A bar necklace features a long, narrow bar-shaped pendant as its centerpiece which can be oriented vertically or horizontally. These necklaces are known for their sleek and minimalist design, making them a popular choice for both casual and formal wear. There’s no denying that these easily customizable necklaces are here to stay, and a classic staple to have in your jewelry collection.
Why Are Bar Necklaces So Popular?
Bar necklaces refer to any type of necklace that has a bar attached to a chain. Whether you’re strolling down the red carpet or running errands, a bar necklace can be kept sophisticated and minimalist, be engraved, bejeweled, or have a pop of color. Its versatility, customizability and modern style make it a staple piece. Kim Kardashian, Emma Watson, Blake Lively, and Jessica Alba are just a few celebrities who’ve been spotted wearing this timeless style.
The length of a bar necklace can vary, ranging from short and delicate styles that rest high on the collarbone to longer styles that hang lower on the chest. Others have an adjustable chain length, allowing for versatility in how they are worn. With a contemporary and elegant look that can be easily layered with other necklaces or worn on their own as a statement piece, bar necklaces are created in so many different styles.
- Horizontal or Vertical Straight Bar: these are more common and traditional styles, which are still highly customizable.
- Curved Bar: this style curves upward at both ends and is sometimes longer than traditional bar necklaces.
- Engraved Bar: you can have anything you want engraved on your bar- a name, date, location coordinates, etc.
- Gem-aligned or Jeweled Bar: add an accent stone or have the whole bar lined with gems depending on how much sparkle and flash you want your piece to have.
- 3D Bar: with this style, you have four sides to work with, meaning you could have four different symbols or messages.
The shape of a bar necklace doesn’t necessarily signify anything unless you give it a meaning. Most people link the necklace’s meaning to the message that’s engraved on the bar, or how it’s adorned rather than the actual shape itself. The meaning attached to your bar necklace is personal, it can commemorate an anniversary, birthday, or other special event in your life. This customization also makes them popular as gifts for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or as bridesmaid gifts.
From Delicate Dainty to Bold, How to Design Your Bar Necklace
One of the many reasons why bar necklaces are so popular is their myriad of customization opportunities. The most famous style is the straight bar, but you could also choose a curved or even a 3D bar. Once you’ve decided on a bar shape and size, you can choose the orientation. Bar necklaces have two common orientations: horizontal and vertical. Most horizontal necklaces sit right at the collarbone, while vertical bar necklaces generally hang lower, usually to the middle of the chest, so keep this in mind if you’re looking to layer it with other necklaces.
An engraving is the most common way to personalize any bar style necklace. You can choose a special name, quote, symbol or motivational message and the style of script it’s written in. If you pick a date, you could have it in roman numerals. You can even design a bar necklace to have an engraving in braille. If you want a way to incorporate multiple names or messages, you can create a double bar style, which works both horizontally or vertically.
Charms and gemstones are also popular additions to bar necklaces. Ideas for charms are your birthstone or your children’s, a symbol like a moon or star, or some other small metal or stone addition to your main bar. If an engraving isn’t your style, you could forego the script and create a bar entirely out of gemstones.
Bar style necklaces make for great gifts, self-gifting included! Give us a call at 303-385-8449 or click here to schedule a custom jewelry appointment.