Discover gold necklaces for everyday wear, meaningful gifts and special occasions at our Birmingham jewellery boutique. We specialise in 18ct and 24ct gold combinations, with ready-to-wear jewellery and bespoke designs available through our store at 581 Stratford Road, Birmingham B11 4LS.
Your necklace needs to suit your style, wardrobe and plans for wear. Our collection covers fine chains, pendant necklaces and designs that pair 18ct with 24ct gold. You can also speak with us about a custom necklace if you have a particular chain, pendant or finish in mind.
Our necklace styles include
Fine gold chains for understated daily wear
Pendant necklaces for gifts and personal jewellery
Layered styles using different chain lengths
Statement necklaces with stronger proportions
18ct and 24ct combination designs
Bespoke necklaces made around your chosen details
Product price, purity, dimensions and availability can vary by design. Check the individual product information online or call our boutique before travelling if you want to see a specific necklace.
Why Choose an 18ct or 24ct Gold Necklace?
Gold purity affects colour, weight, durability and price. The right choice depends on how often you plan to wear the necklace and the type of design you prefer.
9ct gold
9ct gold contains 37.5% pure gold and carries a 375 fineness mark where hallmarking rules apply. Its higher proportion of alloy metals gives it strength and keeps the price below higher-purity options.
You may prefer 9ct for a lower purchase price or a chain that needs to withstand frequent wear. Our work focuses on 18ct and 24ct combinations, but understanding 9ct helps you compare necklaces across the UK market.
18ct gold
18ct gold contains 75% pure gold and uses a 750 fineness mark. It offers a rich gold colour with enough alloy content to support chains, clasps and pendant settings.
Many customers choose 18ct for an everyday fine necklace because it balances gold content with practical wear. The design and chain thickness still matter, so choose a chain that can support the pendant’s weight.
24ct gold
24ct gold offers the highest gold content among common jewellery choices. A 999 fineness mark identifies gold with 99.9% purity. It has a rich yellow colour and a softer character than 18ct gold.
Our 18ct and 24ct combinations use each purity with the needs of the design in mind. Ask us about the construction, clasp and care requirements before choosing a piece for frequent wear.
Choosing by purpose
Choose 18ct gold if you want a rich colour, high gold content and a practical option for regular wear.
Consider 24ct gold or an 18ct and 24ct combination if you value a deeper yellow tone and higher purity. The necklace may require more care, depending on its links and weight.
For a gift, start with the recipient’s existing jewellery. Check whether they favour a fine chain or a stronger style, then note the gold colour they wear.
Gold Necklace Styles
Gold chains
A chain can stand alone or carry a pendant. Fine chains suit small pendants, while heavier pendants need stronger links and a secure clasp.
Check the chain width as well as its length. Two necklaces at 45 cm can look different if one uses a fine link and the other has a broad profile.
Pendant necklaces
Pendant necklaces place the focus on a motif, stone, initial or custom feature. The pendant’s scale should match the strength of the chain.
Small pendants suit close-fitting lengths around the collarbone. Larger pendants often sit better on longer chains, where the design has more space against clothing.
Layered necklaces
A layered look needs enough difference between each chain length to reduce overlap. Pair a shorter fine chain with a longer pendant necklace, or combine two link styles for more definition.
Allow for the pendant drop as well as the chain length. A pendant can extend several centimetres below the point where the chain sits.
Statement designs
Statement necklaces use wider links, increased weight or a prominent centre detail. Try these pieces in our Birmingham boutique so you can judge their scale and balance against your neckline.
Gold colours and combinations
Yellow gold gives you the classic warm tone associated with high-purity gold. If you want white gold, two-tone details or an 18ct and 24ct combination, speak with us about current pieces and bespoke options.
Gold Necklace Length Guide
Your build, neck size and clothing can change where a necklace sits. Use these measurements as a starting point, then measure a necklace you already wear for a closer comparison.
Length
Inches
General position
40 cm
16 in
Around the base of the neck
45 cm
18 in
Near the collarbone
50 cm
20 in
Below the collarbone
55 cm
22 in
Upper chest
60 cm
24 in
Mid-chest on many wearers
Choosing a length for a pendant
A small pendant often suits a 40 cm or 45 cm chain. A larger pendant may need a 50 cm or 55 cm chain, depending on the wearer’s build and neckline.
Check the bail, which connects the pendant to the chain. The bail must fit over the chain end and sit without catching on the links.
Choosing lengths for layering
Create space between each necklace. A 40 cm chain can pair with a 45 cm or 50 cm pendant necklace. Larger pendants may need a wider gap.
Different link textures can help each necklace retain its own shape. Fine chains can tangle when two pieces have the same length and weight.
Buying a necklace as a gift
Measure a necklace the recipient owns if you can do so without spoiling the surprise. Take the measurement from end to end with the chain laid flat.
If you cannot check an existing necklace, ask us about common lengths and any adjustment options for the design you have chosen. Chain construction determines whether our goldsmiths can alter it.
