Chain Chokers

Plain chain chokers, the ones with nothing on them. No pendant, no O ring, no padlock, no meaning attached unless you attach it. A chain cut to sit at the throat, in every link we do, from a 2mm line to 18mm pieces that sit like a collar.

A choker is the hardest place to put a chain, because it's close to the face and the clasp sits on the skin at the back of the neck, which is exactly where cheap plating fails. These are 316L stainless steel, silver or 18k gold plated, so they don't. Sized Small, Medium and Large by neck measurement, with the 4 inch extender fitted to the chain rather than loose in the box. Wrap a tape round your neck where you want it to sit and pick the size that covers you; if you're between sizes, go down, because the fitted extender adds room and nothing takes it away. Cable or Cuban if you want simple, foxtail or Byzantine if you want it to catch light, and the fancy links if you want one nobody else has. Each chain type has its own collection if you already know which.

Which link should I get for the throat?

Cable or box if the choker is going to carry a pendant; the round or square links let it hang straight. Belcher if you want to clip a charm onto the chain. Cuban or Figaro if the choker is worn for itself. Paperclip for a flat chain that reads fashion and stacks without knotting. Foxtail for texture. Byzantine for weight. If you are buying one, a 4mm cable or Cuban in your metal.

What size do I need?

Tape round the neck just above the collarbone. Small fits 11 to 15 inches (28 to 38cm), Medium 13 to 17 inches (33 to 43cm), Large 15 to 19 inches (38 to 48cm). The 4 inch extender is included with every chain choker, so each size covers its whole range. Small for a tight fit, Medium for room.

Which width?

2mm and 3mm are fine and layer. 4mm to 6mm are the everyday chokers. 8mm shows. 10mm and 12mm are chunky and worn with nothing else at the neck.

How do I layer a plain choker?

The choker is the top layer. Put a pendant chain about 5cm below it, then a plain chain 5cm below that, all in one metal, with a different link on each so they catch light differently. Two plain chokers together only work if their widths are clearly different.