In the dazzling and elegant world of gold jewellery, people often mistake and interchange the terms “necklace” and “pendant” despite the two being very distinct pieces of fashion accessories. A necklace refers to a chain or a band one wears specifically on the neck, while a pendant is a decorative piece that hangs from the necklace; essentially, the pendant is part of a necklace.
Each of these pieces has its charm and function when worn separately, but combining them would elevate your look to a whole new level! This article will shine a light on the differences between a gold necklace and a pendant, which will guide your journey in personalising your jewellery collection for your different occasions.
What is a Necklace?
A necklace is an accessory that encircles your neck, usually with the same design throughout the whole chain. A necklace contains the following parts: a chain or cord, a clasp or fastener (to keep the necklace in place), and optional embellishments like pendants. A necklace does not necessarily have to be a stand-alone chain; it may also feature decorative items that interrupt the chain but are still part of it. As long as the decorative items – like beads – are not independently dangling from the chain, that jewellery piece is still considered a necklace.
Types of Necklace Chains
Beaded Chain
A beaded necklace chain features small, round or oval-shaped gemstones or precious metals for beads that are threaded together on the chain, not separately from it. The beads are evenly spaced out or can be closely connected, like pearl necklaces. Beaded chain necklaces are perfect for casual and dressy occasions and can be worn on their own for minimalist expression or layered with other necklaces for a more diverse style.
Box Chain
A box chain comprises a series of small square links that create a uniform geometric fashion. Sometimes dubbed the “Venetian chain”, this chain is made using a flattened round wire that forms into a series of small boxes. Box chain necklaces can be worn alone, and the various thicknesses make them versatile pieces, giving you the leverage to wear them for a minimalist yet chic touch. The box chain is also known for its sturdiness and, thus, is a popular choice for pendant necklaces.
Cable Chain
A cable chain is considered a classic as it is the most popular chain style used for necklaces, typically pendant necklaces. The cable chain features a uniform pattern of round or oval links that resemble a metal cable. Due to its simplicity, you can style it solo for an elegant look or layer it with other styles and lengths of necklace chains for more glamour.
Flat Cobra Chain
A flat cobra necklace chain appears like a snake’s body, but as the name suggests, it is flat – due to closely connected links that result in a sleek and smooth surface. It is a flexible chain both in its movement and its styling. Its modern and polished look makes it best styled alone, but it can also look vogue with a delicate pendant in the middle of the chain, everyday looks and evening wear.
Fishbone Chain
A fishbone chain is composed of flat, slanted links that imitate the pattern of a fishbone. The surface of a fishbone chain usually appears shiny, making it a bold and captivating piece of jewellery that is ideally worn alone to shine the spotlight on its intricate design. Fishbone necklaces work best as a statement piece for formal events and as part of a chic, modern wardrobe.
Rope Chain
As its name implies, the rope necklace chain features two twisted strands of precious metal that resemble a rope; known for its versatility, it suits styles that appear graceful when worn alone as a scene-stealer or with a pendant for enhanced elegance.
You may typically find rope chains in one of two unique variations. The barrel rope chain is a bulkier and thicker option due to its big twists that resemble the shape of barrels. It exudes an air of luxury and is often worn independently as a statement piece.
You also have the lighter hollow rope chain, which features rope-like twists crafted with hollow links. Styling them alone is perfect if you want to go glam while adding a pendant can create a unique look that complements your casual or semi-formal wardrobe.
Types of Necklace Length
Choker length
This necklace style sits closely around your neck at a length of 14 to 16 inches, falling perfectly between the collarbones. Given their reasonable lengths, you can effortlessly pair choker-length necklaces with dresses and tops featuring plunging necklines, off-shoulder, or tube tops. The choker or collar length helps accentuate long, slender necks and exudes a classic, chic vibe for evening wear and more modern, casual styles.
Princess length
Think of the Princess length as a variant of the choker length, going up to 18 to 20 inches long. It is the most common necklace length and is perfect for any neckline, falling just below the base of the neck or centre of the upper chest. Their versatility in styling makes them pieces that can be worn independently or paired nicely with a matching pendant to elevate your casual or formal outfits.
