If you're looking for styles of jewelry that are low-key, modest and unassuming, you can't go wrong with cross silver necklaces. This type of jewelry is always great for that little touch of enigma -- you know it means something to the wearer, but you're not sure what, exactly. Cross silver necklaces are rich with symbolism, some intensely religious, some more closely associated with the occult, and others more closely tied with history and tradition.
The pendants are generally rather small, often of charm size, but some may get to be a couple of inches in length. They come in silver colors, sterling silver, white gold, or pewter. Of course crosses come in other materials like gold, ivory, or mother of pearl, but these tend to be a bit more ostentatious.
Suitable for both men and women, cross silver necklaces come in several styles. The Crucifix style, bearing an actual image of the crucifixion, has an obvious religious symbolism. The plain, cross also has a religious significance, though not as intense. Both of these can vary from a minimalist simplicity to a richly ornate complexity. The third style is the Egyptian Ankh, the symbol of life. This style has a closed loop in place of the upper arm of the cross, and has been associated with the occult in some circles. A fourth style is the Celtic Cross which sets the cross symbol in front of a circle representing the sun. This style is often quite ornate, sometimes with rich representations of Celtic Knots. Less common is the pentagram cross which contains a five-sided figure at the junction of the horizontal and vertical elements of the cross, generally a pentagon or a five pointed star. Rarer still, is the inverted cross which is like a normal cross except that it is presented upside down. Both of these last two have been recently associated with the occult, however the inverted cross has traditionally been associated with St. Peter.
Cross silver pendants are often sold without chains because they are often worn with cords instead of chains -- and because chains worn with the pendants are of varying sizes, the most common being eighteen inches. When you buy a cross silver necklace pendant you'll want to verify whether or not it comes with a chain or cord and, if not, decide what you need to get to wear it comfortably.
Jane Alexander is a writer for NecklacesandMore.com. Go to Necklaces and More to browse an impressive selection of Cross Silver Necklaces