The opening, or bail, of the pendant has to be large enough to slip on the necklace you wish to pair it with.  This may seem like it’s very common knowledge, but when you are shopping for pieces that offer you the flexibility to mix and match, the size of the bail is definitely something you’ll want to be aware about.

So… what size bail is best?

It depends on some of the other considerations listed.  But if it’s a small lightweight pendant, you’ll likely wear it on thinner necklace options.  The bigger the scale and weightier the pendant, the larger the bail should be, so the scale and strength of the necklace will match the size and scale of the pendant.

Here’s another point that seems rather straightforward, but just because a necklace can fit through the bail on the pendant does not mean the necklace is strong enough to support its weight.

This is a common problem when it comes to selecting a good chain to wear with a pendant.  Some chain styles will be ruined if they are worn with a pendant.

We offer a nice thin cable chain option that works really well with our small pendants.  But if you have a large or heavy pendant, you’ll want to go with a stronger option.  We offer a lot of great necklace styles that work well with the ¼” inner diameter bails we use for our medium and large pendants.  The larger bails allow you to choose more bold options to coordinate with your bold choice in pendant.

This consideration is generally common with leather or fiber necklaces.  Leather, even high quality cord like we use, does not have the same fluid drape that chain does.  However it offers a great slightly edgy, clean look and showcases a pendant really well.

If the pendant is small, you should stick to the shorter length leather necklaces to keep them draping well.  However, if the pendant has some weight to it, it will help train the leather.  One of our favorite combinations showcased below is a 30” long double strand leather necklace with a silver button closure paired with a large bold pendant.  This is a fabulous combo for layering over cowl turtlenecks, tunics, or just any time you want a bit of a classic yet boho chic vibe.

Just like with art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  And sometimes the outfit you are wearing plays a role in this relationship.  But that’s a subject for another post.  Just be mindful that your pairing has purpose.