Women's necklaces: every type explained (+ which length suits you)
Which necklace suits you? Women’s necklaces differ in three ways: what hangs from them, the chain and the length. Most women wear a fine necklace of 16 to 18 inches (40–45 cm), with or without a pendant. Want more? Go for a bold link chain, a layered necklace with several strands or a long necklace over your sweater. This guide walks you through every necklace type and chain style, with a length chart in centimeters and inches and the length that looks best with each neckline.
The short answer
Everything you need to know, in four lines:
- Necklace types: pendant necklace, chain necklace, layered necklace, charm necklace, beaded and pearl necklace, choker, Y necklace (lariat) and long necklace.
- Chain types: cable, curb, figaro, box, snake, paperclip, twisted (rope), satellite and Cuban link.
- Necklace lengths: 35–40 cm (14–16 in) is a choker, 40–45 cm (16–18 in) sits on your collarbone and is the most popular length, 45–55 cm (18–22 in) falls just below it, and from 60 cm (24 in) you are wearing a long necklace.
- Not sure? Choose a fine 40 cm (16 in) necklace with a 5 cm (2 in) extender: you can wear it at any length between 16 and 18 inches.
Every necklace in this guide is made of premium stainless steel with a gold-tone or silver-tone PVD coating: waterproof and hypoallergenic. Prefer to browse right away? See all women’s necklaces, or go straight to the gold-tone necklaces or silver-tone necklaces.
What types of necklaces are there?
You can group necklaces in three ways: by what hangs from them, by the chain and by the length. Whether you want an everyday necklace or something that stands out, these are the eight necklace styles you will see most:
| Type | What is it? | Great for |
|---|---|---|
| Pendant necklace | A fine chain with one pendant: a heart, a stone or a circle | Every day, and as a gift |
| Chain necklace | The links are the jewelry, no pendant | On its own, or as the base for layering |
| Layered necklace | Two or three strands on one clasp | A layered look without tangles |
| Charm necklace | Several small charms on one chain | Personal and playful |
| Beaded and pearl necklace | Beads, pearls or faux pearls on a chain | Color and texture, or a party |
| Choker | A short necklace of 35–40 cm (14–16 in), close around your neck | Open collars, off-the-shoulder |
| Y necklace (lariat) | A chain with a vertical drop in a Y shape | V-necks; makes your neck look longer |
| Long necklace | 60 cm (24 in) or longer, falls on your chest | Turtlenecks, dresses, oversized blouses |
Below you will find what to look for in each type, with the pieces that show it best. Chokers, Y necklaces and long necklaces come back in the length chart further down.
1. The pendant necklace: one focal point
The pendant necklace is the one women wear most: a fine chain with a single pendant in the center. The pendant sets the mood. Cubic zirconia adds sparkle, a natural stone like tiger’s eye brings warm fall color, and an open circle keeps it calm and modern.
With a pendant necklace, length matters most. At 40 to 45 cm (16–18 in) the pendant sits in the hollow of your neck or on your collarbone: the classic spot. At 50 cm (20 in) it falls just below a crew neckline, lovely with a T-shirt or sweater. See every style in necklaces with a pendant; hearts, the favorite gift, are in heart necklaces.
2. The chain necklace: every chain type explained
With a chain necklace, the chain itself is the jewelry. How it looks depends on the links: their shape and how they connect. Fine chains of 1 to 3 mm are made for every day and perfect for layering. From about 5 mm, a chain necklace becomes a statement.
