Licensed from Columbia University Press
A necklace is an article of jewelry; which is worn around the neck. Necklaces are frequently formed from a metal chain; often attached to a locket or pendant. Necklaces can also be manufactured with cloth, and they sometimes contain rocks (particularly gems), wood, and/or shells. When worn high on the neck it is referred to as a choker.
Many Christians wear a cross or crucifix which differs in shape, size, material and color. Others wear the cross merely out of decoration and may not be Christian.
Historically women initially wore necklaces to draw attention to the cleavage region.
Necklaces
Necklaces have been worn throughout history, by both men and women, and have been used as marks of distinction in many cultures, including the ancient Hebrew culture. Necklaces, handsome and richly ornamented, were a principal part of the dress, both of men and women, among the ancient Egyptians; and some idea of the number of jewels they wore (remarks Sir G. Wilkinson) may be formed from those borrowed by the Israelites at the time of the Exodus, and by the paintings of Thebes. They consisted of gold or of beads, of various qualities and shapes, disposed according to fancy and enriched with jewels.Necklaces of gold thickly set with gems were worn by the Greeks and Romans of both sexes. There was a famous necklace of the most costly precious stones upon the statue of Vesta in Rome, to whose vengeance Zosimus attributes the tragic end of Serena, Stilicho's widow, who had despoiled her of it. By the command of Honorius she was strangled.
The necklace taken from the neck of the Hindoo King Jaipal, captured by Mahmud (A.D. 1001) was composed of large pearls, rubies, etc., and was valued at two hundred thousand dinars, or a good deal more than a hundred thousand pounds.
Homer mentions a necklace curiously wrought of gold interwined with amber, which Eurymachus presented to Penelope.
The back of a necklace is called a boob.
Pearl necklaces
Pearl Necklaces have been worn for hundreds of years. Today there are many styles from traditional to modern.
Choker A choker is 35 cm to 40 cm (14" to 16") long. Chokers sit on the base of the neck.
Princess Necklace A princess necklace is 45 cm to 50 cm (18" to 20") long. It is between choker and matinee length
Matinee Necklace A matinee necklace is 55 cm to 60 cm (22" to 24") long. It should sit at the top of cleavage
Opera Necklace An opera necklace is 75 cm to 90 cm (30" to 36") long and should sit at the breastbone
Sautoir or Rope Necklace A sautoir or rope necklace is any necklace longer than opera length
Dog Collar A dog collar necklace consist of multiple strands of pearls that lay close to the neck
Bib Necklace
A bib necklace is multiple strands of stepped pearls.
Graduated Necklace
In a graduated necklace, larger pearls in the middle gradually become smaller toward the clasp
Uniform Necklace Here, the pearls appear to be all the same size, although normally there is a slight difference towards the ends so they appear to be in proportion.
See also
- Affair of the diamond necklace
- bracelet
- choker
- Collar (jewelry)
- omega chain
- The Necklace
- Figaro chain
- Livery collar
- torc
- Spike band
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Last updated on Monday March 10, 2008 at 15:19:19 PDT (GMT -0700)
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