What is the Difference Between a Pendant and a Necklace?
Fine jewelry is a world with a very extensive vocabulary that describes the wide range of pieces available. Even so, these terms can be very confusing, especially for those who have just started buying jewelry. Some words are the same, and sometimes they are even used incorrectly. So this guide helps to explain the difference between a pendant and a necklace.
Are Pendants and Necklaces the Same?
No—they are different.
What Is a Necklace?
A necklace is any jewelry piece that is worn around the neck. For example, a plain gold chain that has no charms or decorations is a necklace. It is the base piece that can be used by itself or as the foundation to which you can add other elements, such as a pendant.
A chain is not necessarily a plain and simple piece to be considered a necklace. For instance, a chain with diamond stations or other decorative elements all the way through its length can still be regarded as a necklace. These decorations bring fashion and shine to the piece while the piece basically is a necklace.
Please, let me know if you want me to merge this with the previous section and go on to the paragraph “What is a Pendant?”.
Asymmetrical Diamond Station Necklace :
If the decorative elements are part of the chain itself, and not different pieces hanging from it, the jewelry would still be considered a necklace.
What Is a Pendant?
A pendant is a type of jewelry made to be suspended from a chain or a necklace; although, it can be perfectly standalone as well. In other words, a pendant is interchangeable between various necklaces as long as the bail - the tiny loop that lets the chain pass through - is sufficiently large to accommodate your chosen chain.Choosing the right Kids Rings ensures both comfort and style for little hands.
Can a Pendant Be a Necklace?
No—a pendant alone is not a necklace. One way you can think of it is this: a pendant is merely a charm, and a necklace is the chain that carries it.
Nevertheless, the words are frequently combined when describing jewelry, like “pendant necklace.” Here, the usage is accurate as it denotes a necklace carrying a pendant. For instance, check out this one of ours:
Just look at our A Walk on the Moon Australian Opal Necklace to see an example. The name is spot-on since the item is a chain necklace, and it also contains a pendant with a bail (or jump ring) that makes the opal move smoothly along the necklace. Such a layout turns it into an opal pendant necklace. If one were to call it merely an “opal pendant”, it would be misleading as it would suggest that the pendant can exist without the chain. At the same time, “pendant” here is basically a modifier, telling us what kind of necklace it is.
On the other hand, our Carina Nebula Australian Opal Necklace is a good example of a piece that is not a pendant necklace. The Carina Nebula necklace boasts both crystal opal and diamonds, which makes it an opal necklace, as the gemstones are set along the chain and don't move.If you’re planning to buy a ring, this guide on Types of gold jewellery rings will help you choose the perfect style.
Is it really that important if I refer to it as a pendant or a necklace?
To be honest, not really. It would be great if everyone used the right words, but jewelry terms are often thrown around casually. Most of the time, calling a piece a pendant or a necklace will not be a problem.
When could it be important?
You could consider the words when buying or making jewelry to avoid misunderstandings. A mix-up could result in receiving something that is not what you thought it would be. Double-check that you and your jeweler share the same understanding before the order is placed.
Briefly:
- A necklace is something that you wear around your neck.
- A pendant is something that is attached to a necklace.
- If a pendant is attached to a necklace, it is correct to call it simply a necklace, or more specifically, a pendant necklace.
Summary:
At NIXIN Jewelry, we produce everything: opal pendants, opal necklaces, and opal pendant necklaces. No matter what you decide to call it, our aim is the same—assisting you in finding a piece that perfectly fits your personality. Come and see our range and pick your dream opal necklace!Learn How to Care and Clean Your Artificial Jewelry: Tips and Tricks to keep your jewellery looking brand new.