These are the types of necklace chains you will see most, and where to find them at Lundholm:
| Chain | How to recognize it | Look | At Lundholm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable (anchor) | Round or oval links joined at right angles | Classic and fine | Tilde, Cherie |
| Curb (gourmet) | Twisted links ground flat, so the chain lies flat | Shiny, from classic to bold | Stina, Jonna, Ariane |
| Figaro | A rhythm of short links with one long link in between | Italian classic | Not in the collection right now |
| Box chain | Small square links, like a row of tiny boxes | Clean and refined | Mette |
| Snake chain | A smooth, flexible line of tiny plates | Fluid and luxurious | Evelyn, Margaux |
| Paperclip | Elongated, open rectangular links | Modern and bold | Kerstin, Layla, Elva silver-tone |
| Twisted (rope) | Links lying diagonally over each other, like a cord | Catches the light with every move | Darcy, Siri, Noelle |
| Satellite (bead) | A fine chain with small beads spaced along it | Playful and light | Tilde, Imogen |
| Oval link | Open oval links, sometimes alternated with beads | Modern and feminine | Kajsa, Suze |
| Woven | Fine links in a woven pattern | Rich, with lots of shine | Millie |
| Cuban link | Thick, heavy curb links | Bold | Viggo (men’s) |
Shop the look
Vriden – twisted
The twisted chain as a complete look: the fine 3 mm Darcy chain necklace, twisted hoops, a rope-style bracelet and a ring with spiral relief. One texture, repeated four times: calm and rich at once.
- Darcy twisted chain necklace
- Jayla twisted hoops
- Clementine twisted link bracelet
- Lou ring with spiral relief
Find every chain style together in chain necklaces.
3. Bold necklaces: chunky, curb and paperclip
Looking for a bold necklace? Choose a heavier chain. A 5 mm curb chain lies flat and shines like a classic. A chunky chain with thick round links is bold and playful at once. And a paperclip chain with long, open links looks modern and airy.
Bold does not have to mean heavy. Wear it with a white blouse, a chunky knit or a simple T-shirt and keep your earrings small. Prefer silver tone? The Elva is a lovely paperclip chain with a round ring where you can add your own pendant.
4. The layered necklace: several strands in one
Wearing several necklaces together looks beautiful, but separate chains tangle easily. A layered necklace solves that: two or three strands in different lengths on one clasp. You put it on in one go, and the layers stay neatly apart.
Pictured
Manou – three lengths in one necklace
A twisted chain, a smooth snake chain and a fine paperclip, at 37, 40 and 43 cm (14.5, 16 and 17 in). Here you can see exactly how those lengths fall: the shortest at the base of your neck, the longest on your collarbone. With the 5 cm (2 in) extender, all layers move down together.
View the Manou →
Prefer to layer separate necklaces yourself? Keep about 5 cm (2 in) between the layers and mix a fine chain with a pendant necklace. Read how in how to layer necklaces. Ready-made sets are in layered necklaces.
5. Charm necklaces, toggles and lockets: necklaces with meaning
A charm necklace has several small charms on one chain: hearts, little suns, tiny symbols. It is personal and playful, and the charms move as you walk. Then there are necklaces where one detail carries the meaning, such as a toggle clasp worn at the front or a locket with room for two small photos.
A toggle is a small bar you pull through a ring. On the Nanna you wear that clasp at the front, with the heart hanging from it: romantic, with an edge. For a personal gift, choose a birthstone necklace or a zodiac necklace; which stone belongs to which month is explained in birthstones by month.
6. Beaded and pearl necklaces
Beads and pearls add color and texture. Large amber-colored beads are made for fall and turn a plain sweater into an outfit. A pearl necklace is the quiet classic: five small pearls for every day, or one large baroque pearl on a twisted gold-tone chain for a modern twist.
Pearls are no longer saved for weddings. Wear them with a denim shirt or a chunky knit: that contrast is what makes them feel current. Find more ideas in how to wear pearls.
Which necklace length suits you? Necklace length chart in cm and inches
The length decides where your necklace falls, and with it the whole look. Necklace length is measured end to end, including the clasp. 40 to 45 cm (16–18 in) is the most popular length for women: the necklace sits in the hollow of your neck or on your collarbone, which works with almost every neckline. Try below where each length falls with your neckline; the chart underneath shows every standard necklace size, with examples from the collection.
Necklace lengths at a glance
Where will your necklace sit?
