Red Nymph Jewelry
Buying gifts for your girlfriend can be a lot of fun, especially when you’re on the lookout for something special, like a necklace she’ll always adore. However, finding the right necklace isn’t as easy as seeing one that looks nice and making your purchase.
In practice, there are some considerations to make when choosing the right necklace: What length should the necklace be? What style would suit your significant other best? Should you buy one that’s trendy or classic?
It can be scary, indeed—that’s why we’ve made a list of the five most important factors to keep in mind when shopping for a necklace for your girlfriend.
- Necklace Style
First, let’s look at the different styles you can choose from. It’s not an exhaustive list, but these are the most common and popular ones.
Single-Strand vs. Multistrand
You can choose between a necklace consisting of one strand or many strands. They’re usually metal chains or strings of gemstones or beads. Choosing a multistrand necklace is a good idea if your girlfriend likes bold, statement pieces more than simpler designs.
On the other hand, you’ll probably find that single-strand necklaces offer more versatility.
Layered Necklaces
Right on trend at the moment are versatile and fashion-forward layered necklaces. Like multistrand necklaces, they make for more of a style statement, but the two differ in terms of the number of individual items. While multistrand necklaces form one piece that can’t be separated, layered necklaces like our Tropical Layered Beads Necklace with Initials in Gold Plating are actually multiple single-strand necklaces that can be worn together or individually.
Pendant necklaces are very popular gifts, and they have a focal item hanging from a chain. The pendant can be gemstones, hearts, initials, or charms—whatever you feel your girlfriend will appreciate most. You can even choose a pendant to express your love for her, for example the Heart Pendant Necklace With Two Names that can feature both of your names in addition to its heart-shaped style.
Lockets
A locket is a type of pendant that hangs from a chain and opens up to contain something very small within. As it usually holds small photos of loved ones, it’s a very sentimental gift. You can usually find circular, oval, and heart-shaped lockets that can be simple or more intricate, like an elegantly engraved monogrammed heart locket. To make it really personal, you can opt for something like this Family Tree Floating Locket With Birthstones, for which you can choose individual birthstones to represent all your girlfriend’s loved ones.
- Necklace Length
You may not realize this, but the length of the necklace matters a lot. It determines how the necklace will sit and how well it pairs with different outfits.
Here’s a quick overview of the different lengths:
Short Necklaces
Necklaces between 15 and 17 inches long are considered short necklaces, and they’re often called chokers. This length is widely considered the most flattering to women, as it equally compliments different neck lengths. What’s more, chokers can be worn day or night.
For a choker that not only fits your girlfriend’s neck snuggly but also sends a cute message, you can opt for something like this Black Choker Necklace With Heart Charm to add a sentimental element.
Medium-Length Necklaces
Necklaces between 17 and 19 inches long are referred to as princess necklaces, and they’re the most popular type. These can be worn with almost any outfit and typically suit all women regardless of their body type or personal style.
Longer-Length Necklaces
Any necklace longer that’s 24 inches or longer is best suited for plunging necklines because of how it rests on the skin. Longer-length necklaces also work well for high necklines to layer over clothes or can be paired with shorter necklaces for the layered necklace effect.
When choosing the length, adjust the necklace length an inch or two for smaller or larger frames so they fit comfortably and look the most flattering. If you’re unsure what length to go with, measure your girlfriend’s favorite necklaces as a guideline. You’ll also see if she has a preferred length she likes to wear.
- Necklace Quality
It goes without saying that you’ll want to buy a good quality necklace for your girlfriend, but this doesn’t mean you have to buy the most expensive necklace you can find. There are high-quality necklaces at affordable prices—you just need to find them!
When it comes to the quality of a necklace, there are two factors to keep in mind:
Type of Metal
You have many options in terms of material—silver, sterling silver, stainless steel, solid gold, plated gold, and rose gold. All of these are good quality, durable metals. A quality material piece like a 925silver necklace should be your go-to choice. Type of Stone
The stones on necklaces can either be precious or semi-precious. This will largely determine the price of the necklace. For a more affordable option, don’t dismiss semi-precious gems—including birthstones—as they can be just as stunning.
- The Occasion
Keep in mind the occasion of the purchase—doing so will help you make the right choice, and you won’t regret your purchase later.
