Since pre-historic times jewelry has played a very significant role in several communities and cultures.
Although nowadays they are worn as a fashion statement that also holds a lot of symbol and meaning based upon what one is what and where is it being worn. Two types of jewelry that is confused between is a necklace and a chain
Key Takeaways
- A necklace is a type of jewelry worn around the neck, while a chain is a piece of jewelry that can be worn as a standalone accessory or used to hold a pendant or charm.
- A necklace is more ornate and decorative than a chain, while a chain is simpler and more practical.
- Necklaces are more expensive and made with precious metals and gemstones, while chains can be made with various materials and are more affordable.
Necklace vs Chain
Necklace can be simple or elaborate, and can be worn for a wide range of occasions, from everyday wear to special events. Necklaces can also have cultural or symbolic significance. Chains can be used for a variety of purposes, such as securing a locket or pendant to be worn as a necklace, or for holding a pocket watch.
A necklace in prehistoric times played a key role in certain cultures over the world. Necklace even to this date provides an individual with extensive expression, along with being a social and status symbol.
A necklace is wrapped around one’s neck these days. They are made up of precious metals and stones.
A chain is a sleek-looking piece of jewelry that is made up via connecting two or more links. a chain is a single piece of jewelry that can be worn on its own however it is also worn with charms and pendants.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | Necklace | Chain |
|---|---|---|
| Breadth | Thicker | Narrow or thin |
| Worn | Neck jewelry | Can be worn on the neck, wrist, and ankle |
| Design | Heavier form of a chain with additional designs or work | Chainlink |
| Structure | Rigid | Flexible |
| Attachment | Consists of a fixed pendant or design welded onto the chain | Detachable charms and pendants can be added |
| Convenience | Typically not a piece of everyday wear jewelry | Designed for daily wearing |
| Jewelry Type | Heavyweight jewelry | Lightweight jewelry |
What is Necklace?
A necklace is a piece of jewelry worn by women around their necks. A necklace can be a piece of artificial jewelry or jewelry made up of precious metals and stones.
A necklace is popularly made up of precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum, using these materials makes the necklace a very highly valuable piece of jewelry. Necklace is also used as a wealth and status symbol.
A necklace originally comprises a chain or a band that is layered around the neck. The chain further has permanently welded attachments that provide the necklace with a unique design.
These attachments can either be made up of precious metals same as that of a necklace or precious stones such as diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, pearls, and many more.
Initially, in pre-historic times, necklaces were originally made up using tones, bones, and feathers. That has been replaced by metals in today’s time. The length of a necklace can vary from being a very short necklace known as a choker or a dog collar.
It can also be longer that can be up to the length of one’s waist. A necklace is worn as a state piece by individuals. Its unique design bears the individual with attention and appreciation.
What is Chain?
A chain is a piece of jewelry that is more worn around the neck. A chain is worn by both men and women. The structure of a chain is formed via linking or connecting pieces or metals or nonmetals they are designed strategically of similar shape and size.
A chain is made up of two or more links that are connected. The structure of a necklace that is composed of links and therefore has several joints gives it a very flexible structure.
A chain on itself does not have any additional attachment apart from a clasp that is used to fasten it. However, temporary attachments such as charms or pendants can be added to a chain.
A chain is worn over the individual’s neck however it can also be worn on wrists, ankles, and waist. Chains are majorly worn for aesthetic value.
The linkage that is used to construct a chain can be of several types such as trace, rope, rolo, Figaro, Singapore, and many more. All these linkages have different mechanisms and structures.
Chains are a very lightweight piece of jewelry that is preferred to be worn as daily wear.
Main Differences Between Necklace and Chain
- A necklace is a piece of jewelry that is worn over an individual’s neck, whereas a chain is a piece of jewelry that can be worn on the wrist, ankle, and neck of an individual.
- A necklace is thicker in breadth than a necklace. Whereas a chain is much thinner and sleek looking.
- A necklace is a heavier version of a chain with additional design work permanently engraved or welded into the neckpiece. However, a chain is formed up of an interconnected chain link that is made up of two or more links.
- A necklace has a more rigid structure with not much flexibility as a chain however as it consists of two or more links it is flexible and durable.
- A necklace does not consist of any additional attachment all the designs and stones are permanently attached to the neckpiece and are presented as a whole. Whereas, a chain has no additional attachments; however external removable attachments such as pendants and charms can be added to a piece of chain.
- A necklace being a heavier piece of jewelry is not suitable for everyday wear. Whereas a chain being more lightweight and sleek looking is more appropriate for a piece of everyday jewelry.
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7540339/
- https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/09590551211245416/full/html?mobileUi=0&fullSc=1&mbSc=1&fullSc=1&fullSc=1&fullSc=1&fullSc=1
Last Updated : 23 July, 2023
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
