Sun Necklaces

The sun necklace, the motif that glows rather than sparkles

All jewellery reflects light. The sun is the only piece that claims to produce it, and that difference isn't just an image: it changes the way it's designed and the way it's worn.

A sun necklace is almost always built around a full centre with rays spreading out from it. The eye starts in the middle and moves outwards, the exact opposite of a heart or a cross, where the eye follows an outline. That's what gives it such presence: it takes up more space than its actual size.

It's also the sunniest motif in our collection, literally and figuratively. Nobody wears a sun to go unnoticed.

Three ways to draw a sun

The radiant sun, or sunburst necklace, is the classic shape: a disc with regular points around it. The longer the rays, the more space the pendant takes up; the shorter they are, the closer it comes to a medallion.

The enamelled sun belongs to colourful imagery: sundials, tarot cards, almanac engravings. A plaque with a rising sun, an openwork sun with a drop, among other coloured charms: it tells a story instead of simply depicting a star in the sky, and it has a slightly magical feel that the plain sun doesn't.

The medallion is the most understated version: a full disc that carries the sun, set with stones or radiating, instead of cutting it out. The sun is suggested rather than drawn. It's the easiest sun pendant necklace to wear every day.

Sun and moon: the most sought-after pair

The sun is very often looked for alongside the moon, and it's one of the few pairings of motifs that truly works.

The reason is simple: the two are opposites on every level. The full disc against the open curve, warm against cool, day against night. A composition built on a clear contrast always holds together better than one that piles up similar shapes, which is why the sun and moon necklace is such a favourite.

Our charm necklaces let you bring them together on one chain, with the star to link the two. Wear all three, or just one depending on the day.

Why the sun is often chosen in gold

It isn't a manufacturing constraint, it's a question of harmony.

A silver sun necklace exists, and most of our suns come in both colours. It works graphically, but it loses a little of the strongest thing about the motif: warmth. The cool metal contradicts the subject, and the eye senses it before putting it into words. You'll find silver versions in our silver necklaces all the same.

A gold sun necklace is where everything comes together. The colour of the metal says the same thing as the shape, and the pendant gains the ease of jewellery where nothing contradicts anything else. That's why gold remains the most natural version, and a few of our suns come only in this finish; see our gold necklaces.

How to wear it

The sun needs space. It's a radiating motif: placed on a closed neckline or in the middle of a busy print, it fights with everything around it and loses its clarity.

On a plain outfit with an open neckline, it immediately becomes the focus, and it needs nothing else. It's the piece that finishes a simple outfit on its own.

It doesn't cope well with competition from a second strong motif at the same height. It does, however, work very well lower down: as a long necklace over an open shirt, the sun can be seen from a distance and extends the line of the collar. A shorter, plain chain necklace above it completes the look without muddling it.

What it's made of

Most of our sun necklaces are made from stainless steel: this metal won't tarnish on the skin and doesn't leave the green mark of the alloys common in costume jewellery. Some pieces carry 14ct gold plating; the exact finish is listed in the details of each product page.

Some versions combine enamel, coloured glass or faux pearls with the metal. These materials are more delicate than steel and need the same care as the rest of our collection.

Care

Take it off before the shower, the pool and the gym. Put your perfume on before your necklace, never after: alcohol damages the finish. Store it somewhere dry, in its gift box, away from your other jewellery so nothing rubs. A soft, dry cloth is all it takes to bring back its shine.

Every necklace is sent in its gift box, ready to give just as it is.