Your Guide to Necklace Designs & Why We Love Gold Pendants for Summer

by Nancy Plante June 29, 2018 2 Comments

Your Guide to Necklace Designs & Why We Love Gold Pendants for Summer

Necklaces are important jewelry pieces that can make your look. From pendants and chains to gemstones and lockets, there is a variety of necklace designs and sizes. Not only are necklaces a decoration for the body, but they also serve as communication pieces. They have the power to express your identity, religious beliefs, and culture.

Necklaces have a very long history. In fact, they may have been one of the earliest types of jewelry worn by human beings. Early cultures made simple necklaces from bone beads, teeth, or shells. In ancient Egypt, the upper class wore collars ornamented with glass and pottery beads. The ancient Greeks made gold necklaces ornamented with animals shapes or fringe-detailed pendants. They also wore long gold chain necklaces with cameos and little perfume containers. Another early necklace was the torque, an ancient Celtic piece made of twisted metal.

In the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, jewelry became an especially important of material culture. Necklaces became the primary form of jewelry worn. They were very ornate with pendants, gemstones, and heavy gold chains. Necklaces were a sign of prestige and wealth during this period and throughout following centuries. In the late 20th century, they were designed to be both trendy and fashionable while meeting varying levels of affordability.

Today, necklaces symbolize personal taste, devotion, and fashion sense. From dainty and detailed to ornate and stunning, there are many different types of necklaces to choose from. The following are the top eight different necklaces types and the best ways to wear them.

Necklace Designs and How to Wear Them

Chain necklace - These are made from gold or silver. In thin, simple styles, chain necklaces are usually worn with a pendant. If the chain has detail or is chunky, it looks pretty worn alone. Thin styles are usually short, and longer chains will be thicker and more visible.

Collar necklace - This necklace design is described as a rigid or softly shaped necklace that fits closely at your neck. Sometimes it is open at the back. Fit is very important with a collar necklace. If one style doesn't sit just right on you, try several different ones to find the perfect collar.

Long necklace - These necklaces are easy to wear because if they are 24 inches or longer, you can slip them over your head without using the clasp. Many necklaces and chains have an adjustment feature that allows you to wear it at different lengths. A long 24- to 32-inch necklace can be layered with a shorter necklace or pendant. A longer necklace can give your figure an equally long, flattering look.

Lariat necklace - A lariat is a very long look similar to a rope, sometimes tied at the front. It can be worn draped around the neck multiple times, and the ends can be looped or knotted.

Long and short pendant necklaces - It can be fun to see how your pendant looks on a long or short chain. Generally, a precious pendant like a diamond or gemstone will be worn shorter at your throat, and a pendant worn very long will be more of a fashion piece. But, of course, you can wear it any way you want. Layering two pendants on different-length chains can create a pretty effect.

Locket necklace - Lockets are small pendants that are worn as sentimental pieces. They are made to hold mementos such as little pictures or portraits. Lockets are classic, and can offer a trendy look depending on how you wear them. Whether you have a photo inside or not, swing a locket on a long chain and cluster it with a charm or two to update the look.

Religious necklace - Religious pendants have devotional, ornamental, and protective meanings. They are commonly worn on a short chain to rest on your skin. Like lockets, they can be worn clustered with other pieces for more of a fashion vibe.

Statement necklace - Statement necklaces are fun and can be coordinated with your dress or top. Just check in the mirror to be sure your earrings aren't competing for attention! Sometimes the statement necklace needs a bold earring to balance it, but other times all you need is one bold statement piece. Try a different pair of earrings to see what looks best. Choose a color, type of metal, or gemstone to tie the earrings to the necklace without being too "matchy."

Why We Love Gold Pendants for Summer

Gold pendants remain a classic necklace style that looks good on every woman and fits most everyone's lifestyle. This summer, gold pendants remain a hot necklace jewelry trend.

The following are reasons why we love gold pendants:

  • They’re easy and fun to layer with other necklaces.
  • Their minimal design makes them a good choice for any occasion. Gold pendants are a stylish beach-to-party piece.
  • Gold pendants can be versatile in style to match your modern, vintage, or whimsical style for the day.
  • They add a fresh glimmer of gold to a t-shirt or a blouse with a plunging neckline.

Here are some tips for fashionably wearing gold pendants in the summer:

  • Very simple designs are trending. Wear one or two together on the same chain, or two on different-length chains.
  • It's best to keep your gold jewelry out of chlorinated pools.
  • Yellow gold (or metal with the look of yellow gold) is popular because its rich color adds a great dimension to your clothing and summer tan.
  • Small gold studs or hoops keep the same simple look going.
  • Wear your gold pendant on your skin, with a short chain, and over your top. It's a summery look, and the short, delicate chain is fashionable now.

Plante Jewelers offers a wide selection of jewelry necklaces and pendants to fit your lifestyle. Visit our jewelry store in Swansea to check out our collections, or create your own personalized necklace designs.





Nancy Plante
Nancy Plante

Author


2 Responses

Nancy Plante
Nancy Plante

June 25, 2020

The gold-filled necklace with the little turquoise drops? I can get you one! Please contact me at nplante@plantejewelers.com.

Dee Moss
Dee Moss

June 25, 2020

Where can i get that first necklace you showed?

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in Blog

The Making Of A Ring
The Making Of A Ring

by Nancy Plante August 16, 2023

Wax Carving
Wax Carving

by Nancy Plante June 01, 2023

Past And Present
Past And Present

by Nancy Plante March 16, 2023