By Yoki, Infinite Gems Atelier
Necklace length is measured as the full circumference of the chain in centimetres, and the right length depends on where you want the piece to sit against the body. The most popular all-purpose length for women is about 40–42 cm, which rests at the base of the throat and suits almost every neckline, with the classic 45 cm “princess” length sitting a little lower, just below the collarbone; our diamond tennis necklaces are usually around 42 cm (about 16.5 inches). A choker sits high on the neck at 38 cm or under, and longer lengths of 50–60 cm fall onto the chest for a layered or statement look. Our pendant designs come on an adjustable chain with hook loops at 16, 17 and 18 inches, so the wearer can fine-tune the drop themselves. To find your own size, measure an existing necklace that sits well, or wrap a soft tape or a strip of paper around your neck at the height you want the piece to rest and add a little ease. At Infinite Gems every diamond tennis necklace and chain is made to your chosen length to order, so a piece ordered from Singapore, the Philippines, Qatar or the UAE sits exactly as intended.
How to choose your necklace length at home
Method 1 — measure a necklace you already own. Find a necklace that hangs exactly where you like it, lay it flat and measure it end to end — from the tip of the clasp to the far end — and that full figure in centimetres is the length to order. This is the most accurate method because it accounts for your own neck and how you prefer a piece to sit.
Method 2 — measure your neck, then add ease. Wrap a soft dressmaker’s tape or a thin strip of paper around the base of your neck where a chain would naturally rest. Read the figure in centimetres — most necks measure 32–38 cm. Then add ease for where you want the piece to fall: about 5–8 cm so the necklace sits comfortably at the base of the throat, more if you want it lower on the collarbone or chest. The total is your finished necklace length.
A note on drop. Every extra 2.5 cm of chain lowers roughly where the necklace sits by about the same amount, so the difference between 42 cm and 45 cm is the difference between sitting on the collarbone and just below it. When in doubt, size slightly longer — a longer chain can be layered or worn higher, and on eligible designs our atelier can shorten a chain far more easily than lengthen one.
Necklace length chart
| Length (cm) | Name | Where it sits | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 38 | Choker | Snug around the base of the neck | Open and off-shoulder necklines; a close, modern look |
| 40–42 | Collar / high (most popular) | Just at the base of the throat | Crew and boat necklines; the popular length for a diamond tennis necklace |
| 45 | Princess | Just below the collarbone | Almost every neckline; solitaire and pendant styles |
| 50–55 | Matinee | On the chest, above the bust | Business and higher necklines; a single statement strand |
| 60–70 | Opera | At or below the bust | High necklines and evening wear; long or doubled |
| 85+ | Rope | Well down the body | Layering, knotting or doubling for drama |
Lengths are the full chain circumference in centimetres. A diamond tennis necklace is most popular at around 42 cm (about 16.5 inches) so the line of stones sits flat across the collarbone; our pendant designs come on an adjustable chain with hook loops at 16, 17 and 18 inches so the drop can be changed at home. When between two lengths, choose the longer — it gives more ways to wear the piece.
Getting a diamond tennis necklace length right
A tennis necklace is a continuous line of diamonds, so — as with a tennis bracelet — length governs how the line sits. Worn too long, the strand rolls forward and the stones no longer face outward; worn at the right length it lies flat and even across the collarbone. For most people a length of around 42 cm (about 16.5 inches) sits beautifully at the base of the throat and just below, catching the light across the front — this is our most popular tennis-necklace length. Because every stone runs the full length of the piece, we set the length to order rather than resizing after the fact wherever possible, so an accurate measurement — or a favourite necklace to match — is the single most useful thing you can give us. We also offer an optional detachable one-inch (about 2.5 cm) section on our diamond tennis necklaces, so you can shorten or extend the piece yourself and keep some flexibility in how it sits. Our necklaces are priced from 5 carats, and the length you choose determines the exact stone count along the line.
Layering and pairing lengths
If you like to layer, the simplest rule is to separate each strand by about 5 cm so every piece is visible: for example 38 cm, 43 cm and 48 cm worn together. Pair a close collar or choker with a longer matinee or opera strand and let a pendant or a tennis section be the lowest, most visible layer. A single diamond tennis necklace at princess length also layers well above a longer plain chain. If you are building a layered look with more than one Infinite Gems piece, tell our team the lengths you have in mind and we will make each to complement the others.
