Three kinds of jewellery work for men: the sailing rope bracelet with an engraved stainless steel bead, the curb or Venetian chain necklace with a bar or disc for engraving, and the matt, minimalist necklace with a small pendant. All three are made of stainless steel, are waterproof and cost between 35 and 60 euros. What sets them apart isn't the price, but how much engraving fits on them and how visible it is.
This page helps with the three questions we're asked most often about men's jewellery: Which length? Which material? And what do you engrave for a man?
The three styles and who they suit
Sailing rope bracelet
Necklace with bar
Matt-finish necklace with discSailing rope: for the man who doesn't take his bracelet off
Braided sailing rope with a stainless steel bead in the middle. It's waterproof and stands up to sport, showers and the sea. Depending on the model, the bead has two, four or six faces, and each face holds up to 12 characters. This is the style fathers are given most often: a child's name on each side, a symbol in the middle.
Curb chain with bar: for the man who likes a classic look
The chain is 55 cm long and sits just below the collar. The bar is 35 mm long and holds up to 25 characters lengthwise, more than any other piece in our range. There's room on the back for a date in Roman numerals. It comes in silver, black or gold colour, and all three are coated stainless steel.
Minimalist and matt: for the man who doesn't wear jewellery
A fine chain with a 14 mm disc or a small cross, brushed to a matt finish. Barely visible from a distance, personal up close. This is the right choice for men who say they don't wear jewellery and then never go out without it again.
Which length?
Our men's necklaces come in 50, 55, 60 and 65 cm, most of them in 55. This is where they sit:
| Length | Where the necklace sits | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| 50 cm | At the collarbone | Slim neck, necklace should sit on top of the T-shirt |
| 55 cm | Just below the collar | The standard, suits almost everyone |
| 60 cm | On the upper chest | Broader neck, necklace should disappear under the shirt |
| 65 cm, adjustable | Mid-chest, or pulled shorter | Anyone who doesn't want to commit |
Rule of thumb: collar size plus 12 to 15 cm. If he wears a shirt with collar size 41, 55 cm is right. If you're torn between two lengths, take the longer one: a necklace that sits too tight doesn't get worn.
Bracelets are simpler: the sailing rope styles are adjustable up to 24 cm and fit almost any wrist. The curb bracelets and wrap bracelets come in sizes; for those, measure around the wrist with a tape measure and take the next size up.
Which material?
The entire men's line is stainless steel, the same steel that's also used for watch cases: rustproof, skin-friendly, waterproof, and it doesn't turn black. All the materials we work with meet the EU requirements for jewellery – including the limits for nickel release, lead and cadmium. Gold and black are coatings on the same steel; with daily wear they last for years, though in places with a lot of friction, such as the inside of a bracelet, they will eventually hold up a little less well.
Among the men's necklaces, 925 sterling silver is only available on two pearl necklaces. If you want silver, you'll find it in the women's line, or you can choose silver-coloured stainless steel, which is easier to care for day to day.
What to engrave for a man
With men's jewellery, the engraving almost always faces inwards, meaning it's for the wearer, not for others. These are the designs we engrave most often:
- The children's names, one on each side of the engraving bead, with a heart or the heart hands in between. Anna · ♥ · Paul.
- A date in Roman numerals on the back of the bar. I · I · MMXXVI. From the outside, a pattern; to him, the wedding day.
- The family's initials around a heart, as on the family necklace, but on the bead of the sailing rope bracelet.
- Coordinates of home or of the place where it all began.
- A single word. Traummann (German for 'dream man') on the front, the date on the back, is a real engraving we've made. Also Dad, Forever, My anchor.
What men rarely want: long sentences, script lettering, lots of symbols. The clean G02 font is chosen three times as often as any other for men's jewellery.
When another piece is a better fit
He never wears anything around his neck. Then the bracelet, not the necklace. A bracelet doesn't stand out while it's being worn, but a necklace does in the mirror.
He works with his hands. Then the necklace. Sailing rope can take a lot, but a bracelet under work gloves is done for after a year.
He has very sensitive skin. Stainless steel is skin-friendly and well tolerated. If even that doesn't work, silver is the safer choice.
It has to be a ring. Then read our guide to engraved rings, which explains how to find out the size without asking.
What goes on the card
On cards for men, the women who shop with us keep it short. The most common lines:
- Thank you for always being there for us.
- So you always have us with you.
- For the best dad.
Frequently asked questions about men's jewellery
What necklace length suits a man?
Usually 55 cm, so the necklace sits just below the collar. Rule of thumb: collar size plus 12 to 15 cm. For a broader neck, or if the necklace should disappear under the shirt, 60 cm. If in doubt, go for the longer length.
Is stainless steel jewellery waterproof?
Yes. Stainless steel doesn't rust and doesn't turn black; showering, swimming and sport are no problem. The gold and black coatings last for years with daily wear.
How many characters fit on a men's necklace?
Up to 25 characters on the bar, 12 on a 14 mm disc, 12 on each side of an engraving bead. The engraving window shows you how much space is left as you type.
What do you engrave for a man?
Most often, the children's names, a date in Roman numerals, the family's initials around a heart or the coordinates of a place. A single word works better than a sentence.
Does a sailing rope bracelet fit every wrist?
The sailing rope bracelets are adjustable up to 24 cm and fit almost everyone. Curb and wrap bracelets come in sizes; for those, measure around the wrist and take the next size up.
Are there men's necklaces made of silver?
Only two pearl necklaces. The men's line is deliberately stainless steel, because it's more robust day to day and doesn't tarnish.
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.