One hundred and twelve necklaces in solid 14k gold and 14k gold vermeil, from $80 to $1,250 — pendants, fine chains, constellation and birthstone pieces, coin and heart designs, and layering chains meant to be worn together.
Narrower starting points: pendant necklaces, chain necklaces, solid gold necklaces, personalised necklaces and birthstone jewelry.
Choosing a length
Length does more to change how a necklace looks than the pendant does. Our chains come in 14", 15", 16", 17" and 18", plus adjustable sets: 14"–15"–16" (S), 16"–17"–18" (M) and 18"–19"–20" (L).
14"–15" sits as a choker, high on the neck. 16" falls at the base of the neck, right on the collarbone for most people — the most common single-necklace choice. 18" sits just below the collarbone and is the safest length if you are buying as a gift and do not know a preference. 20" and longer falls onto the chest and works over knitwear and higher necklines.
If you are buying to layer, choose lengths at least two inches apart. Chains closer than that tangle and read as one messy line rather than two deliberate ones.
Layering
The rule that makes layering work is variation in visual weight. One clear focal pendant with finer chains above and below reads well; three pendants of similar size at similar lengths compete with each other. A common set is a 16" fine chain, an 18" pendant, and a 20" chain with a small charm.
Pendants and what they carry
A large part of this collection is pendant-led, and most pendants here carry a specific meaning rather than being purely decorative. Initials and names mark a person — see personalised jewelry. Birthstones mark a month. Constellation and zodiac pieces mark a birth date differently again; see the zodiac collection. Hearts, infinity symbols, north stars and anchors each carry their own reading.
This is why necklaces are the most common gift category here: they carry a message, and unlike a ring they need no size. See gifts.
Chain types
Chain construction affects durability as much as appearance. Cable and rolo chains are simple interlocking links — strong, easy to repair, and the usual choice for holding a pendant. Box chains are square-linked and sit very straight. Curb chains have flattened, twisted links that lie flat against the skin. Snake and herringbone chains are smooth and liquid-looking but are the most prone to kinking permanently if bent sharply — worth knowing before choosing one for daily wear.
Heavier chains carry heavier pendants. A fine chain under a substantial pendant will wear at the bail over time.
What the metal means
Everything here is solid 14k gold or 14k gold vermeil. Neither is gold plating, and the difference is worth understanding before you choose.
Solid 14k gold is 58.3% pure gold, alloyed for hardness, with gold running all the way through the piece. It will not wear off or expose a base metal, and it can be repolished and repaired for decades. Pure 24k gold is too soft for daily wear; 14k is where colour and durability balance, which is why it is the fine-jewelry standard in the US.
The same entry solid-gold piece is hallmarked 9K (37.5%) in the UK and Europe and 10K (41.7%) in the US — a regional convention, not two products. That tier is cheaper than 14k, and also harder and paler, because less gold and more alloy makes a more durable but less saturated metal.
14k gold vermeil is legally defined: at least 2.5 microns of gold bonded over solid 925 sterling silver. Ordinary gold plating is typically under 0.5 microns, often over brass, which is why it wears through in months and can discolour skin. We do not sell gold plated jewelry. More detail in why 14K solid gold and gold vermeil vs gold plated.
Care
Solid gold asks very little: keep it away from chlorine and abrasive cleaners, and a soft cloth restores the shine. Vermeil needs more care to preserve the gold layer — remove it before swimming, showering and exercise, and put it on after perfume and lotion rather than before. Stone-set pieces benefit from an occasional check that the settings remain tight.
See the care guide and how to care for gold jewelry. Solid gold does not turn skin green — that is a base-metal and plating problem, explained here.
Ordering, delivery and returns
Every piece is made after you order it, with production taking 4–6 business days before dispatch. US orders ship from our fulfilment partner in Connecticut with duties included; UK, EU, Canada and Australia orders dispatch from our London office. Every piece carries a 365-day warranty.
