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Like a quality watch, gold necklaces are timeless accessories — living outside of the trend cycle while appearing around the necks of society’s most fashionable year in and year out, no matter the season. The best gold necklaces for women are some of the wisest investments you can make, as they’re versatile enough to pair with practically every outfit and aesthetic under the sun: whether you want to dress up your Y2K-coded sweatsuit with a thicker chain stack or add a touch of shine to a little black dress ahead of date night.
The sheer diversity of gold necklaces in 2026 is nothing short of impressive. On the Oscars red carpet this year, for instance, a prevailing style was the sculptural torque necklace — a rigid and oftentimes diamond-adorned collar seen on attendees like Rose Byrne. So too are vintage-inspired, gold coin necklaces frequently finding themselves in the spotlight these days, worn on the regular by everyone from Taylor Swift (she’s been known to turn to the brand Ben-Amun for such pieces) and Hailey Bieber to Shay Mitchell and Emily Ratajkowski.
Rose Byrne attends the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, completing her eveningwear with an en vogue gold necklace silhouette: the torque, in this case made by James de Givenchy’s label Taffin.
Courtesy Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images
If you’re trying to keep it low-profile, we always recommend thin gold chains that sit squarely in the “fine jewelry” category. To make the classic silhouette a bit more edgy, go with a paperclip necklace that lends itself well to some charm-fueled personalization. Love the idea of a pendant necklace but don’t necessarily want the focal point to be a Roman coin? There are plenty to choose from that feature gems, your zodiac constellation, or a gilded, central heart that will inject your sartorial sensibilities with some romanticism.
For the ultimate It-girl-approved gold necklace styling moment, wear multiple at one time — preferably playing around with their lengths and thicknesses to get a richly layered and more visually interesting final product. These babies tend to do their best work when teamed up with sharp blazers worn over basic white tees, black cami-and-jeans combos, any and all dresses, and your most polished, starched button-up for the office. We can’t name a single article of clothing that wouldn’t complement a women’s gold necklace, in fact, which means you can wear it around the clock (in many cases even sleeping with your chain on, as long as it’s of the thin-and-lightweight variety).
To guide you on the hunt for your next gold necklace, WWD Shop’s senior fashion commerce writer — yours truly! — tested out four of the most coveted gold necklaces from hot-right-now brands like Jennifer Fisher and Gorjana. Here, we’ll be rounding up options for every budget and stylistic inclination, because the start of spring demands a lil’ jewelry box update.
Remember that Robert Frost poem, “Nothing Gold Can Stay”? Turns out, these gold beauties don’t follow that rule.
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best chunky necklace
Jennifer Fisher Chelsea Chain
The cat’s out of the bag: This is the gold necklace I relied on most in the past month, letting it transition my late-winter getups from work to happy-hour drinks to date-night dinners while racking up many a compliment along the way. What I love most about Jennifer Fisher’s newly arrived Chelsea Chain is its seemingly effortless ability to make a statement. The piece, after all, takes a page from the slithering, scaly serpent — being chunky, well-built, highly textural, and fluid. When wearing it with my go-to gold watch (from Shinola), I felt like the chronometer’s links and the gold necklace’s intertwining strands were in perfect synchronicity with each other, which contributed more put-togetherness to my ensembles du jour.
At 16 inches, the necklace is, as far as I’m concerned, the ideal length — skimming the collarbones without extending too far down the chest or alternatively being as tight as a choker. Word to the wise, though: Its magnetic closure secures peace of mind, but I personally found it a bit tough to figure out from the get-go, so cultivate some patience before the darling accessory arrives to your door.
Price upon publish date of this article: $550
Stacking a Jennifer Fisher Chelsea Chain with my gold cross and continuing the gold theme with a Blue Nile tennis bracelet plus Shinola’s Runabout Watch.
Courtesy WWD/Stacia Datskovska
best for charms
Gorjana Parker Necklace
I came back from a styling appointment at Gorjana with an all-new, charm-clad outfit booster: in the form of the Parker Necklace, dotted with baubles like the Turquoise Evil Eye Parker Charm, Gold Scallop Shell Parker Charm, and Coral Parker Charm (getting into a “I’m spending my summer in Mykonos” mood couldn’t be easier). Usually, I’m charm necklace–averse, but this one made me a convert, what with its attractive and unusual circular hinge closure; ultra-modern paperclip style; high-shine allure, courtesy of that 18-karat gold plating; and dozens of options for infusing the chain with some personality.
All of the TikTok-viral brand’s charms link seamlessly to the necklace, also operating by way of hinges, and it’s a godsend that the bestseller comes in 18-inch or 20-inch iterations. My suggestion? Going with the latter, since you can always easily adjust it to be shorter, which is not the case the other way around.
Already, I’ve been able to show off my Gorjana masterpiece with jewel-toned cardigans, white denim jackets, and oversized T-shirts tucked into baggy jeans during warm weekend days. It’s only a matter of time before it makes an appearance with my nap dresses, strapless bodysuits, and other summery non-negotiables. Bottom line: There won’t be a season when I’m not seen with my Parker Necklace, which says a lot about its wear-everywhere appeal.
Price upon publish date of this article: $78
Assembling the charms on Gorjana’s Parker Necklace in-store before taking it home with me. My chosen theme? Clearly, all things nautical.
