How to buy a necklace

The necklace is one of the oldest forms of jewelry, tracing its origins to early man who used to hang bones and animal claws around their necks on strips of leather.

Modern necklaces are manufactured in a wide variety of designs and styles. In the jewelry trade necklaces are generally divided into the following styles:

	Diamond and gemstone necklaces made from precious metals which have diamonds and sometimes gemstones, fixed to the necklace. The necklace will lie flat around the neck and shoulders when properly fitted.
	Pendant necklaces which consist of a removable pendant hanging from a chain. The pendant may be a solid metal design or it may contain diamonds and gemstones. Pendant necklaces will also lie flat around the neck and shoulders when properly fitted.
	Chains which are made from individual links or precious metal and may be narrow or wide, flat or round.
	Chokers which are very short necklaces made to fit around the neck and which do not lie flat around the neck and shoulders. Chokers are generally manufactured quite wide and may feature two or more rows of gems or pearls.
	Pearl necklaces are made in two basic styles. The first is called a uniform necklace and is strung with pearls of nearly equal size. The second is called a graduated necklace and is strung with pearls of gradually increasing size, with the smallest pearls near the clasp and the largest at the center. Uniform and graduated pearl necklaces come in different lengths and have specific names: Choker - 14 to 16 inches long Princess - 17 to 19 inches long Matinee - 20 to 24 inches long Opera - 28 to 34 inches long Rope - 45 inches and longer

If the woman in your life does not wear jewelry very often and you want to surprise her with a fine jewelry gift, your safest option is to buy her a necklace or pendant.

But...

Before choosing any style or size of necklace, please consider the following chart which is a general guide for buying necklaces:

	Oval Face	Round Face	Rectangular Face	Triangular Face
Petite Women (Under 5'4" - 162cm)	Look for any shape necklace that comes to a "V" that is collar-length or longer.	Look for long necklaces, 28" to 32" (71cm to 81cm).	Look for 16" or 18" (40cm to 48cm) necklaces that end in a "U". Chokers look good if the neck is long.	A choker necklace looks good because it softens and seems to reduce the sharp angle of the chin.
Average Women (5'4" to 5'7" - 162cm to 170cm)	Look for necklaces of any length unless she is full-figured. In that case, she should avoid necklaces which rest on the breast line.	Look for long necklaces, 28" to 32" (71cm to 81cm) unless she is full-figured. In that case, she should avoid necklaces which rest on the breast line.	Look for 16" or 18" (40cm to 48cm) necklaces that end in a "U". Chokers look good if the neck is long.	A choker necklace looks good because it softens and seems to reduce the sharp angle of the chin.
Tall Women (Over 5'7" - 170cm)	Look for necklaces of any length made of stones or pearls of the same size. Thin tall woman look good in chokers.	Look for long necklaces, 28" to 32" (71cm to 81cm) made of stones or pearls of the same size.	Look for 16" or 18" (40cm to 48cm) necklaces made of stones or pearls of the same size that end in a "U". Chokers look good if the neck is long.	A choker necklace looks good because it softens and seems to reduce the sharp angle of the chin.
NB - This chart is only a guide to buying necklaces, there are no firm rules of right or wrong jewelry choices. It's all a matter of personal style and choice.

Featured online jewelry stores

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