Gen Z’s Favorite Necklace Styles and How to Capitalize on Them

The jewelry industry in 2025 is being reshaped by Generation Z—the digital-first, style-fluid, and ethically conscious cohort born between 1997 and 2012. Now accounting for over 23% of the global population, Gen Z holds significant purchasing power and cultural influence—especially in fashion and accessories.

For jewelry retailers, wholesalers, and B2B manufacturers, understanding Gen Z’s necklace preferences isn’t just a design decision—it’s a business imperative. This guide explores the top Gen Z necklace trends, the cultural and commercial forces driving them, and how you can align your product strategies to thrive in this evolving landscape.

Why Gen Z’s Jewelry Preferences Matter

1. Style as Identity

Gen Z doesn’t just wear jewelry—they use it to tell stories. For them, necklaces are tools of self-expression, rebellion, spirituality, and memory.

2. Always-On Inspiration

TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest are constant sources of influence. A necklace can trend overnight, influenced by micro-influencers, pop culture drops, or a viral “necklace stack” reel.

3. Values-Driven Shopping

This generation favors sustainable jewelry, recycled metals, ethical sourcing, and lab-created stones like moissanite over traditional mined diamonds. Transparency, storytelling, and social causes are part of their buying journey.

Top Necklace Styles That Are Dominating Gen Z’s Jewelry Box in 2025

1. Layered Necklace Sets

Why it’s Trending:
Layering is not just a style—it’s an art form. Gen Z stacks fine chains with statement pieces to create curated, personal expressions.

How to Style It:

• Combine a dainty cable chain with a bold Cuban link necklace
  
• Layer birthstone pendants with chokers and charm necklaces
  
• Mix textures (matte, glossy, beaded)

Product Strategy Tip:
Curate pre-matched layering sets and build content-rich lookbooks to inspire stackable combinations.

2. Colorful and Beaded Necklaces

Why it’s Trending:
Evoking childhood nostalgia and vibrant Y2K aesthetics, these pieces scream joy and individuality.

Popular Materials:

• Polymer beads, resin charms, multicolor glass beads
  
• Upcycled plastics and seed beads
  
• Custom name beads, zodiac icons

Sales Opportunity:
Offer customization kits or limited-edition collaborations with Gen Z creators or local artisans.

3. Chunky Gold & Silver Chains

Why it’s Trending:
Oversized Cuban, Figaro, and rope chains make bold statements and challenge traditional gender norms.

Styling Tip:
Worn solo with streetwear or layered over soft, muted fashion for a luxe-contrast look.

Retail Play:
Market these as unisex. Offer customization in chain length, plating, and thickness.

4. Personalized Name & Initial Necklaces

Why it’s Trending:
Personalized jewelry—featuring initials, names, meaningful coordinates, or dates—is the Gen Z love language.

Key Elements:

• Script fonts in gold vermeil
  
• Engraved bar pendants
  
• Multilanguage nameplates (Arabic, Devanagari, etc.)

Product Strategy:
Invest in fast-turn personalization options with flexible design tools and real-time previews.

5. Minimalist Chains for Everyday Layering

Why it’s Trending:
Simple box, wheat, or snake chains act as versatile layering foundations.

Use Case:

• Everyday wear
  
• Transitional accessory across outfits
  
• Gender-neutral gifting

Opportunity:
Bundle minimalist necklaces as “core stackers” or entry-level luxury jewelry.

6. Chokers with a Twist

Why it’s Trending:
From velvet and mesh to enamel and metallic coils—chokers are a strong throwback, now modernized.

Design Trends:

• Y2K tattoo chokers with emoji or anime charms
  
• Gold-plated metal collars with nameplates
  
• Adjustable rope chokers

Sales Tip:
Capitalize on nostalgia with limited drops and capsule collections targeted at niche fandoms or aesthetics (e.g., grunge, e-girl, cottagecore).

7. Modern Pearls

Why it’s Trending:
Pearls are no longer just “classic”—they’re chaotic, asymmetrical, and proudly gender-fluid.

