Keeping It Real is Hotter Than Ever in Jewelry

Many of our jewelry styles are made of simple, natural materials.

Natural Appeal

Basic materials are the attraction in simple jewelry

Since the days when man first started wearing bling, naturally occurring materials of various values have been used in jewelry making. Today, precious stones and fine metals are certainly prized components of quality jewelry, but recent trends in fashion suggest an increasing fascination with more basic elements used in jewelry designs like leather, wood, inexpensive natural stones, bone, shells, seeds and string.

There are many reasons for the drawing power of these materials, but since they are what we use to make our products, we like to think the allure is similar to the cultural appeal of a tropical island. Jewelry constructed with natural materials like leather, cotton, hemp, seeds, barks and common metals make them unique, exotic and very attractive.

Just as enticing as a warm tropic destination, jewelry of basic natural materials go with everything in current style. It can be anything you want it to be and appropriate for who you are, no matter the occasion. There really are no rules with natural, simple material jewelry, but there are numerous benefits, not the least of which can be a reminder or personal symbol of respect and connection to the kingdom of nature.

The current popularity of jewelry from basic and natural materials goes way beyond trend, just as anyone who wears it will tell you. For many, a heightened visual appeal comes from the natural quality, pleasing colors and textures, expected endurance and uncomplicated designs that are characteristic of our top-selling styles. For others, it is the earthy look and feeling that is ideal for the urban jungles or stomping grounds of our life.

Just as a single palm tree standing alone can be stunning, a group of palms growing together on an oasis can be a handsome display of nature’s wonder and compatibility. So in a visual parallel, it is understandable why mixing more than one piece of natural material jewelry, even if the pieces are hot when worn individually, is an awesome look that is uniquely the wearer’s design. 

Wearing several pieces of natural, simple material jewelry at the same time is an effective way to customize the assembly for your individual style.  Keep in mind that not all natural materials look good together and the distraction of a single piece can ruin the whole look. So while a leather bracelet might not look too great when worn with a chain encrusted with diamonds, bracelets made of wooden beads, shells, seeds, hemp, and cotton are perfect partners with leather. The more basic the materials, the more likely they are to look good and make you feel good wearing the appealing combinations you create.

Visit palmleather.com to see our latest natural material jewelry designs.

Men's Necklaces: Why Length Matters

27" Leather and Pendant Necklace

When shopping for a mens necklace online or for a gift, the length is an important consideration. Just as important as the design and materials, the style of a mens necklace and how it will be worn factor into the selection of a good length based on where it will drape on your chest. 

Necklace lengths that are right for an individual’s style are determined by how you will usually wear them. If you regularly wear your necklaces on a bare chest, over a T-shirt or tank top, even underneath a shirt, consider the best choice of necklace length for your personal look.

It is typical for length descriptions of mens necklaces to be approximate, since measurements can be rounded off. Some manufacturers measure the necklace without the closures, so consider that the lengths given may not be precise. How a necklace will drape has an affect on the overall appearance of a necklace when worn, but since material weights and pendant weights will influence each one differently, model depictions may also be inaccurate. To add to the confusion, shirt sizes are not a good way determine a good necklace length since a neck measurement is taken above where a necklace will lay. Body structure and muscle mass also effect how and where a necklace hangs on a chest.

One of the easiest ways to measure where a necklace might fall on your chest or what length you want to look for is to place a washer on a string and knot it where you want your necklaces to fall when it is around your neck. Take it off, cut the string in one location and measure the distance from one cut to the other. Do the reverse if you are considering a necklace and know the length measurement.

Length Comparison

To provide a general picture of length draping, the photograph from PalmLeather.com shows the most common lengths in the marketplace, when placed on a mens torso with a shirt size 'Medium' and a 15-151/2” neck size. The addition of weight such as from a pendant would likely cause each necklace to lower slightly in the center, but unless it is heavy, the droop is more of a "centering" on the chest. Additionally, the type of necklace material will influence the drape of a necklace. For example, a chain necklace will lay differently than a leather necklace. The photograph illustrates approximate necklace draping using rubber cording (buno); a popular necklace material.

Some necklaces are adjustable, providing some variance in length. This is especially true of cotton or leather designs that may offer extra length for wearing or removal with an adjustment option. Ball type chain necklaces are easily shortened to a desired length although most look better when worn at longer lengths.

For some guys who wear more than one necklace at a time, different lengths might not matter unless you want them all the same or for one to stand out from the rest. In any case, with the huge popularity of mens necklaces and a wide selection available, there is likely a length just right for every personal style.