The best men’s necklaces for off-the-chain accessorising
Men’s necklaces and chains can provide just the right flashy finishing touch to your outfits. Here’s GQ’s pick of the best
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What makes a man’s necklace go from something shiny in a shop window to a piece that you want to wear every day and with everything? That depends on who you’re talking to. If you ask a deacon, a cross pendant is the only accessory that’ll do. Consult an athlete and they may agree that only something that brings with it some element of belief or luck will do, but plenty will also go minimalist with a pendant-free gold chain. Ask us, and we say wear whatever floats your boat...within reason.
Like a lovely ring, a single earring or a sinuous bracelet, a necklace has the ability to elevate your every look, but unlike most other things in your wardrobe, it also has the potential to become a signature of sorts; something you wear so often that you — and even others — come to associate with your own sense of self. Of course, there are also some more gemstone-encrusted sparklers you can swap out your everyday chain necklace for on special occasions.
Worn under a tuxedo look as a down-to-earth reminder of your day-to-day style or atop your white T-shirt à la Paul Mescal’s Connell in Normal People, a favourite necklace can be with you through day to evening. In the list to follow, we're sure you'll find something to love, whether it’s a new box chain (with or without a St. Christopher charm) or a statement piece such as a choker.
How did we choose our collation of necklaces?
So, how exactly do we choose what constitutes the best necklaces for men in 2024? Simple. We know our stuff, we do our research, and we get out there to experience as much product as possible.
Our section head of menswear for GQ Recommends, Heidi Quill, is obsessed with clothes. Joining British GQ in 2021, Heidi might primarily look after clothing content, but she spends a healthy amount of time up to her neck in samples, checking product for the very best quality, price and design, all before recommending it to you. That includes knowing everything there is to know about an excellent linen suit.
See? We at GQ know our stuff. With the help of Heidi and freelance contributor (and part-time jeweller, FYI) Toby Standing, we've compiled a collection of the biggest name in jewellery, unsung heroes and designer offerings to bring you a well-rounded image of what are truly the best necklaces for men in 2024.
MORE MEN'S JEWELLERY: Men’s Jewellery Brands | Rings | Bracelets | Earrings | Watches | Necklaces
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Miansai
1/21Miansai
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
If you’ve been searching for the ultimate necklace that will work with literally any 'fit during any season, Miansai’s Cuban silver chain is exactly what you’ve been looking for. Plain and simple, it boasts an elegant 4mm curb link design and a lobster clasp for the fastening. Handcrafted in Italy, it promises to retain its quality for years on end, making it very cost-effective, especially if you wear it every day.
Tom Wood
2/21Tom Wood
- Material: Rhodium-plated sterling silver
- Gemstones: Green malachite
Believe it or not, Tom Wood (the imaginary jewellery designer) doesn’t actually exist. Founded by Mona Jensen, Tom Wood (the very real jewellery brand) has been around for ten years, and is the purveyor of some of the finest necklaces that the world has ever seen. The ‘Cushion’ is one of its most popular pieces. Crafted from rhodium-plated sterling silver, it’s finished with a thick slice of green malachite that will never tarnish.
Needles
3/21Needles
Needles
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
Simple, but playful. When you’re dealing with a motif as iconic as the simple smiley, it’s best not to mess with it. If bringing some joy to your wardrobe is what you’re after, do it literally with this beaming pendant from renowned Japanese brand Needles.
Mejuri
4/21Mejuri
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
A window of black onyx is framed by yellow gold in this subtle, medium-length twist on a simple chain. Decadently ridged to the back in that same solid 14kt gold, this is a stupendously well-made piece to be layered with a shorter chain over a T-shirt.
Dower & Hall
5/21Dower & Hall
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
How is something so indented and misshapen also so charming? Well, perhaps we should turn to Stonehenge to answer that question. Dower & Hall have taken inspiration from Stonehenge's mysterious rocks to forge a unique take on an ID/dog-tag-style necklace.
The Ouze
6/21The Ouze
The Ouze
- Material: .925 Sterling Silver
- Gemstones: Blue and white sapphires
The Ouze make some of the most handmade, natural looking pieces of jewellery available, which is no surprise considering each piece is completely one of a kind. The brand guarantees sustainable and ethical sourcing of gemstones meaning that you can rest assured that the jewellery you wear isn’t contributing to dangerous working conditions or practices. This is a style that is subtle, while packing a punch thanks to those glistening sapphires.
Puckr
7/21Puckr
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
A small curb chain necklace that sets itself apart from other men’s chains with a tragic sour-faced star pendant, this piece by Puckr has chubby cheeks and a desolate outlook on life...just like you! Available in different lengths of chain: 16, 18 or 20 inches.
Acne Studios
8/21Acne Studios
Acne Studios
- Material: Silver-tone and Green Brass
- Gemstones: None
Acne Studios isn’t a brand to shy away from impactful and statement designs, and this choker-style necklace is no different. Bold, chunky links are highlighted with faux pearls and glints of metallic green, making for a piece of jewellery that brings an element of drama to any outfit it's worn with.