Matinee length
Also known as the medium-length necklace, Matinee necklaces are about 20 to 24 inches long and sit just above the bust and are ideal accessories to pair with tops with higher necklines like turtlenecks or even plunged V-necklines for a more alluring fashion. Generally, this necklace chain length is excellent for formal and semi-formal wear and can be worn as an independent chain or layered to simply highlight its luxury.
Opera length
Opera-length necklaces are 28 to 34 inches long and sit below the bust, usually at the mid-chest area. This length necklace epitomises elegance and sophistication, typically a statement piece that completes a formal evening dress. You can style a single chain attached to a dazzling pendant or layer it with shorter chains.
Rope length
A rope necklace measures 36 to 42 inches and is known simply as a very long necklace. These luxurious rope necklaces fall around the waist or midsection of your torso and are worn best during formal evening dinners. If you do not feel like letting it cascade that far, you can wrap the chain around your neck twice for a layered look; otherwise, leaving it can have you looking like a total diva when paired with high-neck blouses and gowns.
Types of Gold Necklace Materials
Solid Gold
Solid gold necklaces are made entirely of gold without base metals, making them the most expensive type among other materials. However, using pure gold, which is 24-karat, solely is unsuitable for making jewellery as it is soft and at risk of bending and scratching.
Pure gold is typically mixed with another precious metal or a non-metal to form an alloy to improve its overall durability, making it an ideal choice for everyday wear; silver, copper, and tungsten are just a few alloys used to strengthen gold jewellery. As a result, it also reflects in its karat weight: a 22-karat gold necklace, for example, comprises 22 parts gold and two parts alloy.
The lower the jewellery’s gold karat weight, the less expensive the necklace, as a smaller gold composition is used in its making. You will typically see 18-karat and 22-karat gold necklaces recommended for everyday wear, thanks to their impressive durability.
Gold-Plated
Gold-plated necklaces use base metals like copper or silver, which are then plated with a thin layer of gold at 0.5% or less of gold content. Due to its use of very little pure gold, it is the cheapest option for a gold necklace, but it is also more susceptible to tarnishing. You should only wear gold-plated jewellery occasionally and be mindful of liquids and chemicals, such as sweat and perfume, that can easily tarnish your necklace.
While you can re-plate the necklace if you find that the gold has rubbed off, most people would generally avoid gold-plated necklaces since their gold content is only at the surface level. However, if you are on a tight budget, a gold-plated necklace can still serve an essential role with proper long-term maintenance.
Gold Vermeil
This type refers to pieces that use sterling silver as a base metal and have a 2.5-micron thick layer of gold plating covering it. A gold vermeil necklace can last much longer than gold-plated ones, although the gold may wear off over time if the necklace is not kept in air-tight bags, as sterling silver is still susceptible to tarnishing. Nevertheless, a gold vermeil necklace promises quality and luxury at affordable prices.
Gold-Filled
A gold-filled necklace contains 5% solid gold that bonds to a base metal such as brass or bronze. Compared to gold-plated and gold vermeiled necklaces, gold-filled ones have up to 100 times more gold, making them more durable, waterproof, and tarnish-resistant. Gold-filled pieces of jewellery also have the same properties as solid gold but are a more affordable option that will not have you break the bank!
What is a Pendant?
A pendant is a small piece of jewellery that hangs onto a chain by a bail — the small ring you weave in the chain through — be it a necklace, an anklet, or a bracelet chain. Because a pendant is solely the ornament that goes onto a chain, you have plenty of flexibility to mix and match your pendant on a wide variety of chains and paired with other pendants or other pieces of jewellery, making a unique composition that can serve as a statement piece, whether about your personality, your creative side, or anything else you fancy.
Pendants come in many shapes and sizes, crafted from a varied selection of precious materials such as gold, platinum, and silver, and even striking, resilient choices like palladium and titanium. It is also common to find pendants surrounded by these precious metals or adorned with other beautiful materials, especially gemstones like diamonds.
