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The Best Necklaces for Women

Chiociolla/Shutterstock.com
🕚 Updated December 2022

Wearing a necklace is a lovely embellishment to an outfit, and for some, it's a way to hold a memory or a person close. For years, necklaces have been a timeless and classic gift to give and receive. Here are some we recommend.

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  Best Initial Pendant Best Simple Design Best Premium Best Chain Best Layered Necklace
 
  Trendsmax
Initial Letter Pendant
Kendra Scott
Elisa Pendant Necklace for Women
Swarovski
Women's Infinity Crystal
Aobei Pearl
18K Gold Paperclip Chain Necklace
M MOOHAM
Dainty Layered Initial Necklace
 
Our SummaryA gold-plated monogrammed necklace.Wear your birthstone on this simple dainty gold chain.An exclusive necklace with sparkling crystals and rose gold coloring.This 18K gold-plated necklace boasts a unique paperclip chain design that will have you turning heads.Keep it sweet and sentimental with this gorgeous necklace adorned with an initial charm.
Pros✓ Initial gold pendant
✓ Stainless steel box chain
✓ Lead/nickel-free
✓ Hypoallergenic
✓ Great for daily wear
✓ Customized stones
✓ Comes with 2-inch extender
✓ 14K gold-plated
✓ Swarovski brand
✓ Amazon exclusive
✓ Rose gold-plated chain
✓ Single crystal
✓ 16-inch paperclip-like chain
✓ Lobster clasp and a 2-inch extender
✓ Nickel- and lead-free
✓ Wear it solo or layered
✓ 18-inch and 14-inch necklaces
✓ 2-inch extenders
✓ 14K gold-plated hypoallergenic brass
✓ Hexagonal charm with initial on one side and engraved heart on other
Cons✗ Appears more yellow than gold
✗ Chain is lower quality
✗ Colors are not accurate to what is pictured online✗ More expensive
✗ Tighter around the neck
✗ Small and low-quality clasp✗ Gold coloring is not accurate
✗ Low-quality clasp
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The Best Necklaces for Women

A woman wearing necklaces and a white button-up shirt.
Chiociolla/Shutterstock.com

Buying Guide for Necklaces for Women

A sapphire necklace on a woman's neck.
1jewelry/Shutterstock.com

Why buy a necklace?

Wearing a necklace is a great way to accessorize your outfit. Whether it’s a simple piece or a statement necklace, this piece of jewelry can dress up your daily wardrobe or tie an outfit together. Necklaces also make great gifts for women of various ages.

What should you look for in a necklace?

  • Chain Length: Consider how long the chain is to determine where it will rest. Some women like short choker-style necklaces, others like long ones that fall near the sternum, and many prefer a standard collarbone length in between, usually around 18 inches.
  • Material: Determine the quality of the material of the necklace—higher-quality metals will last longer. Also, consider if it is hypoallergenic/nickel-free for sensitive skin.
  • Design: Choose a design that matches the personality of the wearer/recipient. Whether they love pearls, gold, diamonds, or silver, you can find a great necklace for anyone.

How should you style a necklace?

If you’re wearing a sweater, high-cut blouse, or turtleneck, you can place your necklace over the collar. If you’re wearing something with a scoop neck or low neckline, necklace layers add a great focal point to your outfit. Many women wear necklaces with every outfit, as the style options are abundant to go with various necklines, levels of formality, and clothing styles.

Our Picks for the Best Necklaces for Women

Best Initial Pendant

Trendsmax Initial Letter Pendant

A gold-plated monogrammed necklace.

Pros: Monogrammed jewelry (including initials) continues to be on-trend and shows no signs of stopping. If you want something that’s more unisex in nature, you’ll appreciate the bold initial pendant paired with a 22-inch box link chain. This option is perfect for gifting, and all letters of the alphabet are available.

Cons: While the brand claims this is a gold-plated product, a lack of details regarding actual karat value leads us to believe that this is most likely not real gold (even of the plated variety).

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a fun, trendy piece of jewelry to add to your collection, this is a great accent to incorporate into your jewelry box. It isn’t the highest quality, but it’s a nice affordable pick that will look great with many outfits.

 

Best Simple Design

Pros: Simple doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice sophistication—and that’s especially true for the Elisa pendant necklace from Kendra Scott. Each birthstone is customized and unique yet is understated enough to wear every day. It measures 15 inches and comes with a 2-inch necklace extender, making it perfect for layering. The 14K gold plating ensures a long-lasting finish.

Cons: The colors of the stones may appear differently than what is pictured online.

Bottom Line: A birthstone necklace is a classic, timeless piece that’s personal and can serve as a beautiful reminder of a loved one. This one, in particular, sets your stone against a stunning gold chain that can make any outfit extra special.

 

Best Premium

SWAROVSKI Women's Infinity Crystal Jewelry Collections, Rhodium & Rose Gold Tone Finish

An exclusive necklace with sparkling crystals and rose gold coloring.

Pros: Swarovski is known for its high-quality jewelry and crystals, and this necklace is no exception. This Amazon-exclusive necklace has a rose gold chain that slides through a sparkling stone-studded infinity loop. A single brilliant heart-shaped Swarovski crystal is at the end of the chain for a lovely finishing touch. To help it last, please remove the necklace before contact with water, lotion, perfume, or essential oils.

Cons: This isn’t the best choice if you’re looking for a longer necklace, as the chain doesn’t extend. It’s also on the expensive side.

Bottom Line: This necklace is great for almost any occasion, as it can be dressed up or dressed down. While the price is higher, you get terrific craftsmanship.

 

Best Chain

Aobei Pearl 18K Gold Paperclip Chain Necklace

This 18K gold-plated necklace boasts a unique paperclip chain design that will have you turning heads.

Pros: This classic 16-inch chain necklace puts a spin on a basic look with its paperclip-like chain design and oval beads. The solid 18K gold piece has a lobster clasp and a 2-inch extender, so it can be adjusted to a maximum of 18 inches if needed. The material is nickel- and lead-free, making this an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin. Wear it solo for a minimal look, or layer it with other necklaces.

Cons: The clasp is small and not very durable, so you’ll need to take extra caution when putting it on.

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a chic piece of jewelry, look no further than this gold-chained necklace. Its unique design will make you stand out whether you’re in a t-shirt and jeans or a black dress.

 

Best Layered Necklace

M MOOHAM Dainty Layered Initial Necklace

Keep it sweet and sentimental with this gorgeous necklace adorned with an initial charm.

Pros: Stay thoughtful and personal with this necklace with your (or your loved one’s) initial. This stunning gold paperclip chain necklace with the initial charm measures 18 inches and comes with a similar necklace to layer at 14 inches, each coming with a 2-inch extension. Both are made of 14K gold-plated brass material that is hypoallergenic. The hexagonal charm has the initial on one side and an engraved heart on the other side.

Cons: The gold coloring may seem off, and the clasp is not the most durable over time.

Bottom Line: Those who love a layered look combined with sentimental value should give this initial necklace a try. It’s a durable, charming piece that really takes personality to another level.

Final Thoughts

Necklaces have survived the test of time and continue to be wonderful women’s accessories. If you want to buy one for yourself or a loved one, take a look at our top picks.

Rachel Shubin Rachel Shubin
Rachel Shubin is a freelance journalist who is passionate about telling stories. Along with writing reviews for LifeSavvy, she writes a book column for Cape May Magazine and is a reporter for the Cape May Star & Wave Newspaper. When Rachel is not writing, she can be found advocating for mental health awareness and animal rescue, reading novels, exploring Cape May, or working on her polymer clay jewelry business, Piper + Pearl Co. Read Full Bio »
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