When you start making your own jewellery one of the hardest things can be getting the length of your piece correct. If you are making a necklace for yourself you can simply hold it on in front of a mirror and add the clasps when you have it looking perfect. However, once you start making for other people you need to follow some guidelines so people know what they are buying. People come in different shapes and sizes, as do necklaces, so even within these standard measurements there is room for variation.

NECKLACE LENGTHS

COLLAR — 12/13 inches                                                                                                                    A necklace of three or more strands worn close on the neck.  Collars are usually made up of three or more strands and lie snugly on the middle of the neck. Very Victorian and luxurious, collars go best with elegant V-neck, boat neck or off the shoulder fashions.
CHOKER — 14/16 inches
A uniform necklace that drops to just above the collarbone. A choker is perhaps the most classic and yet versatile of all the single strand lengths. A simple choker can go with virtually any outfit from casual to fancy evening wear and just about any neckline imaginable.
This is a good necklace length for a child. This way the necklace has "growth room".
PRINCESS— 17/19 inches
The princess length necklace is best suited for crew and high necklines. It also complements low plunging necklines.
It is a perfect support for a pendant.
MATINEE — 20/24 inches
Longer than the choker, and just a bit shorter than an opera length, the matinee necklace is the right choice for casual or business dressing.
OPERA— 28/34 inches
The opera necklace is the queen of all the lengths. When worn as a single strand, it is refined and perfect for high or crew necklines. When doubled upon itself, it serves as a versatile two strand choker.
This is the most common length for a necklace.
LARIAT or ROPE— Over 45 inches
A necklace that is not joined at the ends, but tied in a knot or wrapped around the neck Dripping with elegance and sensuously sexy, the pearl rope was a favourite of Coco Chanel.
Clasps placed in strategic locations around the necklace will enable you to break it down into multi-strand necklace and bracelet combinations.
For those looking for the complete wardrobe, this length is a must.
Lariats are at least 48 inches long, with the ends left unattached for knotting or wrapping around the neck.

NECKLACE STYLES

UNIFORM: A necklace of any length with equal sized beads throughout.
GRADUATED: A necklace of gradually increasing sized beads, with the smallest near the clasp, and the largest at the centre.
BIB: A necklace with three or more stands, with each successive strand longer than the one above it.

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RUNNING WILD JEWELLERY