The measurements of the necklaces are determined based on the length of the chain. While there are some standard lengths, you should take your measurements and similar factors into consideration when choosing the right size for you.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Measure the Length of the Chain
Step 1. Undo the chain and lay it flat
Measuring a necklace essentially means measuring the chain. If you want to measure the chain, you have to open it and stretch it as much as possible.
Step 2. Measure the length with a ruler or tape measure
Stretch the tape measure from one end of the chain to the other and note the length. This is the commercial length of the necklace.
- Do not include the clip in the measurement. The chain is the only part that should be measured.
- For the same reasons, do not include the length of any charms or pendants.
Method 2 of 4: The Standard Lengths
Step 1. Learn the standard lengths for women
Standard necklaces for women have five basic sizes. For most women these measures fall the same way.
- The choker is 38 to 42 cm long, usually 40 cm.
- The princess necklace is 45 cm, but the length can vary from 43 to 50 cm. This measurement usually reaches the collarbone.
- The matinee necklace is 50 cm long, and usually comes a little below the collarbone.
- If you need a chain that falls on the neckline or just above, choose a 55cm chain.
- For a chain that falls just below the neckline, choose a 60cm chain.
Step 2. Learn the standard lengths for men
Standard necklaces for men have four basic sizes. Like women's necklaces, men's necklaces usually fall for everyone equally.
- Men with a thinner neck can opt for a 18 '' chain. This length should fall at the base of the neck.
- The most common length for the average man is 50 cm, which reaches the shoulder blade.
- Choose a 55cm chain if you want it to come just below the shoulder blade.
- For a chain that reaches just above the breastbone, take a 60 cm chain.
Step 3. Children's sizes have different standards
Most children's necklaces can only range from 35 to 40cm.
Method 3 of 4: Measure the Right Necklace for You
Step 1. Measure your neck
Your neck size is probably the most important one you need to know in order to choose the right length for your necklace. A necklace will fall lower on a thin neck and higher on a person with a thicker neck.
- Wrap a tape measure around your neck, keeping the tape measure parallel to the floor as you measure.
- Add 5 to 10 cm to your neck measurement to calculate the minimum chain length. This will prevent the necklace from being too tight.
- If you want a choker, though, you can stick to the exact neck size instead of adding extra inches.
- If you cannot customize the necklace for your neck length, simply choose the larger size than your minimum neck length. For example, if you are a woman with a neck measuring 43cm, your minimum standard would be 50cm instead of 45cm.
Step 2. Measure your height
In addition to the length of your neck, your height can affect the position of the necklace around your neck. Long necklaces can overwhelm short women, and short necklaces get lost on tall women.
- If your height is less than 162cm stick to a length between 40 and 50cm for the necklace.
- For women with a height between 162 and 170 cm, all lengths will do.
- Women taller than 170 cm are better off with longer necklaces.
Step 3. Choose a length that fits your physique
Just as different clothes highlight different parts of the body, necklaces of different sizes do the same.
- If you want to enhance the breasts, choose a necklace that highlights the area between the collarbone and the breasts. Usually necklaces 50 to 55 cm long do.
- If you have flatter and less noticeable breasts, thin necklaces around 55cm long tend to look elegant.
- Chubby women should avoid necklaces that rest on the breasts or go even lower, because these chains don't fall well. Instead, prefer necklaces that measure approximately 45 cm.
Step 4. Balance the length with the face shape
Necklaces can make the face appear wider, narrower, longer or shorter based on its natural shape. Different lengths can therefore flatten some face shapes better than others.
- A choker measuring between 25 and 40 cm can help soften the pointed corner of the chin in women with a heart-shaped face. This tactic also works well for those with rectangular or oblong faces.
- Women with a round face should avoid short necklaces, as they tend to make them look even more round. Longer necklaces, between 66 and 91 cm, stretch the chin better.
- Any size should work if you have an oval face.
Method 4 of 4: Additional Considerations
Step 1. Match the length of the necklace to the occasion and the clothes
Jewelery should complement clothing, and clothing is usually chosen based on the occasion. The right size necklace for a casual blouse may not be suitable for a formal evening dress.
- As a general rule, longer necklaces go best with dresses with a higher neckline, such as a turtleneck. Shorter necklaces are usually better suited to a formal style, especially if the chain is short enough to fit above the neckline.
- For men, most necklaces should rest on the collarbone when worn together with a shirt with a wide neckline. Necklaces with a pendant or a pendant should still be a little longer.
Step 2. Double if necessary
Many necklaces these days are much longer than the standard sizes. Very long necklaces will need to be wrapped around the neck two, three or even four times.
- A 71 to 86 cm long necklace that falls on the breast or lower usually goes around the neck twice.
- A necklace measuring 101 cm or more usually reaches or exceeds the navel, and you may have to wrap it around the neck two or three times.
- If a necklace measures 122 cm or more, it will be wrapped around the neck three or four times.
Step 3. Opt for shorter measurements when choosing pearl necklaces
Under almost any circumstance, a string of pearls should be neither tight nor long. The ideal fit would allow the necklace to fall just above the collarbone or just below the choker.
If you want to wear pearls for a less formal occasion, however, very long strands measuring up to 255 cm are also fine. For such long necklaces, wrap the thread around the neck three or four times so that the pearls do not go further down the abdomen
Step 4. Consider the effect of pendants and charms
Pendants can change the length and overall weight of the necklace. You should take them into consideration when measuring the right length.
- Measure the length of the pendant. When the pendant is placed on a chain of known length, the length of the pendant will be added to that of the chain. In other words, if you have a 5cm pendant on a 45cm necklace, the necklace will come 5cm below the collarbone.
- In particular, heavy pendants can pull down further, as the weight of the pendant will stretch the chain around the neck.
Step 5. Consider closing
The length of the clasp is not taken into account when the manufacturer measures the necklace. While most clasps don't make a substantial difference in the location of the necklace around the neck, this detail is worth noting.
