Your Australian style guide to necklaces. The seven main types, the length framework, layering, neckline pairing and care for everyday wear.
Necklaces are among the personal pieces of jewellery anyone wears. They sit close to the face, frame the neckline, and often carry meaning beyond decoration. This complete style guide covers the main necklace types, the length framework that determines how a necklace sits on the body, how to layer effectively, how to pair necklaces with different necklines, and how to care for them so they hold their finish through years of wear.
For the materials side of necklaces (which finishes actually last for daily Australian wear), our existing gold plated necklaces guide covers the technical detail. This guide focuses on style, length, and styling decisions.
The Seven Main Necklace Types
Necklace categories are usually defined by the design feature that does the visual work. A pendant necklace draws the eye to the centre with a hanging element. A layered necklace creates dimension with multiple chains. Each type has its own context and its own styling rules.
A fine chain with a single decorative element suspended at the centre. A versatile single necklace category and a foundation piece in many jewellery collections. Pendant designs range from minimalist bars and discs through to crystal cross pendants, gemstone drops and figurative motifs.
Pre styled multi chain pieces where two or more chains sit at different lengths from a single clasp. Delivers the layered look without the work of pairing chains yourself. Ideal for anyone who likes the look of stacked necklaces but does not want to manage tangling or matching themselves.
Pendants featuring a single letter, usually a personal or meaningful initial. Worn alone as a personal piece or layered with plain chains for a curated look. Among the popular gift categories in Australia because the personalisation gives the piece sentimental value.
Pendants featuring a stone in the colour of a birth month. Adds colour and personal meaning to a necklace stack. Often worn as the middle layer between two plain chains, where the stone catches light against the metal of the surrounding layers.
Pendants featuring a heart motif, ranging from simple polished hearts through to dual sided hearts and crystal accented designs. Worn as romantic pieces or sentimental gifts. A staple gift category for Valentines, anniversaries, and Mothers Day.
Necklaces featuring simulated pearls, either as a single bar pendant, a beaded strand, or as accent details on a chain. Modern pearl necklaces sit comfortably in everyday wardrobes rather than being reserved for formal occasions.
Plain chains worn alone or as building blocks for layered looks. Chain styles include cable, snake, box, figaro, rope and curb, each with their own visual texture. The chain you choose determines the overall feel of the necklace as much as any pendant attached to it.
The necklace type sets the visual character. The length sets where it sits on the body. Both decisions matter equally.
The Necklace Length Framework
Necklace length is measured from clasp to clasp when the chain is laid flat. The same pendant looks completely different at 40cm versus 60cm, so length is one of the first decisions to make when choosing a necklace.
Sits high on the neck, just above the collarbone. Suits open necklines and creates a striking visual statement. Often paired with off shoulder dresses or simple V necks where the necklace becomes the focal point.
Sits at the base of the neck, just touching the collarbone. Modern and confident, suits high necklines surprisingly well because it becomes a layer rather than a competitor.
The common pendant necklace length. Sits just below the collarbone, where most pendants are designed to fall. Versatile across crew necks, V necks, scoop necks and most workwear necklines.
Sits between the collarbone and the bust line. Adds a longer line to the silhouette. Works particularly well with crew necks, tees and casual everyday outfits where you want a visible necklace without it competing with the neckline.
Sits at or below the bust line. Typically worn over knitwear or higher necklines as a statement layer. Less common in casual everyday wear, more common in evening or considered styled looks.
A very long necklace that can be worn as a single strand or doubled into shorter layers. Mostly reserved for evening wear or specific aesthetic styling. Less suited to daily casual wear.
A layered piece, a pendant, and a heart pendant from the necklaces collection. All 18K PVD gold plated on 316L stainless steel.
Pairing Necklaces with Necklines
Neckline shapes the canvas the necklace sits against. The space between the collar and the necklace determines whether the styling reads balanced or crowded.
Suits princess and matinee length pendants that sit just below or just above the neckline. Avoid chokers that disappear into the collar. Layered necklaces with one chain above and one below the neckline can also work beautifully.
The natural shape of a V neck creates a frame for pendants. Princess length pendants follow the line of the V and feel intentional. Longer matinee pendants extend the V line further.
Versatile with most necklace lengths. Princess length pendants sit beautifully inside the scoop. Layered necklaces work particularly well because the curved neckline echoes the curve of layered chains.
An open canvas. Chokers, collars, and shorter pendant necklaces sit cleanly because there is no fabric to compete. Layered necklaces and statement pieces shine here.
Long matinee or opera necklaces work beautifully over knitwear and high necks. The length cuts through the visual weight of the neckline. Shorter pendants tend to disappear against the fabric.
Princess length pendants tucked under or over the collar both work. A pendant that sits just at the V created by an open button gives a polished considered finish.
