How To Select Necklaces

Purchasing a necklace is a tough decision. There are so many styles, shapes, sizes and gemstones to choose from, it can seem like a decision you will never be able to make by yourself. This is compounded if you are going to be purchasing a necklace for someone else.

It's best to take on this decision in levels of Style, Stone and Fit:

Style

What should the necklace look like? Do you want something that is only going to be worn once or twice for a special event, or should this be an everyday piece?

Now you have to decide on the kind of necklace you want, do you want a simple chain with a solitaire pendant? A Drop? A chandelier pendant? Or a necklace with designer chain?

If you want a necklace that is ready for everyday wear, you should probably stick with a solitaire pendant or a simple drop pendant. These are pieces that can be jostled around a bit and not be damaged.

Chandelier pendants are a little dressier, but still easy to wear and not too over--flashy, if you are careful to get one without too much sparkle. These have a 'chandelier' piece made of precious metal that usually has a number of gemstone drops hanging from it.

Stone

Color can be everything, or nothing at all, when it comes to jewelry selection.

If you want a necklace that can go with anything you want to wear, you may have to relegate yourself to the categories or pearls, diamonds and cubic zirconias.

But if you want to add a little flash of color to your wardrobe through the jewelry you wear, there are a variety of gemstones on the market to choose from. From the purple of amethyst, yellow of citrine, red of garnet and the green of peridot, there is a rainbow of colors available to choose from for your next necklace.

Often the deciding factor is making sure it's a color that you wear a lot, or will go well with many of the things you like to wear.

Fit

There are three general lengths to choose in necklaces.

• 
  Choker -- This necklace is generally 16 inches or shorter and is a snug fit around the neck. Its meant to accent the neckline.
• 
  Princess -- An 18 inch necklace is called a princess length necklace and is meant to hang just over the collarbone. This is the most common length in necklaces.
• 
  Opera -- Long and showy is the goal of an opera length necklace. These necklaces are meant to drape down the neck and chest and are usually 24 inches in length.

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