Matching Gold Jewellery
Pair your necklace with earrings that share its gold colour, finish or design details. A fine pendant can sit well with small gold earrings, while a stronger chain can support earrings with more scale.
For guidance in person, visit our goldsmiths in Birmingham and bring any jewellery you want to match.
Bespoke Gold Necklaces in Birmingham
A bespoke necklace gives you control over the chain, pendant and gold purity. You can bring a sketch, a reference image or an existing piece that shows the proportions you like.
We can discuss
18ct and 24ct gold combinations
Chain length, link style and width
Pendant size and shape
Personal motifs, initials or dates
Engraving where the design allows it
Clasps and adjustment options
Diamond details where suitable
Our bespoke process
Consultation
You tell us how you plan to wear the necklace, which gold purity you prefer and the budget you want us to work within.
Design and specification
We discuss the chain, pendant, dimensions and finish. Reference images help us understand the style you have in mind.
Approval
You review the proposed design and quotation before our goldsmiths begin work.
Manufacture
Our goldsmiths make the approved necklace to the agreed specification.
Inspection and collection
We check the finished piece and arrange collection from our Birmingham boutique.
Gold weight, design detail and chain construction affect the price. Diamonds, engraving and complex pendant work can also change the cost and timescale. Tell us your deadline during the consultation so we can discuss it before you approve the design.
Gold Hallmarks and Authenticity
A hallmark records an independent assay of precious metal. UK law requires hallmarking for gold items above the legal exemption weight of 1 gram when a business describes and sells them as gold.
A full UK hallmark can include
A sponsor’s or maker’s mark
A fineness mark such as 750 for 18ct or 999 for 24ct
The mark of the assay office that tested the item
An optional date letter
The Birmingham Assay Office uses an anchor as its town mark. That mark confirms the Birmingham Assay Office tested the item. It does not prove that a jeweller made or sold the necklace in Birmingham.
Ask us to show you the marks on the necklace you want to buy. Fine pieces may carry small marks, so a magnifying loupe can help you read them.
Visit Our Birmingham Jewellery Boutique
You can visit us at
Karat Goldsmiths
581 Stratford Road
Birmingham
B11 4LS
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 121 773 4222
Call before travelling to confirm current opening hours and check whether the necklace you want to view remains available. We also recommend arranging a consultation for bespoke work so we can set aside time to discuss your design.
Before placing an online order, review the product details and the delivery or returns information shown during your purchase. Contact us if you need clarification about collection, alterations or aftercare.
Remove your necklace before swimming, showering or using household cleaning products. Chlorine and abrasive chemicals can affect gold alloys, clasps and any stones in the design.
Store each necklace in a separate soft pouch or lined compartment. Fasten the clasp before storage to reduce tangling.
For routine cleaning
Add a small amount of mild soap to warm water.
Use a soft cloth or brush to clean the necklace.
Rinse it and dry it with a lint-free cloth.
Check the clasp and pendant connection before wearing it.
Ask us for care advice if your necklace includes diamonds, gemstones, textured finishes or delicate links. Strong cleaning solutions may not suit every material.
Gold Necklace FAQs
Which gold purity suits an everyday necklace?
18ct gold suits many everyday necklaces because it combines 75% pure gold with alloy metals that support practical jewellery construction. Chain width, link type and clasp quality also affect how a necklace handles regular wear.
24ct gold has a higher gold content and a softer character. Choose it with the design and your wearing habits in mind.
Which necklace length should I choose?
A 45 cm or 18-inch necklace sits near the collarbone on many wearers. A 50 cm or 20-inch chain falls below it and gives a pendant more space. Measure an existing necklace for the best point of comparison.
Can I view gold necklaces in Birmingham?
Yes. Visit our boutique at 581 Stratford Road, Birmingham B11 4LS. Call +44 121 773 4222 before travelling to check current opening hours and ask about the necklace you want to see.
Can you make a bespoke gold necklace?
Yes. We create custom gold jewellery and specialise in 18ct and 24ct combinations. Bring your ideas, preferred length, budget and deadline to your consultation.
Can you alter a gold necklace?
Alteration options depend on the chain construction and design. Some chains can accept an extension or a different clasp, while others require more extensive work. Bring the necklace to our Birmingham boutique so our goldsmiths can assess it.
How can I identify a gold hallmark?
Look near the clasp, end tag or pendant connection. An 18ct item may carry a 750 fineness mark, while a 24ct item may carry a 999 mark. A UK hallmark may also show the sponsor and assay office marks.
How should I care for a gold necklace?
Keep it away from chlorine, abrasive cleaners and hard surfaces. Store it apart from other jewellery and clean it with warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth. Ask us for care advice if the necklace contains diamonds or other stones.
Shop Gold Necklaces in Birmingham
Browse our gold jewellery online or visit our Stratford Road boutique to compare gold colour, necklace length and pendant scale in person. Our team can help you choose a ready-to-wear piece or discuss a bespoke 18ct and 24ct gold design.