Our chain sizing and buying guide

Our iconic Celtic Crosses and beautiful pendants are some of our most popular gifts. But when you are gifting someone a beautiful pendant or cross, or indeed buying one for yourself, how do you know if the chain size is right?

We know that getting it right can be tricky. So drawing on our many years of experience, we’ve pulled together our chain sizing and buying tips here so you can be sure you get it right the first time. Read on to find out how a chain size is measured, how you can measure your own chain size, and how to know what size chain to buy?

How is chain size measured?

Some of the confusion around sizing chains comes from how they are measured to start with. Chains are measured along their full length, including the clasp, opened and flat from one end to another. So far so simple right?

But when you wear a chain, that length is doubled over on itself in a loop and draped on either side of the neck. This can make it appear shorter than you might expect when looking at the flat measurement.

So for an 18-inch chain, the distance it will hang from the back of the neck is only 9 inches. And increasing from an 18-inch to a 20-inch chain will only result in a difference in apparent length of 1 inch rather than 2. This understandably can lead to confusion when purchasing a chain.

Where the chain will sit can then vary even further depending on the build and frame of the person who will wear it. A chain will appear shorter and sit higher up on someone who has a taller or broader build as compared to someone with a more petite frame.

How do I know what size chain to buy?

So with all these variables how does anyone know what size chain to buy?

Measure a necklace you already own

The easiest way is to measure a chain length you know works for what you want - for example from a necklace that you already own. Open the necklace out, lay it flat on a table, and measure its full length including the clasp with a ruler or tape measure. You can then order exactly that length.

Measure your neckline

If you don’t have a necklace of the length you are looking for, we recommend draping a piece of string or cord around your neck to the length you are looking for. Remember that the pendant will hang down from the chain so make sure you keep that in mind as the pendant will add a little length to the look. Then take this loop of string and carefully measure it out flat on a table with measuring tape or ruler being careful not to stretch it out.

Make an educated guess

When you are buying for someone else, you might not be able to measure the exact length. In this instance, you can make an educated guess considering:

The average length chain for their gender: The majority of chains we sell for women are 18-inch and for men 20-inch.
Their build: for someone with a taller or larger frame we recommend going up a few inches in chain length from the average to ensure a comfortable fit
Their style: Different chain lengths look best with different outfits. Have a look at the table below to get an idea of how specific lengths are typically worn.

Chains for women

Chain length	Where chain will fall	What look it suits
18 inch - “Princess” length	Most common chain length for women - sitting just below the collar bone	Wear with an open-collared shirt or v neck. Can wear over a round or crew neck t-shirt/sweater.
20 to 24 inch - “Matinee” length	Sits between the collarbone and the bust	A more dramatic or statement look over a turtle neck, crew neck t-shirt, or sweater
30 inch - Opera length	Just above or below the bust	A statement look for outfits with a high neckline or evening wear

Chains For Men

Chain length	Where it will fall on average	What look it suits
18 inch	Sits at the base of the neck	A crew neck t-shirt
20 inch	Most common necklace length for men - sitting at or around the collarbone	Suits almost anything when worn over or can be worn with deep v or unbuttoned dress shirt against skin
22 to 24 inch	A few inches below the collarbone	Worn over t-shirts, sweaters, etc. for a strong look
30 inch	On the chest	Often worn under clothing for personal/religious reasons to be worn close to heart. Can be worn over for a strong statement look

Ask for Help

Finally, a good jeweler will be able to advise you on the exact chain that works best for your specific requirements. This has the added bonus that they will also take into account the pendant itself. In our experience, a larger chunkier pendant suits a longer heavier chain so we always keep the size of the pendant in mind in making a recommendation.

We would also recommend purchasing the pendant and chain together so the jeweler can ensure a good fit through the bale. The last thing you want is a chain that looks great but that is too big to fit through the bale of the pendant!

Get in touch

If you are looking for a perfect pendant but would like help in picking the right chain do get in touch. Set up a call with us or send us an email and we would be only delighted to answer any question you may have about pendants, crosses, or chains.