How to Choose Mens Cufflinks?
18/12/2025
What is a Good Store to Buy Men’s Necklaces & Pendants in 2025?
Buying a men’s necklace should feel confident, not confusing. The best store for you depends on three variables: (1) build quality (metal, finish, clasp), (2) design language (minimal vs statement), and (3) buying experience (delivery, returns, trust). This guide compares dependable places to shop and buy men’s necklaces and pendants in 2025—multi-brand retailers, direct-to-brand labels, and independent houses—so you can shortlist quickly and buy well.
How to judge a store (in 90 seconds)
- Materials: Prioritise 925 sterling silver, 14k/18k gold, or high-grade 316L stainless steel. Look for hallmarks (“925”, “14K/18K”) and clear metal disclosures.
- Construction: Soldered links, consistent finishing, and robust clasps (lobster or solid spring ring). For pendants, check the bail opening fits your chain width.
- Sizing clarity: Men typically wear 20–22 in. chains for everyday; 18–20 in. for a closer fit; 24 in.+ for drop or layering. A 2–3 mm chain reads refined; 4–7 mm moves into statement territory.
- Aftercare & returns: Look for clear return windows, polishing guidance, and repair/warranty information.
- Photography & detail: Macro shots of clasp, hallmark, and pendant edge say more than lifestyle images alone.
Where to shop: dependable multi-brand retailers (UK & online)
MR PORTER — A tightly curated men’s edit with excellent product photography and straightforward UK returns. Good for comparing classic box/curb chains against designer pendants in one place. Mr Porter+2Mr Porter+2
Selfridges — Wide range of men’s necklaces online and the option to try on in London and regional stores. Useful if you want to check drape and clasp feel in person before committing. Selfridges+2Selfridges+2
Harrods — Designer-heavy assortment and polished in-store experience, plus complimentary UK delivery thresholds and free returns online. Ideal for luxury-leaning shoppers who want service. Harrods+2Harrods+2
SSENSE — Fashion-forward selection (from minimal to avant-garde) with international shipping to the UK; helpful when you’re hunting for directional designs or seasonal cult pieces.
When to use multi-brand stores: you want editorial curation, side-by-side comparisons, fast delivery, and easy returns. These retailers are also reliable for scale-accurate photos and detailed specs, making online selection less risky.
Styles That Shape Where to Shop
Not all men’s necklaces are created equal—and the type of chain or pendant you want should guide where you look.
- Everyday chains (2–3 mm cable, curb, box): For clean, layerable basics in 925 sterling silver or 316L stainless steel, check direct-to-brand labels (e.g., minimalist specialists) or multi-brand retailers for easy side-by-side comparison and returns.
- Statement links (4–7 mm curb, rope, figaro): If you want weight and presence, department stores and curated e-com excel—better spec sheets (width, gram weight) and robust clasps.
- Pendants with symbolism (medallions, crosses, dog tags, coins, saint or guardian motifs): Independent and artisan houses are strongest for meaning-rich designs, hand-finishing, and small-batch detail. This is also where Illicium London fits naturally—art-inspired motifs in 316L/925, designed to sit smartly on 20–24 in. chains.
- Gemstone or inlay pieces (onyx, malachite, mother-of-pearl): For consistent stone quality and secure bezels, lean toward established jewellers or reputable independents with macro photography and clear return policies.
- Fine gold (14k/18k) and heirloom tags: Prioritise luxury jewellers and flagship department stores for hallmarking, service, and long-term maintenance options.
Match the metal, width, and pendant style to the retailer’s strength, and you’ll shop faster—and better.
Direct-to-brand labels with clear design DNA
Miansai (Miami) — Known for clean, everyday men’s chains and pendants in sterling silver, gold vermeil, and some solid gold. Great proportioning for stackable 2–3 mm chains and understated pendants.
David Yurman (New York) — A luxury option with robust chain construction and the house’s signature cable language; box/curb chains and symbolic pendants with strong after-sales infrastructure.
When to go direct: you want a consistent aesthetic and a transparent material story from the source, often with service programs and long-term continuity on core designs.
Independent & artisan labels (distinct storytelling)
Independent studios can be the sweet spot between quality and individuality. Look for:
- Metal transparency: “925” or karat stamps, and notes on plating thickness if applicable.
- Small-batch finishing: Hand-polished edges, cast detail on reverse of pendants, and soldered bails that won’t distort over time.
- Meaningful design: Motifs with cultural, architectural, or historical references—pieces that feel collected, not merely consumed.
Marketplaces (e.g., Etsy) can surface excellent makers, but vet carefully: check seller history, macro photos, return policies, and hallmark close-ups.
What to buy (quick picks by use case)
- Your first everyday chain: A 2–3 mm cable or curb in 925 sterling silver (versatile with tailoring and tees). Miansai and Tom Wood both excel here.
- A statement necklace, still refined: 4–6 mm curb/figaro in sterling silver; pair with a plain pendant or wear solo. Harrods/MR PORTER edits make comparison simple.
