creative! The idea you start with can evolve and change, and bring you to a final product that is beyond your wildest dreams.
If you find yourself drifting away from what you originally planned to do, go with it! We do, however, suggest that you make notes on measurements. Draw what you have in mind and include measurements – this way, you’ll know how much material you’ll need. If you want to take it up a notch and go more professional, you can use some of the 3D modeling tools which will help you “see” the finished product.
There’s a shortcut
If you want to create a necklace, but you don’t have the time to do it, or maybe you’re absolutely in love with your design but it’s too complex for you at this moment, you can always turn to a team of jewelry designers for some extra help.
Many jewelers are more than happy to make their customers’ dreams come true, and we are no different! We can help you bring your design to life. All you need to do is to come to us with an idea, and we’ll make sure you get the highest quality jewelry in return.
Are you ready to create a necklace from your dreams? Drop by one of our custom jewelry store in Miami for supplies, or get in touch with our designers!
Necklaces
Stacking and Layering Necklaces Tips
You may have heard of stacking necklaces. You may have even seen the trend: a multitude of necklaces expertly wrapped around the neck, their chains looped and shimmering, dripping down the body in a such a way that you can’t help but think about the divine elegance of Hollywood famous goddesses and divas.
This style choice brings a whole new dimension to your outfit and overall look. And don’t worry – you don’t need any kind of spell or special talent to pull it off! All you need is some layering necklaces tips and tricks.
To avoid tangling – layer your chains properly
While stacking rings or bracelets is a piece of cake, layering necklaces comes with one big problem – they tangle. The chains tangling can lead to knots, annoyance, disappointment, and even cause damage to your jewelry.
To avoid tangling, make sure you put your necklaces in a certain order – and that’s not by their length! Start with the thinnest chains, and then layer the thicker chains over them. If you put a thinner chain over a thicker one, chances are they will end up tangled.
Make a statement
Elegant or boho, chic or adorably messy – there are so many styles and statements you can make by stacking necklaces, so many that it’s important to decide what you’re going for before putting your necklaces on.
An example of an edgy look is a choker paired with a link chain necklace, while a great example of a more classy look is the combination of a gem necklace paired with a choker. The choice is yours!
Don’t be afraid to tighten your necklaces
A multitude of chokers can look gorgeous, so don’t worry about having to get longer pieces just so you could master the layering trend! Tightly wrapped necklaces are particularly great for stacking because there’s less chance of a tangle.
Use different lengths
To achieve a jaw-dropping look with your jewelry, make sure you use necklaces of different lengths. Pick a long necklace you want to accentuate and add shorter ones to complement it. Another good tip is to start with a chocker – adding longer necklaces will result in a chic and polished look while also preventing tangles!
Play with weight
When it comes to layering and stacking, you can achieve the perfect balance by mixing not only the length of your chains but also their weight. To do this, choose weightier necklaces to include in your look – these can be ones with a chunky chain, pendants, or stones.
When worn, your necklaces should be 1 to 2 fingers apart. The weightier necklaces will lay flat and be apart from the lighter ones. If you choose chains without pendants, make sure your necklaces vary in thickness.
Materials are there to be mixed
The old fashion rule to never mix different materials is long gone and already forgotten. You’ll achieve that head-turning look with your stylishness if you do mix materials when stacking and layering your jewelry!
Pearls and chains, metal and leather, velvet and silver – stacking necklaces of various materials together will add depth and dimension to your style. When mixing materials, make sure one necklace doesn’t dominate another. What matters is that they look harmonious when layered together.
However, the most important rule when stacking and layering necklaces is to have fun while doing it! Stacking and layering is a great trend that invites you to look at your jewelry collection from a new perspective and figure out new ways of wearing it.
Maybe you have an old, long beaded necklace you haven’t worn for years – well, this is a great chance to dust it off and pair it with two of your favorite new necklaces! And if you notice you’re missing that crucial piece, we at Santayana can offer you unique jewelry pieces, and even custom designed – drop by one of our Miami jewelry stores and make your pick!
Fashion Life, Necklaces
What Necklace to Wear with What Neckline?
A good necklace can make or break an outfit – but which one should you choose?
Knowing how necklaces for different necklines work can be your perfect shortcut to an outfit that wows!
You can match the necklace with your outfit by colors, motifs, design, length, or put it on just because you feel like it, and then… And then, something seems off. The necklace might not suit the outfit after all, despite the gorgeous pendant and the shimmer it makes in the sun.
The problem might be that the necklace doesn’t compliment the neckline of your outfit. Fortunately, that’s easy to solve!
Here are our recommendations on what types of necklaces to wear with what necklines:
V-neck
With V-necks, the necklaces that work best are the ones that compliment it. While a V-neck can be shallow, deep, narrow, or wide, the necklace that suits it best will be the one to compliment the V shape. For a more casual look, try a shorter necklace. If you want to go out and dazzle, pair your V-neck with a longer Y-shaped necklace.
What’s good to avoid are statement pieces or chokers – they’ll only shorten the neckline.
Button down
If you want to spice up your office button down (or button up) shirt, there’s no better way to do it than with a necklace. If you prefer to button up your shirt, almost any necklace can work – though a short statement necklace that spreads right under the collar can look fantastic. If you want something more discrete, opt for a delicate necklace – for example, a sleek strand necklace.
Strapless
With strapless dresses and necklines, the best choice is a shorter necklace. A chocker, collar, or other short necklaces will pair perfectly – any necklace that leaves some space between it and the neckline is a good choice.
Try to avoid very long and thick necklaces – these distract more than accentuate your neckline.
Scoop
A scoop neckline is accentuated best with some layer and volume to your necklace. This can be one broad necklace, or you can wear multiple necklaces – a multitude of strands, beads, and pendants can make your outfit pop. For a more subdued look, you can pick simple chains, with hanging pendants or lockets.
Crew neck
The necklaces best for crew necks are short – bibs or collars. The round, close-fitting neckline can also be matched with longer necklaces, chockers that follow the neckline itself, or even statement pieces that fall over the top of the neckline.
Since the crew neck is very common, feel free to experiment! If you find that you don’t like how the bib sits, you can always pick one of the other options.
Boat neck
A boat neck neckline (a wide neckline that runs across the collarbones) is not commonly found in daytime outfits. These necklines are typically more elegant, so the necklace you choose should lean to the elegant side. Long, simple necklaces are the way to go if you want to keep your boat neck elegant.
Statement necklaces can clash with this type of dress, so try to avoid them.
There you have it – one list for a quick and easy way to choose the best necklace for your neckline! Whether you’re going out, or putting any old thing on, a necklace that complements your neckline can add that little extra to your outfit.
Do you already have a necklace in mind? Check out our jewelry stores in Miami, FL and we’ll make sure you find the right fit!
Santayana Jewelry Store Coral Gables