Pick a length on the tape measure and your neckline: you’ll see right away where the necklace falls, and which Lundholm necklaces come in that length.
Length in cm
PrincessOn your collarbone, with the pendant just below: the most popular length.
With an extender
45 + 5 cm: wear it anywhere from 45 to 50 cm (18–20 in). A 40 + 5 cm necklace reaches this length at its longest.
Neckline
Looks lovely. The pendant ends 2 to 5 cm (1–2 in) above the point of your V: just right.
Color
At Lundholm in 45 cm / 18 in, gold-tone
Lengths are a guide: where a necklace sits differs from person to person (your height, neck size and build). Measure your own with a piece of string, as shown in our ring and necklace size guide.
| Length | Name | Where it falls | Great with | At Lundholm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35–40 cm 14–16 in | Choker | Close around the base of your neck | Strapless, off-the-shoulder, open collars | Mathilda (38.5 + 5 cm) |
| 40–45 cm 16–18 in | Princess | From the hollow of your neck to your collarbone | Almost everything: the most popular length | Tilde and Mette (40 + 5 cm), Luv and Emilia (40 + 5 cm), Talia (45 + 5 cm) |
| 45–55 cm 18–22 in | Matinee | Just below your collarbone | Crew necks, T-shirts, shirts; second layer when layering | Nanna (48 cm), Mera (50 + 5 cm) |
| 60–90 cm 24–35 in | Opera (long) | On or below your breastbone | Turtlenecks, high necks, plain dresses | Ava (85 + 5 cm) |
| 90 cm and up 35 in and up | Rope (extra long) | Down to your midriff; can also be worn doubled | Over a sweater or dress, or doubled as a layered look | Dahlia (95 + 5 cm) |
Many Lundholm necklaces come with a 5 cm (2 in) extender, some with 7 cm. So a 40 + 5 cm necklace can be worn at 40 cm, at 45 cm and anywhere in between. A Y necklace such as the Ellinor sits at two heights: the chain on your collarbone, the drop a few centimeters lower. Your build matters too: the same necklace sits a little higher on a wider neck or chest and a little lower on a slender neck. Torn between two sizes? Choose the shorter one with an extender; you can always make it longer.
Which necklace for which neckline and occasion?
Your neckline decides which length looks best. The rule of thumb: don’t let your necklace sit exactly on the edge of your clothes, but clearly above or below it.
| Neckline | Which necklace? | Length |
|---|---|---|
| V-neck | A pendant or Y necklace ending 2 to 5 cm (1–2 in) above the point of the V | 40–45 cm / 16–18 in (deep V: 45–50 cm / 18–20 in) |
| Crew neck | A pendant that falls just below the neckline | 50 cm / 20 in |
| Turtleneck or high neck | A long necklace over the fabric | 80–90 cm / 31–35 in |
| Open-collar blouse | A chain that sits in the opening | 40–50 cm / 16–20 in |
| Boat neck | A fine necklace with a small pendant on your collarbone | 45 cm / 18 in |
| Strapless or off-the-shoulder | A choker or two fine layers at the base of your neck | 38–42 cm / 15–16.5 in |
Every neckline in detail, with examples: which necklace for which neckline.
And by occasion?
- Every day and at the officeA fine necklace with a small pendant, or a box chain at 40–45 cm (16–18 in).
- Bold and casualA curb, paperclip or chunky chain with a sweater or denim shirt.
- Parties and dinnersCubic zirconia, pearls or a layered necklace with some shine. Tips: jewelry with an evening gown.
- WeddingsFaux pearls or a fine cubic zirconia pendant. More in jewelry for wedding guests.
- Fall and turtlenecksA long necklace or amber-colored beads over your sweater.
- GiftsA heart, birthstone or zodiac sign: a necklace with meaning. Find inspiration in our gift shop.
Gold or silver?
Above all, choose the metal you already wear most; then your new necklace goes straight with your rings, earrings and watch. Not sure? Look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they look greenish, gold often suits you best; if they are blue or purple, silver often looks fresher. See both? Then everything suits you. Read more in gold or silver: which suits me better?