Courtesy WWD/Stacia Datskovska
Shop My Exact Gorjana Charms
Gorjana Turquoise Evil Eye Parker Charm
Price upon publish date of this article: $48
Gorjana Fisherman Parker Charm
Price upon publish date of this article: $38
Gorjana Gold Scallop Shell Parker Charm
Price upon publish date of this article: $48
Gorjana Coral Parker Charm
Price upon publish date of this article: $45
Gorjana Shimmer Cross Parker Charm
Price upon publish date of this article: $48
best sculptural necklace
Alexis Bittar Asterales Gold Floating Collar Necklace
A standout example of the aforementioned torque necklace style (think of them as neck rings, typically flaunting an open back, that curiously date back to the Iron Age), Alexis Bittar’s Asterales Gold Floating Collar Necklace checks all the boxes when it comes to wearability and visual interest. The first thing that struck me was the gold necklace’s incredibly lightweight nature, clocking in at just 25 grams. The renowned designer’s modus operandi here was to “create a ripple of motion across the neckline,” and you better believe he succeeded; the molten metalwork has slight ridges that make the necklace more dynamic, escorting the eye down its length before it reaches the pear-shaped pièce de résistance.
As pictured, I most enjoyed donning this popular gold necklace for women with V-neck tops, allowing the cut to echo the Alexis Bittar creation’s own curvature. The best part? It’s malleable, so you’ll be in full control of how the objet d’art fits around your neck.
Price upon publish date of this article: $275
Trying out the Alexis Bittar Asterales Gold Floating Collar Necklace for the first time (peep the label’s Molten Bangle Bracelet, too).
Courtesy WWD/Stacia Datskovska
best for gifting
Mejuri Zodiac Pendant Necklace
In the age of incessant self-expression, astrological credentials are of peak importance, with younger shoppers treating zodiac jewelry in particular as a kind of status symbol (erm, character-trait symbol). We’ve been spotting zodiac necklaces on the likes of Meghan Markle, Rihanna, and Bella Hadid, so it’s safe to say you’ll be in good company after grabbing Mejuri’s in-demand Zodiac Pendant Necklace: a white sapphire and 18-karat gold vermeil stunner whose beauty lies in just how soft-spoken it is. So far, all the signs — from the independent Aries to the intense Scorpio — are fully stocked on Mejuri’s site, but we still urge you to move quick, as the gift-ready pendant won’t be around forever. Per the brand, it’s “compatible in all 12 houses of your birth chart” (those who know, know) and prioritizes recycled materials.
What I appreciated: The Mejuri Zodiac Pendant Necklace is the dictionary definition of the word “delicate,” while still being more than capable of supporting that spinning disk at center. Also: Its gemstone-paved constellation is a more demure way of signaling your sign and all that it stands for, prompting friends, lovers, and coworkers alike to lean in for a closer inspection. The gold necklace’s glossiness was hard to keep my own gaze away from, and I caught myself wearing it nonstop for days at a time: while hitting legs at the gym, attending weekly work meetings, or strolling to the Saturday farmers market.
Price upon publish date of this article: $228
Me and my Mejuri Zodiac Pendant Necklace. (No, I’m not an Aquarius, but I’m planning on gifting this to my Aquarius friend).
Courtesy WWD/Stacia Datskovska
best maximalist necklace
Ben-Amun Gold Toggle Coin Necklace
Founded by Egyptian-born designer Isaac Manevitz, the circa-1980 accessory destination Ben-Amun has outfitted stars such as Lady Gaga, Chrissy Teigen, Addison Rae, Paris Hilton, the previously noted Swift (who’s partial to the Giovanni Necklace), and Jackie Kennedy in the ’80s. This under-$200 exemplar of the brand’s mastery features not one but two cable chains for more impact and an intricately engraved French franc connected to a toggle clasp. It was created using a special electroplating technique, which involves applying a thin layer of metal onto an object’s surface with the help of an electric current. The end result? A gold-plated composition that balances affordability and a luxe finish, making the necklace look way more expensive than it really is.
Price upon publish date of this article: $170
best solid gold necklace
David Yurman Sculpted Cable Chain Necklace
Consider this four-figure David Yurman selection an heirloom and a half. Precious as can be, equipped with the jewelry maker’s signature cable spirals, and crafted out of 18-karat gold (pure gold and not just gold plating this time), the item boasts elegant curves that “highlight the sensuality of the body,” according to marketing copy. Functionality-wise, it also hits all the high notes: with a two-inch chain extender and dependable lobster clasp that will ensure you and the Sculpted Cable Chain Necklace are inseparable for decades to come.
Price upon publish date of this article: $2,150
Even More Gold Necklaces to Shop
best for personalization
Monica Vinader Birthstone Chain Necklace
Price upon publish date of this article: $149
best for special occasions
Cuyana Ola Necklace
Price upon publish date of this article: $598
best dainty necklace
Ana Luisa Gold Chain Necklace
Price upon publish date of this article: $150
best colorful necklace
Effy Mosaic Collection Multi-Gemstone Link Collar Necklace
Price upon publish date of this article: $3,600
best layered necklace
8 Other Reasons Layered Chain Necklace
Price upon publish date of this article: $49
How We Selected the Best Gold Necklaces of 2026
Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail, and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections.
To find the best gold necklaces for women, we carefully assessed the specifications of every last pick on this list, including material composition, chain type, the presence of precious gemstones, length, and customization options. We supplemented this research with an intimate look at online reviews, dove deep into this year’s biggest gold jewelry trends, and tested multiple gold necklaces for close to a month. Here, you’ll find women’s necklaces that cater to all budgets and aesthetics. Learn more about us and our work.
Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on the top accessory trends of the year and how to shop them.
