There is a lot of jewelry for the neck area, allowing you to draw attention to the neckline and create a harmonious look. However, it is often quite easy to get confused with the names of accessories. And that can make it harder to follow the advice of designers. Therefore, let’s figure out what these decorations are and what is the difference between them.
Beads
We are talking about a product for the neck of rounded beads. Those can be either the same in shape and color or different. Beads have one or more threads at the base. Decoration comes with a lock, but its presence is optional.
Usually, the following materials are suitable for creating beads:
- various stones – natural and artificial;
- precious wood, specially treated to protect against moisture;
- corals;
- pearls;
- plastic;
- shells;
- bones;
- beads;
- metal;
- glass;
- amber (resin).
Usually, beads are considered inexpensive jewelry. However, now you can find beads even from precious stones. Such as emerald or sapphire, or ruby. Such beads will be quite expensive. They are very popular in the East and India. Beads are worn not only with dresses and suits. Today you can wear beads with jeans, with tracksuits. The fact that they are suitable mainly for mature women has long become a stereotype. A suitable decoration of this kind is possible for a young girl and even a child.
Pearls are often bought for weddings. And in China, beads made of jadeite and jade are highly valued. Their cost can be hundreds of thousands of dollars. So beads should not be underestimated.
Beads can also differ in the method of creation. It directly depends on the material of the base for the thread. For beads take:
- wire;
- fishing line;
- spandex (polyurethane material);
- simple thread;
- chain;
- rope.
Both the strength of the beads and their appearance may depend on what kind of base we are talking about. For example, the wire helps to give the product a strictly defined shape in accordance with the jeweler’s intent. But spandex is required when it is necessary for the decoration to stretch.
To connect the beads into one design, use a wire hook. This is the best solution when the beads do not have a through hole. Also, this option is perfect for a chain. And beads can also be welded directly onto the thread during creation. These beads even have a special name – “mardi gras”.
Beads may vary in style. For example, white pearls are a classic that will never go out of style. Cocktail decorations include large beads with decor in the form of chains or plastic transparent ones. They are perfect for an evening stroll.
There are also beads made of art glass. They are quite rare. Usually such products are characteristic of the avant-garde style. Hippies love beads: they use bone, wood and mother-of-pearl for jewelry. As a rule, such a product is usually quite positive.
The ethno style is characterized by beads made of metal or semi-precious stones. Felted products, that is, made from wool, can also be attributed to the same direction.
Rare types of beads
The most common varieties of this decoration are listed above. But there is also outright exoticism. For example, Hawaiian beads are made from artificial flowers. They are perfect for themed discos, festivals or different parties.
African beads are distinguished by bright colors and intricate patterns. They are made of glass, stone, wood or even paper.
Shambhala beads are very unusual. In fact, these are stone rosaries that are woven between rows of threads. Each stone, according to beliefs, has its own meaning. Beads have a sacred meaning, play the role of an amulet.
“Feeding beads” and “slingobeads” are another exotic option. It is traditionally worn by women during breastfeeding. As a rule, such beads are made of wood and wrapped with cotton threads. The product is always made from exclusively natural materials. Taking care of your child’s health is a priority. Slingobeads not only decorate, but also help to distract the child on the road or in line.
Of the exotic options, there are also collar beads. They are usually worn under the collar of a shirt, blouse. Perfect for office wear.
In our store you can buy pearl beads and beads made of precious stones. Please contact our stores for availability.
Necklace
We are talking about a neck decoration in the form of a hoop or chain. Differs in presence of an insert. The latter are created from precious stones in a frame, sometimes beads play their role. There are no strict restrictions. For insertion, you can take materials that are suitable for creating beads. The role of the frame is decorative fittings and special paws that hold everything.
Necklaces can be solid or detachable, rigid or flexible. A rich selection of models allows every lady to find something that will suit her taste.
The key feature of the necklace is that the bets are identical or similar in terms of size. It is from them that you can understand what is at stake. If there are inserts, then this is already a necklace.
The decoration itself is exquisite. It is also quite elegant, so necklaces are usually not worn for every day. When creating an image in general, it is best to maintain a balance.