Styling Ideas:

• Mix baroque pearls with gold beads
  
• Pair with chains or industrial elements for edge
  
• Wear layered with gemstone pendants

Material Sourcing:
Opt for ethically farmed freshwater pearls or repurposed vintage pearls for added sustainability.

8. Lab-Grown Moissanite Necklaces

Why it’s Trending:
This generation loves sparkle, but not at the planet’s expense. Moissanite and other lab-created gemstones deliver high brilliance with a cleaner conscience.

Product Ideas:

• Solitaire pendants in halo settings
  
• Multi-stone necklace clusters
  
• Color-enhanced moissanite charms

Educational Opportunity:
Include moissanite comparison charts, sourcing certifications, and sustainability reports in your product pages.

9. Astrology, Birthstone & Spiritual Necklaces

Why it’s Trending:
Mysticism and mindfulness are big with Gen Z. Birthstones, zodiac signs, and talismanic designs are core to identity-based styling.

Design Elements:

• Celestial charms (moon, stars, constellations)
  
• Chakra stones, evil eye motifs, and runes
  
• Pendants based on numerology or astrology

Sales Strategy:
Create content around astrology guides, zodiac lookbooks, and gemstone birth calendars.

10. Tech-Integrated Necklaces

Why it’s Trending:
Blending fashion and function, these necklaces link to digital experiences—QR-coded pendants, NFC-enabled tags, or AR filters.

Examples:

• Necklaces linking to Spotify playlists or love notes
  
• Mood trackers or digital IDs in charms
  
• Scannable necklaces for portfolio access

Innovation Potential:

Partner with tech brands or creators to develop limited-run interactive pieces.

Key Gen Z Jewelry Trends to Align With

Hyper-Personalization

Necklaces must feel unique—custom nameplates, adjustable layers, or color-matching options.

Sustainability Over Status

Lab-grown gemstones, upcycled metals, and ethical labor practices trump heritage branding.

Digital-First Experience

AR try-ons, TikTok styling edits, influencer-led launches, and AI-based style matchers drive sales.

Gender Fluidity

Unisex styling, inclusive model representation, and messaging that avoids binary categorization are essential.

Affordable, Wearable Luxury

Price-sensitive Gen Z loves good design at an attainable price, especially if the brand aligns with their values.

Business Strategies to Capture Gen Z’s Necklace Obsession

Strategy	Action Item	Outcome
Curate Stackable Sets	Pre-layered bundles with style guides	Higher average cart value
Custom On Demand	Online tools for fonts, symbols, charms	Boost in personalization orders
Ethical Transparency	Share sourcing info, certificates, videos	Builds brand trust
Influencer Partnerships	Collab with micro-creators & stylists	Viral content & deeper engagement
Social Gifting Campaigns	Astrology or birthstone gift guides	Higher conversion on occasion-based shopping
Inclusive Lookbooks	Represent all genders, body types, styles	Broader market appeal
Limited Drops	Weekly or monthly capsule collections	Creates urgency & repeat traffic
Creator Workshops	Host live DIY necklace sessions online	Community building & engagement

Conclusion: The Future of Gen Z Jewelry and the Role of Brands Like Nakassi

As Gen Z continues to influence the jewelry market in 2025 and beyond, brands must evolve from simply offering accessories to delivering meaningful, style-forward, and sustainable experiences.

Whether it’s dainty layered chains, bold gold necklaces, moissanite pendants, or nostalgic chokers—necklaces for Gen Z are an extension of identity, values, and creativity.

Jewelry manufacturers and global wholesalers looking to ride this generational wave should focus on sustainable practices, inclusive storytelling, and immersive personalization tools.

As a trusted name in global jewelry manufacturing, Nakassi offers customized necklace manufacturing, gold vermeil jewelry solutions, and lab-grown gemstone expertise—all while aligning with Gen Z’s values of ethical sourcing and expressive design. Discover how Nakassi empowers B2B buyers and trend-forward retailers with jewelry that resonates and sells.