Pendant Necklace Gift Guide: Choosing the Right Style for Her

A pendant necklace gift works for a simple reason: it needs no sizing, it sits where everyone can see it, and the pendant itself says something about the person wearing it. The hard part is not finding a pendant, it is finding the right one. A quiet pearl and a glossy red heart on a black cord are both pendants, yet they suit two very different people. This guide sorts six pendant necklaces from our store by personality rather than by price, so you can match the gift to the woman you have in mind.

Start with how she already dresses

Before you look at a single pendant, picture what she reaches for in the morning. Jewelry that fits her existing wardrobe gets worn; jewelry that fights it ends up in a drawer. Three quick checks help:

• Which metal tone does she wear? If every ring and hoop she owns is gold-tone, a gold-tone pendant slots in at once. If she always wears silver-tone, choose a silver-tone chain.
• Does she wear plain or patterned clothes? A bold pendant on a plain top looks deliberate. A bold pendant on a busy print competes with it.
• Does she wear one necklace or several? A fine chain with a small pendant layers easily. A glossy statement pendant is usually worn alone.

With those answers in mind, the six picks below fall into four groups.

For the woman who likes things quiet and classic

The Gold Freshwater Pearl Pendant Necklace, Stainless Steel Chain is the safest place to begin. The product page describes a single freshwater pearl resting on a slim chain in a warm gold-tone finish, and calls it a good first piece of pearl jewelry. It is lightweight and designed to layer, and the page notes that freshwater pearls are natural, so shape, size and lustre vary slightly from piece to piece. That small variation is part of the charm: her pearl is never quite identical to anyone else's.

This is the pendant for the friend who wears a white shirt, a good knit and the same small hoops every day. It will not surprise her, but it will go with everything she owns, which is exactly what makes it a reliable gift.

For the woman who likes a little color

If she wears neutrals and wants one soft accent, look at the Pink Oval Stone Pendant Necklace, Stainless Steel Chain. A smooth oval stone in a soft blush pink sits in a slim gold-tone setting. The listing gives the chain length as 45 cm (18 in) with a lobster clasp, which places the stone just below the collarbone. The page suggests wearing it alone for a quiet color accent, or layering it with a shorter chain and a pearl strand.

The same design is also listed in other stone colors, which makes it easy to choose a shade that suits her. Because the stone is small and the setting is delicate, it suits someone who likes jewelry she can wear to the office as easily as to dinner.

For the woman who loves a motif

Some people simply like jewelry that is about something. Two pendants in our store lean into that.

The crown

The Gold Crown Pendant Necklace with Crystals is a small, detailed crown with an openwork design, with crystal accents along the arches and the base, hanging from a fine gold-tone chain. It feels playful and elegant at once. The page suggests wearing it alone so the crown stands out, and pairing it with small studs or hoops in a matching tone while keeping other jewelry minimal. It is a natural gift for someone who loves regal motifs, or for a birthday where a little sparkle is welcome.

The horse

The Gold Horse Pendant Cord Necklace, Adjustable Black Cord is the most characterful of the six: a glossy, puffy gold-tone horse on a sleek black cord, with a mirror-like finish. The cord is adjustable, so she can wear it long over a knit, shorter against bare skin, or doubled up. The listing calls it a cheerful gift for horse lovers and for anyone who enjoys quirky accessories. If you know a horse lover, this one will land. If you do not, it is still a good pick for a friend with a playful streak.

For the woman who wants a statement

A glossy pendant on a cord is a different mood from a dainty chain. The Red Heart Pendant Cord Necklace, Glossy Statement Necklace has a dark red heart with an irregular, sculptural shape and a high-shine finish, on a simple black cord. The page describes it as retro-inspired and says it works with jeans as well as with a slip dress. It looks best over a white tee, a black top or a chunky knit, where the red has room to stand out, and it is meant to hang alone with other necklaces kept to a minimum.

It is a good alternative to classic dainty jewelry if she already owns plenty of fine chains and would enjoy something with more attitude.

For the romantic

The Pink Crystal Heart Pendant Necklace with Silver-Tone Chain pairs a heart-shaped pink stone with a halo of clear zirconia stones, hanging from a silver-tone chain with a shimmering link. The page lists stainless steel construction and describes the necklace as a romantic pendant that is easy to wear every day. It rests just below the collarbone and, per the listing, the soft pink works with white, gray, navy and black. For someone who wears silver-tone jewelry and likes a little sparkle, this is the one.

Quick match: who gets which pendant

• Classic and minimal: the freshwater pearl pendant.
• Soft color, easy to layer: the pink oval stone pendant.
• Loves a motif: the crown, or the horse if she rides or simply likes it.
• Bold and graphic: the red heart on a black cord.
• Romantic, wears silver-tone: the pink crystal heart.

If you are still torn, think about the occasion. A graduation or a first job suits the pearl or the oval stone. A birthday with a playful friend suits the horse or the crown. An anniversary suits either heart, depending on whether she prefers glossy or sparkling.

Little details that make the gift feel considered

Pendants are easy to give, but a few choices separate a nice gift from a thoughtful one:

• Add a matching small earring. The product pages repeatedly suggest small studs or hoops in the same metal tone. A pair of simple gold-tone hoops next to a gold-tone pendant makes the gift feel complete.
• Think about layering. If she already wears a chain, the pearl and the oval stone are designed to layer, according to their listings. A statement cord pendant is usually better worn alone.
• Mind the neckline. The pearl, oval stone and crown are all described as working with round necks, V-necks and shirt collars. If she lives in crew-neck knits, any of them will show well.
• Check the care notes. Several pages suggest putting jewelry on after perfume, lotion and hairspray and taking it off before swimming, showering or sleeping. It is worth passing that on with the gift.

Where to see more pendants

These six are a small part of the range. The Pendant Necklaces collection brings together stone, pearl, crown, heart and cord styles in gold-tone and silver-tone, and the wider Necklaces collection adds chains, chokers and lariats if you would like to give a pendant with a plain chain to layer it with.

Pendant necklace gift FAQ

What length should a pendant necklace be?

For most pendants, a length that rests just below the collarbone is the easiest to wear and the easiest to give, because it works with most necklines. The Pink Oval Stone Pendant Necklace lists a 45 cm (18 in) chain, which sits there. Check the length on each product page and picture where it will fall on her.

Is a pendant necklace a good gift if I do not know her taste?

It can be, if you keep the design simple and match her usual metal tone. A small pearl or a soft colored stone is far safer than a bold motif. If you are unsure about gold-tone versus silver-tone, look at the earrings and rings she wears every day.

Can she wear a pendant necklace with other necklaces?

Yes, with some care. According to their product pages, the pearl and oval stone pendants are made to layer with a shorter chain, while the red heart and horse pendants work best worn alone so that the pendant stays the focus.