Pendants: what to choose and how to pair them with a chain

Pendants are sold on their own but worn on a chain – and the two are rarely bought together. So the first question isn't design; it's whether they'll fit together at all.

The bail: the one thing that decides whether a pendant will go on your chain

The bail is the little loop the chain passes through. You almost never see it in photos, yet it's exactly what determines which chain will work.

• A narrow bail only takes a fine chain. A thick Bismarck chain simply won't go through.
• A wide bail on a thin chain lets the pendant swing and turn freely – it won't stay facing forward.
• A fixed bail (one that doesn't move) needs a round chain rather than a flat one; otherwise the pendant will sit sideways.

Which weave goes with what is covered in a separate guide: chain weaves.

Pendant size and chain length

A large pendant on a short chain looks heavier than it is; a small pendant on a long chain gets lost. In practice, one simple principle works: the longer the chain, the larger the pendant can be.

For lengths, see our size guide – it has a table. What to wear with different necklines: necklaces and necklines.

Browse: All pendants, Gold-tone pendants, Silver-tone pendants, 18K gold-plated pendants.

Pendants with meaning

A pendant is the only piece of jewellery that can carry a message. That's exactly why it makes a safe gift – you don't need to know their size, and the meaning lasts.

• Initial. The most personal option, and it doesn't require you to know anything about their taste.
• Zodiac sign. All you need is their date of birth.
• Heart or symbol. The most neutral of all – it works even if you don't know the person well.

Browse: Initial pendants, Zodiac pendants, Heart jewellery, Cross pendants.

Why a chain breaks right under the pendant

All day long, a pendant moves back and forth over the same spot on the chain. Metal rubs against metal there, and that's precisely where the chain gets thinner – not at the clasp, as people usually assume.

• A heavy pendant on a thin chain is the most common cause. The chain isn't snapped – it's worn through.
• The gold plating wears off there first – even when the rest of the chain looks brand new.
• The answer is a thicker chain, not a more expensive one. The material makes no difference here; the thickness does.

What happens to plating and how to tell wear from build-up: jewellery plating and if your jewellery has darkened.

Care

Clean the back of a pendant, not just the front. The back touches your skin all day, and that's where moisturiser and sweat build up – which is also where darkening starts.

The full routine is covered separately: jewellery care.

Frequently asked questions