Types of Pendants
Amulet
An amulet is believed to contain spiritual powers, thus acting as protectors that keep the wearer safe against danger, evil, and harm. Amulet pendants commonly use durable materials such as gold and silver, but they may also feature gemstones (both natural and lab-made) that are plated with precious metals.
Charm
Charm pendants are small trinkets that come in various shapes, such as hearts, butterflies, flowers, and many other designs that may include personalised name charms or even flat shapes with engravings. You can often find them made of gold or colourful enamel-coated metals with the occasional bits of diamonds, gemstones, and pearls that help to beautify the charm. You can feature a single charm on a necklace chain or have multiple charms to express your creativity and unique style.
Talisman
A talisman pendant is usually made of precious metal and typically symbolises a cultural or religious hallmark meant to bring good luck to its wearer. Many legends tell how these talismans can imbue magical powers to the wearer and attract fame, fortune, or other positive aspects one may wish for while also helping to ward off evil spirits and protect the wearer from harm.
Key Differences between Gold Necklace and Pendant
So, what makes a gold necklace different from a pendant? While both are independent jewellery pieces, the key difference lies in their respective functions. A necklace can only be worn on the neck and not on any other body part, with or without additional accessories. On the other hand, a pendant is a small and somewhat complementary item that can be worn on any part of your body—as long as it is attached to a chain, such as necklace chains, anklets, or bracelets. Pendants are usually the pièce de résistance of an accessory, for instance, dangling at the centre of the necklace chain.
Aside from pendants, necklaces can also be accompanied by other decorative items like beads, crystals, and gemstones, which may also be part of the necklace chain itself. Although a gold necklace and a pendant can be donned as two separate accessories, they create a personalised display of elegance when paired together, completing your outfit for casual days or high-end dinners.
How to Choose a Gold Necklace with Pendants
Now that you know the difference between the two jewellery pieces, here are some tips to help you choose the best way to style a gold necklace chain with suitable pendants.
Consider the Neckline of your Outfit
The first step before choosing which necklace to wear is to consider the neckline of your outfit. Layering several long chains or having one accessorised with a big statement pendant is ideal for V-neckline dresses, especially plunged ones. On the other hand, clothes with high necklines, such as collared or square styles, look best with shorter chains and dainty pendants. Using the neckline of your outfit as a guide to customising the length of the chain and the size and colour of your pendant is vital to achieving fashion harmony.
Choose the Chain you Desire
The length and type of the necklace chain are essential as they influence your necklace's overall look and how it completes your outfit. Shorter chains, if you wear them alone, are ideal for chokers, but you can also layer them with minimalist-designed chains. Longer chains look better on plain clothing with a high neckline, such as turtlenecks or off-shoulder tops with bold necks.
Look at the Pendant Design
The pendant on a necklace is the star of the show. Since pendants come in various designs and styles, choosing one that best represents your fashion aesthetic is probably the best option. If you are a chic city girl, simple yet modern designs may be your choice, but you can never go wrong with traditional and timeless designs featuring a brilliant red ruby pendant surrounded by diamonds. In short, just choose a pendant that captures your eye and soul!
What is the Occasion?
You should remember this tip: dress for the occasion. A simple and dainty pendant necklace can be worn for casual outings and daily wear, while jewellery pieces with bolder and more intricate designs for both the chain and pendant are best adorned at formal occasions and special events to give you a boost of luxury and class.
Purchase Exquisite Gold Necklaces and Pendants at Merlin Goldsmith
So, there you have it: a necklace is the foundation for your jewellery adornment, while a pendant adds a little more flair to an otherwise simple chain. Whatever you plan to achieve with your fashionable look, knowing how to add a gold necklace and a pendant to your fashion lineup can help you make creative decisions to plan out your next OOTD appearance.
Are you looking for a necklace or pendant to help add some charm to your look? Merlin Goldsmith is here to assist you with a wide selection of finely crafted 916 gold necklaces and pendants from our jewellery store that will leave you mesmerised. With years of experience in the industry, we aspire to be Singapore's No. 1 gold jewellery store. We welcome you to our store to admire our luxurious collection and pick out your favourites for your everyday wear.