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The Best Necklace Extender

Last updated on August 17, 2023

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Necklaces personalize your look and can complete any outfit. Whether you like to wear a simple chain on a day-to-day basis or prefer to don a statement piece, it’s a great way to tie your look together and enhance your features.

If your necklace is too small or you want to change the way it fits around your neck, consider getting a necklace extender to elongate the piece. Necklace extenders have a highly functional and simple design. They consist of a small chain with clasps on either end that match the fasteners on your necklace chain. You can simply add the extender to the necklace to make it appear longer than it actually is.

When getting a necklace extender, one of the most important elements to consider is compatibility. The clasps on the extender must match up with the clasps on your necklace. Otherwise, the extender will not work with your jewelry.

Length is also an important feature to look at. Necklace extenders come in a range of lengths, typically between 1-6 inches, though you can also find some that are even longer than that. If you’re not sure how much longer you want your chain to be, you can also get a necklace extender set that comes with multiple sizes so you can play around and find the right one for your look.

When it comes to material and color, necklace extenders are typically available in either gold or silver looks to match the majority of chains. You can also find sets of necklace extenders that have multiple colors so you can match them with your existing pieces.

Basically, though, you want a design that works for you. Necklace chains can come in different shapes and sizes with various fastener types (like the most common, the lobster claw or hook and eye clasps) — and some may be difficult for people to manipulate alone, due to the sizes of the eyes or hooks or both. One advantage of necklace extenders is that, if your favorite necklace has a clasp that doesn’t work for you, you can find an extender that does.

Our Picks For The Top Necklace Extenders

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

D-BUY Stainless Steel Chain Necklace Extender, 8 Pieces

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D-BUY

Stainless Steel Chain Necklace Extender, 8 Pieces

Get high-quality necklace extenders that come in a set and are made from durable stainless steel. This includes different sizes in both gold and silver with classic lobster-claw clasps.

Overall Take

High-Quality ProductGet a variety of necklace extenders made from stainless steel.

 Runner Up

Anezus Stainless Steel Chain Necklace Extender, 10 Pieces

Anezus

Stainless Steel Chain Necklace Extender, 10 Pieces

These necklace extenders come in five different lengths from 2-6 inches. They are all durable and sturdy. Each extender has a large lobster clasp on either side for easier manipulation.

Overall Take

Large Lobster ClaspsThis 10-piece set of necklace extenders includes five different sizes.

 We Also Like

Tiparts Lobster Clasp Necklace Extender, 8 Pieces

Tiparts

Lobster Clasp Necklace Extender, 8 Pieces

These solid metal alloy necklace extenders are easy to put on and take off, thanks to their classic lobster clasps. You get eight to a set with four sizes from 2-6 inches in silver and gold.

Overall Take

Easy On and OffYou'll like how easy it is to get these metal necklace extenders on and off.

 Strong Contender

Altitude Boutique 18K Gold Plated Necklace Extender, 3 Pieces

Altitude

Boutique 18K Gold Plated Necklace Extender, 3 Pieces

Because they're plated with 18-karat gold, these durable necklace extenders are built to last. They come in silver, gold and rose gold versions. You get three lengths — 2, 4, and 6 inches.

Overall Take

Built to LastThis set of three necklace extenders is plated with 18-karat gold.

What to Look For

  • The color and style of the necklace extender should match the color and style of the necklace, if you don’t want it to stand out and look out of place. This is particularly important for gold pieces, as the color can vary quite a lot depending on the karat value of the gold.
  • If you’re buying a necklace as a gift for someone else and you’re not sure of their neck size or necklace length preference, consider giving them a necklace extender along with the gift. This way, they have the option to resize their necklace if they want to.
  • Quality matters when you’re choosing a necklace extender because the chain needs to be strong and durable, and the clasps need to be sturdy. Otherwise, the necklace extender may break or become undone with a tug, resulting in the necklace breaking as well or getting lost.
  • You can also add a necklace extender to a bracelet or anklet to make the size bigger, just as you would on a necklace.
  • Depending on what material the necklace extenders are made from, they may become discolored as a result of oxidation. Be sure to clean them on a regular basis to prevent color changes.
  • Just like necklaces, necklace extenders can also become tangled. It’s best to wrap them lengthwise in a soft cloth or paper towel when storing them so that they don’t become knotted.
  • If you want to disguise your necklace extender, consider wearing your long hair down. You can also consider wearing a statement scarf around your neck, which hides the extender while showing off the front of the necklace.

More to Explore

Necklaces have a long history; the first examples include an adornment made from fish bones, found in a cave in Monaco and dated to 25,000 years ago. The fist ones were made with organic materials, including shells, feathers, plants and teeth. Back then, necklaces often had more ceremonial significance than they do now, and could be worn for religious, protective, or other purposes. Later, they also telegraphed prestige and power.

Necklaces today come in a number of different lengths. The collar, at 12-13 inches, and the choker, at 14-16 inches are the most snug, with a length that circles the neck closely. They were very popular especially during the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods in the 1920s and ’30s.

The princess-length necklace is 16-18 inches long and falls to about the clavicle. It generally has a pendant of some kind and is considered standard. The matinee-length necklace is 20-24 inches long and falls down below the clavicle but above the bust. It works well for layering different lengths.

Opera length runs 28-36 inches and falls to the lower half of the bust. Rope length is the longest at up to 51 inches in length, making them extremely versatile as they can be worn different ways, including looped or tied.

More to explore