You don’t have to choose, either: mixing gold and silver is very much in style. Read how in mixing gold and silver jewelry, or browse the gold-tone necklaces and silver-tone necklaces.
Shop the look
Lagom – just enough
The Mette box chain with small beads, sculptural drop earrings, a fine link bracelet and a wavy ring. All four come in silver and gold tone, so you can wear this look in the metal that suits you.
- Mette box chain with beads
- Mirthe drop earrings
- Ellen link bracelet
- Elia wave ring
Why stainless steel?
Every necklace in this guide is made of premium stainless steel with a gold-tone or silver-tone PVD coating. They are waterproof, so showering, swimming and working out are no problem; read more about waterproof jewelry. And they are hypoallergenic: suitable for most people with sensitive skin. Only necklaces with pearls or faux pearls should come off before they get wet.
To keep your necklace looking its best: put it on after your perfume and body lotion have soaked in, wipe it now and then with a soft, dry cloth, and store your necklaces separately so they don’t tangle. Why one necklace tarnishes and another doesn’t is explained in why does my necklace tarnish?
Shipping and gift wrapping
Order on a working day before 3 pm and we ship your necklace the same day. Delivery times and shipping costs for your country are on our shipping page. Every necklace leaves in a luxury gift box, and when you order from our own webshop you always get a free gift bag too. With larger orders, our gift ladder adds free gifts as well, different every month. Looking for a present? Try the Gift Finder.
Frequently asked questions about women’s necklaces
What types of necklaces are there?
The best-known types of women’s necklaces are the pendant necklace, chain necklace, layered necklace, charm necklace, beaded and pearl necklace, choker, Y necklace and long necklace. They differ in what hangs from them, in the chain and in the length.
What is the most popular necklace length for women?
40 to 45 cm (16 to 18 inches) is the most popular length. The necklace then sits in the hollow of your neck or on your collarbone, which suits almost every neckline. With a 5 cm (2 inch) extender, a 40 cm necklace can also be worn at 45 cm.
How do I measure the necklace length I need?
Place a piece of string around your neck and let it fall where you want the necklace to sit. Mark that point, lay the string flat and measure it with a ruler. You can also measure a necklace that already fits you well: measure end to end, including the clasp.
What are the different types of necklace chains?
The best-known chain types are cable, curb (gourmet), figaro, box, snake, paperclip, twisted (rope), satellite and Cuban link. Fine chains of 1 to 3 mm are for every day; from about 5 mm a chain necklace becomes a statement.
How long is a choker?
A choker is 35 to 40 cm (14 to 16 inches) long and sits close around the base of your neck. To be sure, measure your neck: a choker feels comfortable when it is 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 inches) longer than your neck size. An extender lets you set it just right.
Which necklace goes with a V-neck or a turtleneck?
With a V-neck, choose a pendant or Y necklace that ends 2 to 5 cm above the point of the V, usually 40 to 45 cm (16 to 18 inches). Over a turtleneck, wear a long necklace of 80 to 90 cm (31 to 35 inches) that falls over the fabric.
What is a bold necklace for women?
A bold necklace has a heavier chain: a 5 mm curb chain, a paperclip chain or a chunky link chain. Wear it on its own or with one fine necklace, and keep the rest of your jewelry simple.
Can you wear a stainless steel necklace in the shower?
Yes. Necklaces made of premium stainless steel with a PVD coating are waterproof, so showering, swimming and working out are no problem. Only take off necklaces with pearls or faux pearls before they get wet.
Which necklace makes a good gift for a woman?
A fine pendant necklace of 40 to 45 cm (16 to 18 inches) with an extender suits almost everyone. A heart, birthstone or zodiac sign makes it personal. When you order from our own webshop, a free gift bag is always included.
Find your necklace
Discover all Lundholm necklaces for women: waterproof, hypoallergenic and always in a luxury gift box.
