How to Build Personalized Necklace Layers

Show off your sense of personal style by layering your favorite necklace chains and pendants. You’ve likely noticed this trend on runways, on social media influencers, in online jewelry stores, and on your favorite TV reality stars. The layered look is everywhere — it's hot, it's sophisticated and it's an easy way to upgrade your appearance with minimal effort.

Spot-On Accessories as Easy as One, Two, Three

Grouping items together in odd numbers is a design trick that’s pleasing to the eye. That’s why stacking three necklaces in varying lengths of 16, 18 and 20 inches is so effective. The space between each chain allows each separate piece to shine on its own.

Make the 18-inch chain the focal point of the grouping with a personalized name pendant, a coin pendant or with a statement piece from a high-quality online jewelry store like the stunning 14K Gold Bar Stud Diamond Pendant.

You might feel compelled to showcase something more spiritual like a gold cross, your birthstone or your Zodiac sign. No matter what type of pendant you choose, it instantly draws the eye as a centerpiece.

Add Visual Interest to Your Necklace Layers

When every stacked chain looks the same, the effect lacks imagination. Remedy this with a group of chains with varied thicknesses and textures or a mix of materials, colors, and styles.

Add a delicate glimmer to your neckline with a fine 16-inch chain that accentuates your feminine features. Pair that with a chunky 20-inch chain like the 14K Gold Paper Clip Large Necklace for undeniable contrast that won’t go unnoticed.

Try a daring combination of minimalist and eclectic styles or mix contemporary chains with a vintage pendant. Throw in a string of pearls or a diamond tennis-style necklace to shake things up as a bold centerpiece. It’s your layered necklace design — make it your own.

Make a Personal Statement With Color

Are you obsessed with rose gold, or do you prefer the sunnier hue of yellow gold? Or, perhaps you’re partial to the silvery tones of white gold because it complements your skin tone or contrasts sharply against your jet-black hair.

Staying with the same color on each chain provides a coordinated look that can still be visually interesting by varying the size, texture, or style of each necklace.

Don’t worry if you’re undecided because you like all three varieties of gold or a mix of copper, silver, and gold. Mixed metals are a popular trend that shows no sign of going out of style.

Darker skin tones make a flattering backdrop against yellow and rose gold while lighter skin tones complement platinum, white gold, and silver jewelry. However, what matters most is that you’re wearing jewelry that you love because it shows!

Consider the Neckline of Your Top

When deciding how to stack your necklaces, your choice of clothing will have a major impact on how the final look comes together.

If you want to display the jewelry next to your bare skin, a V-shaped neckline or button-up blouse can help you accomplish this.

For the best look over clothing, you’ll need to wear a high collar sleeveless Cami, a high collar shirt, or a turtleneck sweater in one solid color.

The solid background won’t compete with or detract from the look of the jewelry. For maximum impact, wear dark colors behind the silver and white gold chains. Or, choose a complementary hue based on the warm or cool undertone of the metal. Nothing looks more elegant against a backdrop of black than the shimmer of silver or gold jewelry.