Choosing a necklace length can feel trickier than it should be — a few centimetres either way and a pendant that looked perfect in a photo sits too high, too low, or gets lost under a collar. The good news is that necklace sizing follows a few simple rules, and every Lumière & Co necklace comes with a free 2" extender, so you've got a bit of built-in flexibility even after you've chosen.
The standard lengths, explained simply
Most of our necklaces are made in a handful of lengths, and each one sits differently depending on your neck size and where you'd like the pendant to fall.
14"–16": Chokers and collarbone-skimmers
Sits snugly at the base of the neck. Lovely on its own, and a natural first layer if you're building a stack — it's the length we'd recommend pairing with a slightly longer piece for contrast.
17"–18": The everyday favourite
This is where most of our name necklaces and initial necklaces land, and it's by far our most popular choice. It sits just below the collarbone, works with almost any neckline, and is the length we'd suggest if you're buying for someone and aren't sure of their preference.
19"–20": A little lower, a little looser
Falls just above the bust. Good for anyone who prefers their jewellery not to sit directly against the throat, and a flattering option for higher necklines like polo necks or crew-neck jumpers.
How to work out which length suits you
A quick way to check without any guesswork: take a soft tape measure (or a length of string and a ruler) and wrap it around the base of your neck where you'd like the necklace to sit, then add roughly 2"–3" to allow the necklace to drape naturally rather than sit flat like a collar. If you already own a necklace you love the fit of, laying it flat and measuring end to end is often the easiest reference point of all.
It's also worth thinking about what you'll be wearing it with. Layering pieces tend to look best when each length is spaced about 2" apart, so they don't compete or tangle. If you're new to layering, starting with a choker-length piece and one longer necklace is the simplest way in.
Our free 2" extender — and why it matters
Because necks (and preferences) vary, every necklace we make comes with a complimentary 2" extender chain included at no extra cost. It attaches at the clasp and lets you drop your necklace a couple of inches longer whenever you fancy — perfect for wearing over a jumper in winter, adjusting on a day your neckline sits differently, or simply giving a gifted necklace room to be the right fit even if you weren't entirely sure of the length when you ordered. It's a small thing, but it takes a lot of the pressure off choosing "exactly" right the first time.
Buying it as a gift?
If you're choosing a length for someone else, 18" is the safest and most flattering choice for the vast majority of adults, and with the free extender included, there's built-in room either way. A personalised piece already carries the thought of choosing someone's initial, name or birthstone — getting the length close enough, with the flexibility to adjust, means the fit takes care of itself. Browse our full range of necklaces to find a style and length that feels right, or start with a name necklace for something that's unmistakably personal.