Measuring Necklace Sizes

When choosing a necklace, it's important to know your neck size so that your necklace lays in the position you would like. Every neck is different, on an average woman a 16 inch necklace may sit perfectly at the collarbone, yet a larger neck this may become a collar styled necklace, or a smaller neck this may become a princess styled necklace.

Take a soft measuring tape and wrap it closely around your neck. Hold the tape closely against your neck, not tight nor loose. When you have noted down your neck size, if for example the measurement is 14 inches, add on two inches (one necklace size) to find the smallest necklace length you can wear comfortably. You can then gauge the other styles from your 'base' size.  Read over the average necklace styles below.

Common Necklace Sizes

Collar
12 – 14 inch / 30.5 – 35.5 cm. This style of necklace wraps very closely around your neck, a tight fit against the neck

Choker
14 inch / 35.5 cm. This style of necklace wraps loosely around your neck, close to the base of your throat.
16 inch / 40.6 cm. This style of necklace sits just above the collarbone and is considered a common necklace size.

Princess / Pendant
17 - 18 inch / 43.1 - 45.7 cm.  This style of necklace sits at the collarbone, similar in fit to a choker necklace sitting quite close to the neck with a looser feel. Along with the 16 inch necklace, the 17 - 18 inch is a common necklace length.

Matinee
20 inch / 50.8 cm. This style of necklace sits just a few inches below the collarbone, laying above the standard neckline.
22 inch / 55.8 cm. This style of necklace sits at or above the top of the bust.
24 inch / 60.9 cm. This style of necklace sits just below the centre of the bust, falling above a low neckline.

Opera
28 – 34 inch / 72 – 86.3 cm. This style of necklace sits below the bust.