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Necklace and bracelet size guide

On Maui or at home, an 18 inch chain sits at the collarbone and is the most common length; 16 inches sits at the base of the neck, and 20 to 24 inches fall lower toward the bust line. For a bracelet, measure the wrist just below the wrist bone and add a little room; most women's bracelets are 6.5 to 7 inches.

Greenleaf guides 3 min read

Where 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 inch chains sit, from the base of the neck to the bust line

Chain and bracelet lengths are given in inches, measured end to end with the clasp included. Here is where each length sits, and how to measure before you choose.

Where each chain sits

Where 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 inch chains sit, from the base of the neck to the bust line
16 inches
At the base of the neck.
18 inches
At the collarbone. The most common length.
20 inches
Just below the collarbone.
22 inches
Between the collarbone and the bust.
24 inches
Around the bust line.

These are the positions on an average build, and they change from person to person. Guides agree closely on 16 to 20 inches and differ by an inch or so at 22 and 24. For men, 20 inches is the most common length, and 24 inches is popular with a pendant.

Measuring for a necklace

  1. Use string or a soft tapeWrap it around the neck where you want the necklace to rest.
  2. Add one to two inchesThat leaves room to move, and for the weight of a pendant.
  3. Or measure one that fitsOpen the clasp, lay the necklace straight and measure end to end, clasp included.
  4. Between two lengths, take the longerA chain is easier to shorten than to lengthen.

Pendants hang lower

A pendant hangs below the point where its chain rests. Add the pendant's own drop, from the top of the bail to the bottom of the pendant, to see where it will sit. On a longer chain a pendant also moves more as you walk.

See all necklaces

Bracelet sizes

Most women's bracelets are 6.5 to 7 inches long. The right one is your wrist measurement plus a little room.

Measuring a wrist with a soft tape just below the wrist bone

Measuring a wrist

  1. Measure just below the wrist boneWrap a soft tape or a strip of paper around the wrist where a bracelet sits, snug but not tight.
  2. Add a little roomJewelers' advice runs from a quarter of an inch to an inch; about half an inch is the most common.
  3. For a tennis bracelet, keep it closeIt should stay in place but move freely, with room for about one finger underneath.
  4. Between two sizes, take the largerOr measure a bracelet that fits, laid flat, end to end.

See all bracelets

Bangles

A bangle that slips on has to pass over the hand, so it is sized around the widest part of the hand rather than the wrist. A hinged bangle opens, so it is sized to the wrist. The surest way is to try one on.

What we would do: measure a necklace or bracelet that already fits and tell us the length. Ask us the length of any chain in the case, and we will measure it for you.

Sources

Pieces in this guide

Common questions

What is the most common necklace length?

18 inches, which sits at the collarbone. 16 inches sits at the base of the neck, and 20, 22 and 24 inches fall progressively lower toward the bust line.

Is a necklace length measured with the clasp?

Yes. Chain lengths are measured end to end with the clasp included.

How do I measure for a necklace?

Wrap string or a soft tape around the neck where you want the necklace to rest and add one to two inches, or measure a necklace that already fits, laid straight with the clasp included.

What size bracelet do I need?

Measure the wrist just below the wrist bone, snug but not tight, and add a little room. Advice runs from a quarter of an inch to an inch; about half an inch is the most common. Most women's bracelets are 6.5 to 7 inches.

How should a tennis bracelet fit?

Close enough to stay in place but loose enough to move, with room for about one finger underneath.

How is a bangle sized?

A slip-on bangle has to pass over the hand, so it is sized around the widest part of the hand. A hinged bangle opens and is sized to the wrist.

More guides

Every piece on our site is in the case at the Shops at Wailea, open daily from 10am–9pm. Come in and try it on, call us at (808) 874-1118, or book a video call from home.