The most famous decoration of this species was the “Heart of the Ocean” necklace. If you’ve ever watched the movie “Titanic” by James Cameron, you noticed a magnificent jewel that cost a fortune. In the film universe, the necklace was a legend. However, it has become a reality in our reality. Jeweler G. Winston, who was inspired by the context of this story, made a real treasure. He created a necklace, in the center of which was a huge 15 carat sapphire.
It should be noted that we are talking about a very expensive decoration in the literal sense of the word. Experts estimated it at $17 million. Gloria Stewart also wore jewelry when she decided to create a bright image for the Oscars. So attention to him was maintained for a long time.
Choker
A choker is another type of neck jewelry. Its fundamental feature is that the central part will stand out against the background of the base. And the main focus is on the center. There is no uniformity here.
In the central part of the choker there is usually a large stone, a pendant. Sometimes instead of them – massive links with minerals and other decorative elements. The style of the jewelry determines whether the stones will be set in a setting or simply hung. Both options can be interesting to beat.
Please note that the decoration may end in different ways. The chain is quite common. She keeps everything secure. But you can tie the decoration with a cord or an elegant ribbon. The choice is quite large, which opens up a lot of opportunities to create a suitable bright image.
There is also a division by type. In terms of design, chokers are:
- rigid, with a clearly defined structure;
- flexible.
The choice of a particular option is determined by your preferences and the image you create. The necklace can also be divided into types according to the material:
- leather;
- from precious metals.
You can, among other things, divide the accessory into subspecies according to content. Chokers are:
- with stone inserts;
- fantasy;
- with various finishes.
This list of types of chokers does not end there. They are also divided by design:
- clave. Such a choker most closely resembles a choker with a large element in the center. The gems are fixed elegantly with a cloth. In the central part there is a pendant that hangs on a dimple around the neck. It looks nice, but not everyone is comfortable wearing it, depends on personal convenience;
- bow-cleavage. Essentially a type of brooch that looks like a bow with a pendant attached. Everything can be attached to a choker. Historically, the fashion for this type of jewelry arose in Russia in the 18th century. And now we can say that the bow-cleavage is going through a renaissance. Although the decoration has undergone certain changes;
- riviera – a special choker, consisting of the same or very similar stones. The attachment point is hidden;
- clasp – a choker with a clasp in the center, which simultaneously performs a decorative function. Previously, the castle was the most expensive part of the decoration. Therefore, it was often specially demonstrated;
- plastron – a voluminous choker that can close a lot. They are usually worn with clothes to go out to create a bright image and attract attention. When creating a choker, different stones and glass are in demand.
Chokers are also legendary. The “Blue Beauty of Asia” became famous thanks to the incredibly huge sapphire. The gem weighs 392 carats, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world.
A stunning crystal is held on a chain, which is decorated with diamonds. It is difficult to imagine any other gem that could fully match this magnificence.
A rare choker was sold at auction in Switzerland right after the jewelers finished working on it. The unique jewel was valued at $17.3 million. And there is every reason to believe that the cost of such jewelry will only increase over time. Especially when the choker has its own history.
Length classification
There is also a division in length, which must also be taken into account. It is about the following:
- Collar is a product that reaches a length of approximately 30-35. Usually tight around the neck.
- Choker – a looser model, the length is 35-40 cm. As a rule, the decoration is placed above the collarbone.
- Princess is the name of a product with a classic look. In length, it can range from 43 to 48 cm.
- Matine – an elongated model that is kept fairly loose on the neck. Can be from 50 to 60 cm on average.
- Opera – another long version, reaches from 66 cm to 91. It can be in the form of beads, chains or necklaces.
- Rope is a special accessory, from 120 to 180 cm in length. It is usually worn, wound around the neck several times.
- Lariat – the length is the same as that of the rope. But the ends are not connected, and they are decorated with tassels.
As you can see, there are really a lot of jewelry for the neck. You can choose any to create a bright image. And now it will be easier for you to understand what exactly is in front of you.
Now you can easily distinguish one decoration from another. Naturally, there are still a lot of fantasy varieties of neck jewelry. However, to fit the story about all the subtypes within the framework of one article is an unrealistic task. Indeed, for the entire time of the existence of mankind, so many different decorations have been invented that you can easily write a whole book about them. But now you have the basic knowledge of chokers, necklaces and beads.
