The short answer: layer necklaces by stepping the lengths about 5 to 8 centimetres apart, mixing one fine chain with one that has a pendant, and keeping to one or two metals. Start with the shortest necklace and add longer ones below it.
Layering lets you build a personal look that changes day to day. A few simple rules make it easier.
Choose your lengths
| Layer | Typical length |
|---|---|
| Short | About 40 to 45 centimetres |
| Middle | About 50 centimetres |
| Long | About 55 to 60 centimetres |
These are guides, and where a chain sits depends on your neck and frame. Tell us the lengths you have in mind and we talk through what suits your design. Our pendant necklace length guide shows where each length usually falls.
A quick way to test lengths at home
Take a piece of string or a thin ribbon, cut it to each length you are considering, and lay it round your neck in front of a mirror. Mark where a pendant would sit. It takes a few minutes and shows clearly whether the lengths are far enough apart, before anything is made.
Vary the weight
Mix a fine chain with a chain with a small pendant, and perhaps one slightly heavier link for contrast. Too many similar chains can tangle and blur.
Chain styles that layer well
- Trace or cable: a simple, fine link that suits the shortest layer.
- Box chain: sits neatly and resists kinking, good for a pendant.
- Curb: lies flat and adds a little weight to a longer layer.
- Paperclip: long, open links that give a modern contrast.
Metals
- Stick to one metal for a clean look.
- Mix yellow and white gold deliberately if you want contrast.
- Rose gold blends well with yellow gold.
Neckline
A V neck suits layers that follow the shape. A crew neck suits shorter layers. A high neck suits one longer necklace. Our guide to choosing a necklace for your neckline goes into more detail.
Pendants in a stack
Give one necklace the pendant and keep the others plain, so the eye has somewhere to settle. If you wear two pendants, make one larger and one smaller, and place the larger one on the longer chain so they do not overlap.
Building over time
Start with one pendant you love and add pieces over the years. A bespoke pendant can be the anchor. Browse diamonds for ideas.
Keep them from tangling
- Fasten each necklace before you put on the next.
- Use different link styles.
- Store them separately.
Clasps and how they sit
Clasps tend to travel round to the front when chains move. A slightly heavier pendant helps keep each layer in place, and a lobster clasp is easier to fasten behind your neck than a small spring ring. Some people use a layering clasp, which holds several chains apart at the back; ask us if you would like one designed to match.
Bespoke
We can design pendants and chains to layer together, in lengths that suit you. Nothing is made until you approve the design in writing, and our standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, which can vary with your location and how busy we are. Pieces start from £600.
See bespoke pendants, chain lengths and thickness and engraving ideas for pendants.
Frequently asked questions
How many necklaces is too many? Three is a comfortable number for most.
Can I layer different metals? Yes, with a clear plan.
Can I wear them every day? Yes, with care.
Why does my clasp move to the front? Chains shift as you move; a slightly heavier pendant helps keep them in place.
Can I order from overseas? Yes, by video consultation, with insured, tracked FedEx delivery.