Standard returns apply to stock designs. Personalised and engraved pieces are made specifically for you and cannot be returned, so confirm spelling and sizing first. Full terms are on the shipping and returns page and in the FAQ.
Choosing by neckline and occasion
A necklace is worn against clothing, and the neckline does as much work as the chain length. A crew neck leaves a short window of skin, so a 16" chain or a small pendant sits well and anything longer disappears under fabric. A V-neck creates a natural line that a pendant follows — an 18" pendant sitting just above the point of the V is the classic pairing. An open or scoop neck gives room for layering, and is where two or three chains at staggered lengths look intentional rather than crowded. A high or turtleneck is the one case where a long chain, 20" and over, genuinely works better than a short one, because it sits on the fabric rather than fighting it.
For formal occasions where a piece needs to read clearly from a distance, a single pendant with visual weight beats several fine chains. For daily wear the reverse is usually true: fine chains sit comfortably under clothing and do not catch.
Solid gold or vermeil for a necklace
Necklaces are a useful place to think carefully about material, because chains take a specific kind of wear that rings and earrings do not. A chain moves constantly against skin and clothing, and the friction points — the clasp, the bail where a pendant hangs, the section that sits at the back of the neck — wear faster than the rest.
For a chain you intend to wear every day and never remove, solid gold is the more sensible purchase. The gold goes all the way through, so friction does not expose another metal underneath, and the piece can be repolished. For a piece worn often but not constantly, or for building out a layered set without committing to three solid gold chains, vermeil does the job at roughly a third of the price. Many customers do exactly this: one solid gold chain as the anchor, vermeil pieces layered around it.
Gifting a necklace
Necklaces are the most-gifted category here for one practical reason: they need no size. A ring bought for someone else is a guess; a necklace is not. The only variable is length, and 18" suits most people.
What makes a necklace read as considered rather than generic is usually the pendant carrying something specific — an initial, a birth month, a date, a symbol with a shared meaning. See personalised jewelry for initials and names, birthstone jewelry for month-specific stones, and gifts for the wider gift range.
Timing matters more than for a stocked product. Every piece is made after you order it, so allow production time as well as shipping when buying for a date. Personalised pieces need the longest lead time.
Frequently asked questions
What necklace length should I buy?
16" sits at the base of the neck, 18" falls just below the collarbone and is the most common choice, and 20" and longer suits layering over knitwear. If you are buying as a gift and unsure, 18" is the safest. We also offer adjustable sets covering three lengths.
How do I layer necklaces without them tangling?
Keep at least two inches between lengths, and vary the visual weight — one focal pendant with finer chains above and below. Chains at similar lengths and similar weight tangle and read as one cluttered line.
Do I need to know a size to buy a necklace as a gift?
No. Necklaces, pendants and bracelets fit almost anyone, which is why most of our gift range is deliberately non-ring. Only length is a preference, and 18" suits most people.
Is this real gold?
Yes. Every piece is either solid 14k gold (58.3% pure, gold throughout) or 14k gold vermeil (at least 2.5 microns of gold over solid 925 sterling silver). Nothing here is gold plated or gold filled.
What is the difference between 9K, 10K and 14K?
14K is 58.3% pure gold — richer in colour and higher priced. Our entry tier is the same piece hallmarked to regional standards: 9K (37.5%) in the UK and Europe, 10K (41.7%) in the US. That tier is cheaper than 14K, and also harder and paler. Both are genuinely solid gold.
How long will my order take?
Production is 4–6 business days because each piece is made after you order it, then shipping on top. US orders dispatch from Connecticut with duties included; UK, EU, Canada and Australia orders dispatch from London.
Will solid gold turn my skin green?
No. That reaction comes from copper and base metals in plated or costume jewelry. Solid 14k gold and 14k gold vermeil over sterling silver do not cause it.
Can I return a personalised piece?
No. Engraved and personalised items are made specifically for you and fall outside the standard returns policy. Stock designs can be returned under the normal terms on the shipping and returns page.