Chains are some of the most stylish and easily accessible jewelry items you can wear. Pendants are the most personable and individualized jewelry items that really show off your sense of self. Put them together for the most powerful combination possible.

But you can’t just throw any pendant onto any chain and expect it to work out. There are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind to make sure you're amplifying your look rather than subtracting from it.

Don’t know where to start? Here are some tips and some iced-out combinations hand-selected by us.

How To Pair Chains and Pendants

The most important factor to consider when pairing a pendant with a chain of your choice is matching: you want to make sure the metals and colors complement each other.

An easy way to do this is by making sure the chain color matches the color of the pendant. For example, if the chain you’re looking to wear is white gold, you want the plating on the pendant to be white gold as well. It just helps to make everything look clean and uniform rather than mixed and matched.

You also want to make sure you strike a balance between the chain and pendant. In other words, you don’t want one to outshine the other. You can do this by making sure the chain isn’t too thick or bulky (usually chains under five mm are perfect for most pendants).

Finally, think about how the piece will feel as you wear it. If you’re sporting a giant pendant with tons of diamonds, it will weigh you down more than a small locket. The longer the chain, the more the pendant will knock against your body as you walk. You might want a smaller chain for bigger pendants to keep them more in line with your clothing.

Iced Out Combinations

You can use those tips to craft your own combination of chain and pendant, but if you don’t know where to start, that’s perfectly fine. These combinations can work for any occasion and fit any personality type.

White Gold Franco Chain and Diamond Cross Pendant

Franco chains are one of the most classic link varieties featuring rope-like links that intertwine with one another. This 3mm white gold Franco chain is a perfect base for pretty much any type of pendant on the market, but it might look especially good with a Diamond Cross pendant.

3mm Round Cut Diamond Tennis Chain White Gold

Cross pendants are a way to show your devotion to faith without sacrificing your style. You can keep your religion close to you at all times while still looking tight at the next function.

The white gold pairs perfectly with the handset diamonds in the cross pendant, giving you a clean look that feels nuanced and professional. This is a look for people who are trying to make subtle waves, giving their outfits a small boost..

Round Cut Diamond Tennis Chain and Dripping Heart Pendant

Tennis bracelets have taken the jewelry world by storm ever since famous tennis player Chris Evert’s wardrobe malfunction in the late 80s. And since then, the tennis chain can be used in more than just bracelets.

Tennis chains are great because they’re one of few chain variations that combine both diamonds and gold plating. The traditional gold-colored plating that engulfs the diamonds makes for a look that combines tradition and modernity into a perfect marriage.

That’s why the Dripping Heart pendant looks so great with this chain. For one, its large surface area allows for more gems to be handset on its outside layer. But this unique design combines the finesse of white gold with the classic feel of traditional gold to perfectly coincide with the chain.

Wear your heart on your chest with this combination that’s perfect for a night at the club or even a fancy dinner.

Micro Cuban Chain and Lock Pendant

Cuban chains used to be called Miami chains because of their rise in popularity at Florida beaches in the 1970s. But you don’t need to live in a beach town to make this type of chain work with pretty much any type of fit.

Golden Cuban chains are reminiscent of the pieces that hip hop legends used to wear during the fruition of the genre, and the classic look of a gold chain is easily recognizable. They look so great that people are going to want to steal it right off of your neck.

Protect your gear with a lock pendant that shows people you’ve got secrets you aren’t willing to share. With traditional gold plating, this bold chain matches this classic chain perfectly.

Rose Gold Round Cut Tennis Necklace and Poptart Pendant

Most people think that chains can only be white or brassy based on the color of gold. But rose gold is becoming increasingly popular because it feels so different compared to these other two hues. It’s made by combining the gold alloy with copper and silver.

If you’re looking for something that’s sure to turn heads no matter where you go, pair this rose gold necklace with the Poptart pendant. The pink stones on the chain coincide with the accent stones on the pendant in perfect harmony, giving you a match made in heaven.

Wear this pendant if you don’t take yourself too seriously and want to have a little bit of fun the next time you go out and about.

Franco Chain and World is Yours Pendant

While the franco chain looks prestigious in white gold, it also looks just as amazing when you keep it nice and classic. Golden Franco chains are a clean and contemporary way to make your outfit feel brand new.

But they can be a little bit subtle on their own. If you want to take your Franco chain to the next level, complement it with a World Is Yours pendant. This shows people that the world really does revolve around you.

It’s a stunning 3D pendant that feels unlike any other. With 360 degrees of surface area, it means there are 360 degrees worth of gemstones all around the surface. There’s no better way to show people who really runs the world without having to ever open your mouth.

Better Together

Chain and pendant combinations are a great way to make any outfit look exceptional, but you want to make sure you’re doing it right. For some rules of thumb, you want to make sure the metals match, the pieces balance each other, and ensure that they’re comfortable to wear.

If you don’t even know where to start, every single one of these combinations is a surefire way to get people talking. If you start off with one of these predetermined looks, it might give you some ideas to create your own combinations in the future.

 

Sources:

How the Tennis Bracelet Got Its Name | Gemological Institute of America 

The fascinating appeal of Cuban link chains reigns high in 2020! | Jewel Hero.

Platinum vs. White Gold vs. Yellow Gold vs. Rose Gold | Diamond Pro