Education/Choosing your jewellery
Necklace Length Guide
The short answer
What necklace length should you choose?
Most people choose 45cm (18"), which sits on the collarbone and suits nearly every neckline. Choose 40cm (16") for a pendant that sits high at the base of the neck, or 50cm (20") and 55cm (22") for a lower, more relaxed drop. Every Amarii pendant and necklace is offered in all four lengths.
How does each length sit?
Where a chain falls depends on the neck and frame of the person wearing it. These are the typical positions on an adult neck.
| Length | Where it sits | Best with |
|---|---|---|
| 40cm (16") | At the base of the neck, just above the collarbone | Open necklines, crew necks, a petite frame |
| 45cm (18") | On the collarbone | Almost everything; the most popular length for a pendant |
| 50cm (20") | A little below the collarbone | V necks and collared shirts, or a fuller neck |
| 55cm (22") | At or just above the neckline of most tops | Higher necklines and layering over a shorter chain |
How do you measure at home?
01
Use a necklace you already love
Take a chain that sits where you like it, open the clasp and lay it flat in a straight line. Measure it end to end in centimetres and choose the nearest length from the table above.
02
Use a piece of string
Drape a length of string around your neck and let it fall to where you want the pendant to sit. Mark the point where the two ends meet, lay it flat and measure it. String does not stretch the way a tape can be pulled, so it gives an honest reading.
03
Check it in a mirror
Hold the string in place in front of a mirror with the top you wear most often. If it disappears under the neckline, go shorter; if it crowds the base of the neck, go longer.
Does the pendant change the length?
A pendant hangs a little below the point where the chain meets, so the stone always sits slightly lower than the chain length alone suggests. A larger stone or a taller setting hangs a touch lower again. If you are deciding between two lengths for a pendant, the shorter one is usually the safer choice.
How do you layer necklaces?
Leave about 5cm between each chain so they sit apart rather than tangling. A 40cm and a 45cm chain, or a 45cm and a 50cm chain, are easy pairings, with the pendant on the shorter of the two.
Buying it as a gift?
If you are not sure, choose 45cm. It sits on the collarbone on most people and works with the widest range of necklines. If you would like help, book a video consultation and we will talk it through with you before you order.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular necklace length?
45cm (18"). It sits on the collarbone and suits most necklines and frames.
Which length is best for a solitaire pendant?
40cm or 45cm. A solitaire is at its best close to the collarbone, where it catches the light and stays visible above most necklines.
How do I measure my necklace length?
Measure a necklace you already wear end to end with the clasp open, or drape a piece of string to where you want the pendant to sit and measure the string.
I am between two lengths. Which should I choose?
For a pendant, choose the shorter length, because the pendant itself hangs a little below the chain.
Where should you go next?
Made for you, made to be worn
Made to be yours
Talk it through with us. A private video consultation covers your diamond, setting and budget, with no obligation.
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