Jewelry Sizes, Lengths and Fancy Names

Jewelry Sizing: Make sure your Jewelry Order fits!

It can sometimes be difficult to buy jewelry online because we are never sure exactly how the jewelry will fit us. The jewelry descriptions might have lengths listed, or a fancy name noted, which is supposed to let us know how long the necklace is. However, most of us are unable to imagine how the jewelry will display on our necks or wrists.

This article is written to serve as a guide to buying jewelry online when you only have an image or description to evaluate. If you are a frequent handmade jewelry client for online jewelry businesses, I would recommend cutting some string or having a measuring tape (for sewing use) on hand. These are simple ways to measure around your neck or wrist to see where the jewelry will fall. If you are still unsure if the jewelry will fit you, take some measurement from your neck and wrists and let your online jewelry designer know what length you would like the necklace to be. Don't do a complete redesign, but if the necklace is 17.5 inches and you want is to fall at 18 inches, you could ask about adding a couple of links to the necklace. While this may be a complimentary service from some jewelry designers, some may charge a small fee, but it's worth the extra money for your handmade jewelry purchase to fit you perfectly.

Necklaces
We'll start with necklace lengths. Standard Necklace lengths are 16", 18", 20", 22" and 24". There are more sizes, both smaller and larger, but those are standards. You can usually buy chains in these standard length. If you go smaller you are entering collar or choker territory. The collar necklace, which is 12-13 inches, fits snugly around the middle of the neck. These necklaces are often made of fabric, or woven beads, so the necklace will lay flat against the neck rather than irritating the neck with large beads, especially mis-shapen beads. The choker, which is 14-16 inches, falls perfectly around the base of the neck. This length is very popular and classic, and it works with most necklines.

Next we have the Princess necklace, which is 17-19 inches. The princess necklace falls just below the throat and is usually worn with lower necklines. You'll find that necklaces with large pendants or y-necklaces tend to be 17-19 inches in length before the pendant or the drop. The princess necklace length makes for a more natural drop from the weight of the pendant or for the V of the Y-necklace.

The Matinee necklace is 20-24 inches, which falls a few inches below the collarbone, or at (or above) the neckline. Many women wear this style necklace over a blouse or high collar top. You'll see the Matinee necklace in the workplace or on older women who don't like to wear necklaces too tight or close to their neckline. If you are wearing a necklace with a whimsical pendant or of a locket of some kind, and you frequently enjoy looking at it while you wear it, the Matinee necklace is perfect due to the longer length. The same goes for our next necklace, the Opera necklace.

The Opera necklace ranges from 26-34 inches in length. The trend right now is to wear multiple opera length necklaces at their longest length. These necklace are extremely versatile, and depending on the length, the opera necklace can be doubled up to make a double strand necklace. This style of necklace can easily be transformed from day to evening wear.

The longest necklace style is the Rope necklace, which can be over 45 inches in length. This is perhaps the most versatile necklace style there is, as it can be worn day or night and transformed into a multi-strand necklace or even bracelet. Some people even refer the rope necklace as a necklace scarf or beaded scarf. They can be worn in any number of ways, be as creative as your fashion sense will take you. You can even wear these around your waist as a decorative belt.

Bracelets
There aren't any fancy names for bracelets, but there is a size chart. To ensure that your bracelet will fit you when it arrives, make a note of your wrist size in the comments box on checkout, I would imagine that most jewelry artists will verify that the bracelet will fit you before shipping your order. Don't forget to add 1-1.25 inches to your bracelet measurement, you don't want to bracelet too tight. If the bracelet is a gift and you don't know their wrist size, refer to the chart below and estimate. The average person is 7.25-7.5 inches.

Bracelet Size Chart:
Extra Small: 6-6.5 inches
Small: 6.5-7 inches
Medium: 7-7.5 inches (Standard)
Large: 7.5-8 inches
Extra Large: 8-8.5 inches and up.

If you are still clueless, buy a small or medium bracelet with an extension. A bracelet extension not only adds versatility to the length, but it's also a nice decorative touch. At Kincaidesigns Handmade Jewelry, many of the bracelets have extensions which adds anywhere from 1" to 2.5 inches to the length of the bracelet. This guarantees your bracelet will fit.

There you have it, refer to this article when you are buying from an online jewelry designer. And remember that when you buy from a handmade jewelry designer, you have more control over the specifics of your jewelry. If you would like links added or removed, just ask your online jewelry designer and they will let you know what can be done. When you shop at Kincaidesigns Handmade Jewelry, we want to make sure that your jewelry fits the way you want it to. Please add notes to the comments box when you checkout with your wrist size and necklace preferences. We will make sure your jewelry fits you before your order is shipped.