Mateo
9/21Mateo
- Material: 14kt yellow gold
- Gemstones: None
Mateo's fine jewellery collections are immaculately crafted from 14kt gold and a selection of precious stones. Case in point: this cable-link chain design. Handmade by artisans in the brand’s New York-based studio, it’s cast with a classic screw charm at the centre. Part of a collection that draws direct inspiration from the contents of a toolbox, it’s hard to deny they’ve nailed it.
Missoma
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10/21Missoma
- Material: Sterling silver and 18kt gold-plated vermeil sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
Forever stuck between silver and gold tone jewellery? Have your cake and eat it too with this cable style chain in both sterling silver and 18kt gold-plated vermeil. Since it can also be unclipped to make up three different bracelets, we'd even go as far to say that it's an investment.
Éliou
11/21Éliou
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: Black onyx
Handcrafted in Miami from sterling-silver, Éliou’s latest necklace design is guaranteed to seal your style with a playful touch. This comes courtesy of the black onyx motif which is layered across its beaded necklace silhouette, separated by the sterling-silver beads and finished with a classic lobster clasp. Thanks to its black colour scheme, you can rest assured that this will complement pretty much any avenue of attire.
Vivienne Westwood
12/21Vivienne Westwood
- Material: Brass
- Gemstones: Swarovski pearls, crystals
Is there any symbol more iconic than Vivienne Westwood's ‘Orb’? We're not sure, but either way it looks great dangling around your neck – especially when the context is a pearl necklace. Set on a string of hand-knotted Swarovski pearls, this necklace features the brand’s acclaimed motif at the centre, promising to give an instant edge to your ensemble. The design for those that dare.
Reclaimed Vintage
13/21Reclaimed Vintage
- Material: Brass/zinc
- Gemstones: None
For a stylish selection of jewellery that doesn’t require an investment, the online shelves of Asos are on hand to help. From the current offerings, a special mention goes to this striking unisex design. Shaped into a torque neck by a silver-plated frame, it slips on easily over your ensemble and is centred by a stunning faux-stone pendant. We suggest basing it with your best black turtleneck to draw attention to its eye-catching feature.
Louis Vuitton
14/21Louis Vuitton
- Material: Metals
- Gemstones: Zircons
If you like sneakers, then the LV Trainer Strass necklace by – you guessed it – Louis Vuitton should be an essential piece in your accessory arsenal. Made in Italy, this silver necklace features an intricately-detailed trainer charm, and it brings the bling with a lush green Zircon gem that’s polished for an extra sparkly look. All of this comes boxed in the Parisian fashion house’s signature packaging that’s almost as premium as the piece itself. Seriously.
Rat Betty
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15/21Rat Betty
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
Wild horses couldn’t drag us away from this unique handmade pendant necklace in recycled 925 sterling silver. Longer than a choker but much shorter than your typical tag necklace, the cheeky twist in this piece sees the clasps take on the role of the charm: toggle the piece together with a tongue in an open mouth.
Le Gramme
16/21Le Gramme
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
If you’re looking for jewellery that’s bound to make a statement, Le Gramme should definitely be on your radar. For the past ten years, the Parisian label has been home to some of the cleanest pieces known to man, and the 27g necklace is certainly one of them. Made from premium sterling silver, it’s laser-engraved with the company’s name up front, and equipped with a custom clasp that you won’t find anywhere else.
The Great Frog
17/21The Great Frog
- Material: 9kt yellow gold
- Gemstones: None
We heart this necklace from The Great Frog. Like, literally. Rather than going down the conventional cartoonish heart route that’s been done to death, London’s very own rock ‘n’ roll jeweller has handmade this anatomically-accurate heart with nine carat gold, and attached it to a complementary chain. You can also get this design in rose gold, white gold, or even 18 carats (just in case you’re feeling a little fancy).
Emanuele Bicocchi
18/21Emanuele Bicocchi
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
Blending natural motifs with the worlds of grunge and rock ‘n’ roll, Emanuele Bicocchi's artisanal creations are handcrafted in Italy from high-quality sterling silver. Detailed with two layered leaf-shaped pendants strung on a silver rolo chain, this piece adds a subtle edge to your everyday 'fits… all the while, expressing a love for foliage. What more could a guy want?
Tom Wood
19/21Tom Wood
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: Tiger eye
A simple pendant underpinned by the label's love for minimalism, Tom Wood's sterling silver necklace is defined by its Tiger's Eye embellishment, set in a cushion-cut bezel that rests comfortably about an inch below the clavicle. Edge up that neckline.
Gucci
20/21Gucci
- Material: Sterling silver
- Gemstones: None
Gucci’s signature sense of opulence is felt in every link of this Interlocking G pendant. First introduced in 1960, the Interlocking G motif has since become one of the label's most emblematic house codes, and certainly won't go unnoticed sat between your collarbones.
MJ. Jones
21/21MJ. Jones
- Material: Stainless steel
- Gemstones: None
MJ Jones presents this extra chunky cuban link chain that’s crafted from raw metal for a brutalist vibe. Coloured in black and silvers hues, it’s decorated with subtle monogram detailing across each individual link, and finished with a double locking click clasp that’s extremely touch and secure. Pair this with a crisp white T-shirt, a bomber, and some cargo trousers to complete the look.