If the necklace is your gift for a special event like her birthday, Valentine’s Day, or a stunning jewelry Christmas present, you need to buy something appropriate. you can shop by occasion to make your choice easier. For instance, you can choose something like this Engraved Heart Necklace With Birthstone in Rose Gold Plating for occasions like Valentine’s Day, when you want to signify your love in no uncertain words.
- Her Personal Style
When choosing the perfect necklace, you should consider your girlfriend’s personal style as well. Keep the following in mind while you shop:
Her color preferences Her current jewelry and other accessories Does she like diamonds or colored stones? Does she prefer gold, silver, or rose gold?
A very important consideration to make is whether your girlfriend likes timeless and classic necklaces or has a more modern and trendy style. If she likes a blend of the two, something like a stunning Pearl Name Necklace is a great gift choice.
You’ve Already Made the Best Choice
Don’t feel overwhelmed at the thought of not choosing the right necklace for your girlfriend—you’ve already made an excellent choice just by deciding to get her a necklace, especially if you opt for something personal like a necklace for her with your name!
More than this, the fact that you’ve taken the time to explore necklace options and thoughtfully consider these five factors will mean the world to her.
So, you can rest assured that you’ll be giving her more than just beautiful jewelry—it’ll be a token of your love and something she’ll cherish and wear with pride.
Buying gifts for your girlfriend can be a lot of fun, especially when you’re on the lookout for something special, like a necklace she’ll always adore. However, finding the right necklace isn’t as easy as seeing one that looks nice and making your purchase.
In practice, there are some considerations to make when choosing the right necklace: What length should the necklace be? What style would suit your significant other best? Should you buy one that’s trendy or classic?
She’s so very special to you – your girlfriend holds a cherished place in your heart and therefore deserves the very best. The only problem is, what exactly does that look like? When you’re shopping for necklaces for your girlfriend- related events like anniversaries, birthdays, or Valentine’s Day- there are a lot of gorgeous jewelry choices to browse. Truly delighting her, however, will take a little insider knowledge, a little clever surprise, and a sparkling piece of simulated diamond jewelry that will make her eyes light up the way she lights up your life. In this article, we’ll explore some things you’ll want to keep in mind when shopping for the perfect necklace for your girlfriend – one that’s both meaningful and as unique as she is.
CONSIDERATION ONE: NECKLACE LENGTH
Most women have developed and evolved their own style over the years, which makes it easy to do a little “background investigation” as your gift-giving event approaches. Take notice of what she’s wearing, not just every day, but in recent photographs as well. Where does the pendant or end of the necklace chain rest on her neck?
This measurement isn’t just important for comfort and “wearability.” When a woman embraces a certain style of jewelry, the way her clothing is cut and even her hairstyle also tend to revolve around this look. By taking the time to know her preferences before presenting a gift box, you’re giving her a present that she’ll happily and readily wear often. This result should be the primary goal when hunting down cute necklaces for your girlfriend. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
If her favorite necklaces sit very close to the neck, almost choker-like, you’ll want to stick with a 14” to 16” length. Err on the side of longer if selecting a precious metal chain with or without a fine jewelry pendant. If the necklace is too tight on her throat, it may feel uncomfortable or compromise the integrity of the chain.
If her favorite necklace sits draped just above or below the hollow of her neck, 18” to 20” of length will sit nicely. This is a common length for fine jewelry pieces, as it allows them to be properly showcased to catch the light (as well as an admiring eye or two).
If she likes her pendant or chain to lay at the edge of where a sleeveless top would sit, just before her décolletage, this is considered an “opera” length. It measures approximately 24” in length and is less common than shorter lengths.
If her necklaces tend to be very long, and fall along the torso or between the chest area outside her blouse, this is a rope or lariat length and is generally between 30” and 33” in length. It is unusual, though not unheard of, to see these lengths in fine jewelry, as it tends to de-emphasize or hide brilliant pendants in favor of the chain itself.
CONSIDERATION TWO: NECKLACE STYLE
Once you’ve determined the ideal length in necklaces for your girlfriend, the next step is choosing a style. Similar to fashionable clothing, cosmetics, and perfumes, fine jewelry such as necklaces should always keep personal style in mind: this is why paying attention to the chains and pendants she already owns is a wise move. When taking ‘notes’, try and observe any common similarities – gem style, shape, arrangement, and so on – between the pieces she likes to wear and ones that appear to be her favorites.