Adjusting and certification
Many of our chains can have length added or removed by our atelier on eligible designs. Our pendant designs come on an adjustable chain with hook loops at 16, 17 and 18 inches (about 40.5, 43 and 45.5 cm), so you can change the drop yourself without any alteration, and for tennis necklaces we offer an optional detachable one-inch (about 2.5 cm) section for at-home flexibility. Beyond these built-in options, a fine chain is usually the simplest to shorten; a fully diamond-set tennis necklace can often be shortened by removing a section, but lengthening requires matched stones and is best specified when ordering — which is why choosing the right length at the outset matters most for these pieces. Every stone carries IGI certification (the centre stone on pendant pieces is IGI Certified for the Main Diamond; pavé and small-stone settings have an IGI Certificate available upon request), and any adjustment is done without compromising that grading. If you are unsure how much a chosen design can be adjusted, contact our team before ordering and we will confirm the window for that specific necklace.
Ordering into Singapore, the Philippines, Qatar and the UAE
Every Infinite Gems necklace is made to your specified length to order, so choosing accurately is the most important step — measuring a necklace you already love is the surest way. Production takes 20–25 working days and insured delivery a further 3–7 business days, tracked door to door. Singapore prices include GST and Hong Kong taxes; GCC duties are assessed on the shipment value (contact sales) and the Philippines ships via our appointed courier. Should the fit need adjusting after delivery, length adjustment applies to eligible designs — so a diamond necklace ordered from Doha, Manila, Dubai or Singapore sits exactly as one fitted in person.
Ready to choose? Browse our diamond necklaces, or start a bespoke piece made to your exact length.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know what length necklace to buy?
The easiest way is to measure a necklace you already own and wear at the height you like: lay it flat, measure it end to end in centimetres, and order that length. If you have no necklace to copy, wrap a soft tape or a strip of paper around the base of your neck, note the figure — most necks are 32–38 cm — and add about 5–8 cm of ease so the piece sits comfortably at the throat, or more to fall lower on the collarbone or chest. The total is your finished length. When choosing between two lengths, size longer: a longer chain can be worn higher or layered, and on eligible designs it is easier to shorten a necklace than to lengthen one.
What is the most popular necklace length for women?
The most popular all-purpose length is around 40–42 cm, which sits at the base of the throat and flatters almost every neckline; our diamond tennis necklaces are usually about 42 cm (about 16.5 inches), so the continuous line of stones sits neatly across the front. The classic 45 cm “princess” length falls a little lower, just below the collarbone. Shorter still, 38 cm or under wears as a choker for a close, modern look, while 50–60 cm falls onto the chest for a statement or matinee look.
How should a diamond tennis necklace sit?
A diamond tennis necklace should lie flat and even across the collarbone, with its continuous line of stones facing outward. For most people a length of around 42 cm (about 16.5 inches) achieves this — our most popular tennis-necklace length — resting at the base of the throat and just below so the line catches the light across the front. Worn too long, the strand rolls forward and the diamonds turn under; worn at the right length it stays flat and bright. Because each stone runs the full length of the piece, we set the length to order rather than resizing afterwards where possible, and any adjustment is made without affecting the IGI grading. We also offer an optional detachable one-inch (about 2.5 cm) section on tennis necklaces, so you can keep a little flexibility in the fit. If choosing between two lengths, size to the shorter so the line sits snug and flat.
Can a diamond necklace be shortened or lengthened?
In most cases a necklace can be adjusted on eligible designs. Our pendants come on an adjustable chain with hook loops at 16, 17 and 18 inches, so you can change the drop yourself, and our tennis necklaces offer an optional detachable one-inch (about 2.5 cm) section for at-home flexibility. Beyond these built-in options, a fine chain is usually straightforward to shorten, and a fully diamond-set tennis necklace can often be shortened by removing a section. Lengthening a diamond-set piece is more involved because it needs matched, IGI-certified stones, so it is best specified when you order — which is why choosing the right length at the outset matters most for tennis necklaces. Every stone is IGI certified and adjustments are made without compromising that grading. If you are unsure how much your chosen design can be adjusted, contact our team before ordering and we will confirm the exact window for that necklace.
Will my necklace fit correctly if I order from overseas?
Yes. Because each necklace is made to your specified length to order, one shipped to Singapore, the Philippines, Qatar or the UAE sits exactly as one collected in Hong Kong — provided you choose the length carefully, ideally by measuring a necklace you already wear. Delivery is fully insured and tracked door to door, taking 20–25 working days in production plus 3–7 business days in transit. Should the length need adjusting after delivery, length adjustment applies to eligible designs, so ordering a diamond necklace from abroad carries no fit risk. If you would like help choosing between lengths for your neckline, our team is glad to advise before you order.