Sterling silver chains are beautiful, high quality jewellery accessories that can compliment any outfit. Versatile and durable, you can enjoy many years of use and with a wide variety of styles and designs, the consumer is typically spoilt for choice when shopping for a new item.

A popular question regarding your jewellery purchase is as to what length is a suitable one. This is answerable to the wearer’s preference in most cases. A heavy weight chain looks aesthetically pleasing at a shorter length, just below the hollow of the throat. A good standard length is 14 inches for a shorter chain.

One must also take into account the use for the sterling silver chain. Will the item be worn on it’s own, or does the wearer intend to attach a pendant to it? A fine chain will be better suited to a small, delicate pendant, no matter the design. A large, heavy pendant on a fine chain will look overbalanced. By rule, the heavier the chain, the larger the pendant that should ideally be worn with it.

Large pendants look good either on a shorter length of chain, just below the hollow at the base of the throat, or for a bolder statement a long chain can be worn that extends to the mid-point of the upper arm. Pendants worn on lengths of sterling silver chain longer than this do risk being damaged as they will tend to swing more freely.

A fine chain is made more appealing by the addition of a small, finely made pendant. Larger, heavier chains will tend to overpower a smaller pendant, so take into account the size of the pendant you wish to attach when purchasing your chain. A sterling silver chain should ideally only be used for sterling silver pendants. Gold or other materials do not suit it as well and should be avoided.

Most chains will come in standard sizes of 14 inches, 16 inches, 18 inches, 20, 22 and 24 inches respectively. An long elegant neck is suited to either choker type jewellery or the longer varieties. A person who tends to have a shorter, thicker neck would do well to choose a longer length of chain as the shorter, choker type style will accentuate this feature.

A fine chain can be of the simplistic single link variety, though as the weight of the chain increases one can opt for the more complicated multi-linked chains or rope chains, which are a very attractive addition to any jewellery collection. Try bold combinations of bright eye-catching pendants with heavier weight chain.

Remember also that sterling silver chains can be used for bracelets and ankle chains. Charm bracelets are a very popular jewellery choice, as special occasions can be commemorated with the addition of a new charm, say for a birthday or an anniversary. Ankle bracelets are beautiful additions to your overall look and can be decorated with individual charms or accessories as to your own personal taste and can be as individual as you like.