Even non-necklace pieces like earrings, bracelets, and rings can point to the style that resonates with her taste the most and take special cues from any deliberately-matching sets. The items she wears the most will become obvious after time, and may even appear in those aforementioned photographs with friends and family. Below are a few types of popular necklace styles your girlfriend might fancy:
Graduated Necklaces employ a series of connected or evenly-spaced beads or gems that increase in size or diameter towards the center. The effect is such that the smaller gems gradually grow, eventually framing the largest stone at the base of the necklace. These beads or gems are typically fixed in place or strung without space, such as a tennis necklace or string of pearls.
Pendant Necklaces come in two varieties: free-floating and fixed. In free-floating pendant necklaces, the pendant is attached by threading a chain through one or more metal brackets on the pendant itself. These brackets may be hidden behind the gem or raised above the gem; the latter option sometimes incorporates decorative metalwork or even additional set gems. In fixed pendant necklaces, the setting of the stone still incorporates brackets, but these are fixed in place and attached as a link on either side of the chain, rather than threading into it. In other words, free-floating pendants move along a chain, whereas fixed pendants do not. Fixed pendants are common for fine jewelry, as they minimize the chance a valuable pendant could slide off when the necklace is removed for cleaning or storage.
using an off-set or artistically unbalanced front “knot,” similar to the way a necktie is worn. It may be a true lariat necklace, where the knot can be slid or moved up the chain of the other side, or it may be fixed in place to form a balanced “Y” shape that draws down from the hollow of the neck. These styles are an upscale alternative for a girlfriend that loves a generous necklace length but still wants to wear fine jewelry.
Bar Necklaces are similar to fixed pendant necklaces but use an elongated bar with attachments at each end in lieu of a smaller round, square, or diamond pendant. These styles look best when worn with a minimalist outfit, as they contribute crisp, clear lines to a look without an excess of sparkle or patterning. They are widely considered both modern and elegant, and tend to be a safe choice for a stumped partner in search of the perfect necklace for a girlfriend.
CONSIDERATION THREE: METAL AND STONE
The last step when browsing meaningful necklaces for your girlfriend is deciding on the material to use. Thankfully most women have a preference, even if only a slight one, for precious metals: once you’ve begun to hone in on her personal aesthetic, you’ll quickly notice a trend and confirm her preferences. Whether her favorite pieces are either yellow gold, silver/white gold, or even rose/pink gold, there is a myriad of fine jewelry necklace options available to suit her individual taste and style.
Gold purity is measured through “caratage”, or the percentage of pure gold in the final form of the jewelry piece. As you shop for necklaces for your girlfriend, keep this little fact in mind. 24k gold is the purest form commercially available, with only .05% other metals blended in for structural stability. As gold numbers descend, they represent the portion of pure gold to other metals in the finished piece: 12k gold, for example, points to 50% of the metal being pure gold (12k versus the pure 24k). 18k gold has three parts of gold to one part other metal(s), and so on. While yellow undertones will be brighter the purer the gold is, the metal will also be more malleable. This is due to the fact that gold is actually a fairly soft metal. For example, 18k gold is more durable than 24k gold because the alloys used in 18k gold are stronger than the gold itself.
Rose gold is created by blending yellow gold with copper and other metals, while white gold is made by blending yellow gold with other precious metals such as silver or palladium. Platinum is a standalone precious metal that is as valuable (if not more so) than traditional gold, and will typically have its purity expressed as a percentage, much like gold.
Once you’ve selected the precious metal (or metals, as some necklace designs incorporate more than one), finding the perfect gem is the next step. There’s simply nothing like the sparkle of a well-cut stone, and finding the ideal shape, size, and cut will produce an envy-inspiring gift for her to wear.
Single Gem Pendants like solitaires can take the form of the eponymous square cut, the modern princess cut, the rectangular baguette, or classic shapes like the round brilliant cut or oval marquise cut.
Halo Pendants encircle a large center stone with a ring or rings of smaller, complementary-cut stone. The overall effect is a brilliant sparkle that draws the eye without overwhelming it. This style is often used to emphasize differently-colored gems, such as a large sapphire blue stone surrounded by twinkling white stones along the perimeter.
we blend metalwork pendants with a small inset stone or center stone for a touch of sparkle. These gems may serve as an elegant offset touch in an artistic format, or stand-in for specific design points, such as the eyes in an animal profile.