A necklace is an item of jewelry worn for adornment around the neck, and it stands as one of the oldest and most versatile forms of human ornamentation. Essentially, it consists of a band, chain, or cord—fabricated from materials ranging from fine gold and silver to natural elements like shell and bone—which typically fastens at the back. Necklaces are categorized primarily by their length (e.g., chokers, princess, opera, or lariats) and can be worn either as a simple, continuous loop, such as a basic chain or strand of pearls, or with a central decorative element like a pendant, locket, or gemstone-set focal piece. Throughout history, necklaces have transcended simple fashion to serve as powerful symbols of wealth, status, cultural identity, or personal sentiment.