Layering Necklaces Effectively
Layered necklaces are one of the strongest jewellery trends of recent years and they continue to dominate everyday styling in Australia. The principles for building a successful layered look are similar to those for stacking earrings, but applied to the chest area instead of the ear.
Vary the lengths so each chain has its own visible space. A common framework is a 40cm chain at the top, a 45cm chain in the middle, and a 50cm chain at the bottom. The 5cm gaps prevent tangling and let each chain be seen.
Mix the chain styles for visual interest. A plain cable chain layered with a pendant chain reads more considered than two identical plain chains stacked. The contrast keeps the eye moving between the layers.
Anchor the look with one focal piece. Whether that is a pendant, an initial, or a birthstone, having one clear focal point in the layered stack gives the eye somewhere to rest. The other chains support without competing.
Match the metal finish across the stack. Mixing gold and silver in a single necklace stack can work as advanced styling but reads cleaner when the entire stack shares a metal tone. The 18K PVD Gold Plated finish across the GLISTIA range makes this straightforward because every piece shares the same warm gold tone.
For more on layering principles that transfer between necklaces and earrings, see our earring stacking guide, which covers the same balancing logic applied to the ear.
Caring for Necklaces
Necklaces sit close to the skin and contact perfume, sunscreen, sweat and water more than most jewellery. Basic care extends the finish significantly.
Perfume, sunscreen, hair spray, and moisturiser all contain chemicals that can build up on metal finishes and dull the shine over time. Apply these first, wait until they dry, then put the necklace on last.
A quick wipe with a soft microfibre cloth at the end of the day removes skin oils and product residue. This single habit is what keeps necklace finishes looking fresh long term.
Loose storage with other pieces causes tangling and scratching. A jewellery stand, a flat lined tray, or individual soft pouches keep necklaces in good condition. For layered necklaces, hanging storage is particularly important to prevent the chains tangling with each other.
Quality 18K PVD Gold Plated stainless steel necklaces handle daily showers without issue. Drying gently after water exposure helps maintain the finish over time. For pieces specifically built for water, the waterproof jewellery collection covers the dedicated water resistant range, and our complete waterproof jewellery guide covers what makes a piece genuinely water safe.
The clasp is the small mechanical part of any necklace and a common point to wear over time. Open and close it intentionally rather than yanking, and avoid pulling on the chain near the clasp when removing.
GLISTIA carries the full range of necklace styles in 18K PVD Gold Plated 316L surgical grade stainless steel, including layered, pendant, initial, birthstone, heart, and pearl necklaces. Free Australian shipping on orders over $75 and standard 15 to 30 days returns through GLISTIA. Browse the full necklaces collection, the 18K PVD gold plated collection, or waterproof jewellery for pieces built for daily Australian wear.
Princess length (43 to 48cm) is the reliable first pendant length. It sits just below the collarbone where most pendants are designed to fall. Versatile across crew necks, V necks, scoop necks, and most workwear necklines. From there you can explore shorter chokers for open necklines or longer matinee pieces for casual everyday wear over a tee.
A pendant necklace is a single chain with one decorative element suspended at the centre. A layered necklace is a single piece that includes two or more chains at different lengths, all attached to the same clasp, designed to give the appearance of a stacked look without managing multiple separate necklaces.
Vary the lengths by at least 4 to 5cm between each chain so each one has its own visible space. Use chains with smooth links rather than rough textured ones, which catch on each other less. Alternatively, choose a pre styled layered necklace where the chains are designed to sit at fixed distances. Storage matters too. Hang necklaces individually or store each in its own pouch when not worn.
Princess length pendants follow the line of the V neck and feel intentional. Longer matinee pendants extend the V line further down for a longer silhouette. Avoid chokers and collars that sit higher than the V, which creates competing horizontal lines.
Quality necklaces made from 18K PVD Gold Plated stainless steel handle daily showers without issue. The PVD bonding process and the stainless steel base both resist water exposure. Drying the necklace gently with a soft cloth after the shower helps maintain the finish over time. For pieces specifically tested for daily water exposure, the GLISTIA waterproof jewellery collection covers the relevant range.
Princess length (43 to 48cm) is the common everyday choice across Australia, particularly for pendant necklaces. It works with the necklines most Australian women wear day to day, from crew necks for cooler months to scoop and V necks for warmer weather. Layered necklaces typically combine a princess length chain with a slightly shorter or longer chain to create depth.
Necklaces made on 316L surgical grade stainless steel with 18K PVD gold plating are generally suitable for most wearers with sensitive skin. The 316L base meets international standards for low nickel release, and the 18K gold plating is typically formulated without nickel in reputable manufacturing. Individual sensitivity varies, so if any irritation occurs the piece should be removed immediately.
Find Your Everyday Necklace
A full necklace range in 18K PVD Gold Plated 316L surgical grade stainless steel. Pendants, layered, initial, birthstone, heart and pearl styles built for Australian daily wear.