- Heirloom-leaning luxury: David Yurman chains in silver or gold; substantial clasps and consistent finishing.
- Trend-aware or directional: SSENSE for season-led drops alongside minimalist options.
Materials & build quality: what actually matters when looking to buy men’s necklaces
925 sterling silver
Timeless, repairable, and easy to refinish. Sterling silver develops a natural patina; quick polishing restores brightness. Look for solid construction (not hollow) and soldered links for longevity.
14k/18k gold
Heirloom territory. Higher gold content (18k) has deeper colour and higher material value; 14k is tougher for daily wear. Always check gram weight and clasp robustness.
316L stainless steel
Highly corrosion-resistant and hypoallergenic; brilliant for water/sweat exposure and travel. Ideal if you want durability without heirloom pricing. Quality 316L takes a clean polish and keeps its finish with minimal fuss.
Plating and vermeil
If choosing plating, ask for thickness and base metal. Gold vermeil requires a sterling silver base with a thicker gold layer vs standard plated jewellery.
Clasps
A well-sized lobster clasp is the reliability benchmark; micro spring rings can be fiddly on thicker chains. For heavier links, a custom box clasp with safety is a plus.
Fit guide: lengths, widths, and pairing
- Lengths: 18–20 in. sits higher on the chest and works cleanly under an Oxford or knit; 20–22 in. is the daily sweet spot; 24–26 in. offers a looser, pendant-friendly drop.
- Widths: 2–3 mm = subtle and smart; 3–4 mm = noticeable but still refined; 5–7 mm = statement; 7 mm+ = bold.
- Pendants: Match bail opening to chain width; visually, a pendant usually looks balanced on a chain one size narrower than you’d choose for a standalone chain.
- Layering: Start with a 2–3 mm base chain at 20 in., then add a pendant on 22–24 in. Keep metals consistent for a streamlined look.
Shopping in London: try-on advantages
Nothing beats confirming drape and comfort in person. Selfridges and Harrods both offer substantial jewellery floors where you can check weight, clasp action, and pendant balance on your frame before buying—then order online later if you prefer.
Where Illicium fits (a refined option among many)
Illicium London sits in the independent, design-driven space—ideal if you want art-inspired men’s necklaces that balance everyday practicality with storytelling. Collections lean on 316L stainless steel and 925 sterling silver to achieve durability (water/sweat resistance, hypoallergenic comfort) without losing detail. The design language draws from art history, classical motifs, and architecture, so jewellery pieces read as considered rather than generic.
Who it suits: professionals and creatives who want distinctive pendants for men and well-proportioned chains that pair with tailoring Monday-Friday and still feel relevant off-duty. If you like the idea of a necklace that says something—without shouting—Illicium is a smart shortlist candidate.
How to shop Illicium effectively
- Start with a 20–22 in., 2–3 mm chain as a daily foundation; add a motif pendant at 22–24 in. for layered depth.
- For low-maintenance travel wear, pick 316L; for classic polish and future refinishing, pick 925 silver.
- Use product pages with macro angles and clasp shots to confirm finishing, and check the care guidance for long-term sheen.
A practical, step-by-step buying checklist
- Define the metal (316L for durability; 925 for classic silver; 14k/18k for heirloom).
- Pick the length (start with 20–22 in.; size up for pendants).
- Choose a width (2–3 mm everyday; 4–7 mm statement).
- Confirm clasp & construction (lobster clasp, soldered links, clear hallmark).
- Review returns & support (multi-brand stores excel here; independents often offer personal sizing help).
- Compare three options in your cart (one minimalist, one statement, one in-between).
- Buy once, wear often—a well-chosen chain should work with tees, shirts, and knitwear.
Example shortlists (by style and budget)
- Minimal daily chain, sensible spend: Miansai sterling silver cable or curb (2–3 mm) for layering potential and clean finishing. Miansai
- Scandi-clean statement: Tom Wood Curb Chain M or Frankie Chain for crisp machining and modern locks. Tom Wood Project+1
- Luxury heirloom: David Yurman chain or pendant—robust clasps, enduring designs, strong service network. davidyurman.com+1
- Curated browse with fast UK delivery: MR PORTER’s men’s necklaces section to compare brands like the above side-by-side. Mr Porter
- In-person try-on: Selfridges or Harrods if you prefer to assess weight and drop before buying online. Selfridges+1
Final thoughts
The “best” store isn’t a single address; it’s the one that aligns with your material priorities, design taste, and service expectations. If you want breadth and frictionless returns, start with MR PORTER, Selfridges, Harrods, or SSENSE. If you value a consistent aesthetic language, explore Miansai, Tom Wood, or David Yurman. If you’re after narrative-driven design with durable materials, add Illicium London to your shortlist.
Whichever route you take, get the fundamentals right—metal, length, width, and clasp—and your necklace will become an everyday essential, not a once-in-a-while experiment.
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