Necklace Length Guide

Choker:
Depending on individual neck size, a choker is 14 to 15 inches long and rests on the collarbone.

Princess length:
An 18-inch length necklace of either graduated pearls or uniform pearls. Pictured below is a princess length topaz green freshwater cultured pearl necklace.



Matinee length:
A bit longer than princess, matinee length necklaces range from 20 to 24 inches. Pictured below is a 24" long cultured black/silver button shape pearl necklace.



Opera length:
From 30- to 36-inches long, opera length necklaces can be worn full-length or doubled. Pictured below is a 33" long, 13 mm flat coin freshwater cultured pearl necklace in a peach color.



Rope length:
Necklaces longer than opera, and worn knotted or with a shortener.

Dog Collar necklace:
A collar is a necklace composed of many strands, worn tightly around the neck. Pictured below is a 4-row 4 mm white cultured pearl dog collar with 14K vertical bars to enhance the necklace and to ensure stability of the pearls.



Bib necklace:
A bib necklace is a single necklace with strands of graduated lengths. Pictured below is a 5-row natural rose 6.5 mm - 7 mm cultured pearl necklace composed with a 14K enamel frontpiece clasp. The inner length of the necklace is 14" lengthening to 19" on the outermost strand.



Torsade:
Usually  composed of freshwater pearls, a torsade necklace is when multiple strands are twisted together and held with a multi-strand clasp. Pictured below is torsade of 6-rows of  Biwa pearls, tiger eye, and 14K gold beads.


Graduated length:
Necklace with cultured pearls of gradually decreasing size with the largest at the center and the smallest at the back. Pictured below is silver-white South Sea pearl necklace with pearls ranging from 11.5 mm up to 15 mm.



Uniform pearls:
A necklace in which the pearls appear to be the same size or with a 1/2 mm difference. Pictured below is a 16.5" necklace composed of uniform 9 mm and 9.5 mm pale peach color baroque flat-bottom freshwater pearls.




One final note: A choker for one woman may measure 14" (this would be a very thin woman), whereas for someone else, 16.5" is choker length - although technically, this is another category. A princess length of 18" may come down to mid-chest on that very thin woman, but fit like a loose choker on others. To find out your choker length, measure your neck with a tape measure, and adjust the tape to feel comfortable.

And the very last note: All the above necklaces are available in my store, as well as custom orders in any of the lengths described.

Maurice Goldman Fine & Estate Jewelry

Submitted by
Judith Isaacson
GIA Pearl Gemologist