In order to end up with the necklace best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.
Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of necklaces are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a necklace.
Research the market: Necklace essentials
The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the necklace market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:
Types: Necklaces are generally chains made from metal or strings threaded with beads, pearls or stones (precious and semi-precious). Chains can also have a locket or pendant suspended from them. Necklaces range from simple fine chains made of gold or silver, and complemented by platinum, white gold, and nickel-silver, to the most elaborate designs with pendants of stone clusters. The materials can be almost anything and the sparklers range from glass to the most precious of minerals, such as diamonds.
At the expensive end of the spectrum you will find diamonds and pearls but you will get just as much fun from rhinestones, emeralds, rubies or opals. Plastic and glass can be very creative and the use of natural materials like coral and amber will match those unusual outfits you need to accessorize.
Styles: Simple necklaces can be used to adorn any form of dress such as leisurewear, semi-formal attire or formal, black-tie outfits. Strings of pearls are also capable of multi-functional use; however some of the more outlandish designs lend themselves more to semi-formal occasions. Lavish stone-encrusted creations belong very much in the glamour arena and are rarely worn outside of special events and celebrations.
Sizes: Necklaces can, of course, be of any length. Some ethnic creations can hang down as low as your waist but shorter necklaces should be fitted to sit comfortably on the ends of the collarbones at the base of your neck. A badly fitting necklace can cause irritation.
Cost: Necklaces made from inexpensive materials should be correspondingly inexpensive unless they also have a designer label. The designer label models or gold, platinum, rubies and diamonds could cost you 500 times the price of more basic versions.
Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself
Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a necklace. For example, will you use the necklace only for special occasions?
You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.
| Have I worn a necklace before? |
| | If you have, work out what you did or didn't like about the necklace. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to find a better one, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient. |
| What clothing style am I complementing? |
| | Always consider how much display space is available and whether the necklace will be worn over clothes or against skin. If your necklace is a gift, it may be appropriate to buy something simple that can match any outfit, however, you may be trying to find a necklace to complement a specific outfit or dress. |
| Are allergies an issue? |
| | Few people are allergic to diamonds; however some metals can react adversely with certain skin-types. It's always better to check these things out especially if you are spending a considerable amount of money. |
| How much will a necklace cost? |
| | The materials used and the reputation of the designer will affect the price of a necklace, so it is worth working out the budget you can afford. |
Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.
Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of necklaces and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.
Video Links
Buyz123.com Research Links:DiamondRange of diamond necklacesClassic style diamond necklacesGeneralSelecting the right length necklacePick the ideal necklace for youWhat necklace should I wear with different necklines?All about necklacesOthersGemstone necklacesBeaded necklaces and othersLeather necklacesPearlRange of peal necklacesJapanese cultured pearl necklacesPrecious MetalYour guide to buying precious metal jewelryA range of precious metal necklacesPretty platinum necklacesSterling silver necklaces