The GLDN Guide to Chunky Jewelry | GLDN

Introduction to Chunky Jewelry

Chunky, attention-grabbing jewelry has a sort of transformative power—turning any outfit, even jeans and a tee, into something greater than the sum of its parts. Chunky gold jewelry has seen a huge resurgence lately, blending contemporary silhouettes with the classic. The result? A revival of self-expression and individuality that literally anyone can pull off. 

We love these expressive accessories because, even though they’re currently trending, they’re timeless too. Look back through decades of fashion and you’ll see one thing in common—chunky jewelry! Its shapes, metals and styles have changed, but one thing remains the same: chunky jewelry is here to stay.

Like the idea of chunky jewelry but don’t know where to start? Intimidated by bigger, bolder jewelry than you’d typically wear? Prefer dainty necklaces or jewelry but want to weave in a few statement pieces? We’ll break it all down in this guide.

 

 

Why is chunky jewelry in style now?

Chunky jewelry is contemporary, lighthearted and versatile. It can easily be dressed down (with, say, jeans and a tee) or dressed up and take on a whole new look. Plus, it’s straight up fun and we could all use some more of that! Chunky jewelry is also such an easy way to change the entire vibe of a look, or pull an entire outfit together with just a few pieces.

 

When to Wear Chunky Jewelry

The short answer: anywhere and everywhere. Bold, attention-grabbing jewelry has a sort of youthful playfulness that we love pairing with delicate, dainty bracelets or jewellery pieces! We love using chunky jewelry to dress down an outfit—like chunky gold bracelets with a blazer, for example—or to dress up an outfit (like in the case of jeans and a tee)!

We also see chunky jewelry as a cheat code for getting dressed. Don’t know what to wear? Don’t love your outfit? Having a bad hair day? Add a chunky gold chain or chunky silver hoops and all eyes will be on your jewelry…and you’ll probably receive tons of compliments while you’re at it.

And, of course, we love bold jewelry for special occasions (especially holidays)! A pair of eye-catching earrings or a statement ring are surefire ways to add extra oomph to an already dazzling look.

So, in summary, when should you wear chunky jewelry? All day every day. Especially when paired with your dainty everyday staples. 💅

 

Types of Chunky Jewelry

Chunky Necklaces

Think chunky chain necklaces, necklaces with large pendants and bold pearls. Wondering how to wear chunky necklaces? Try pairing one bolder necklace with your dainty everyday lineup and go from there—it doesn’t have to be over the top! Even a pop of pearls or a dramatic personalized pendant can be the focal point you need to ground your look. We love chunky necklaces crafted from gold and silver for their lasting power and exquisite shine. We can’t forget chunky pendant necklaces adorned with bright, colorful gemstones either.

 

Chunky Bracelets

From bold chain bracelets to cuff bracelets, there are endless ways to add a chunky twist to your wrist. We also love chunky bracelets with sculptural elements and bold shapes—turning a basic bracelet into something more. Another way to get the chunky bracelet look: stack up several delicate or medium-size bracelets (if you’re more of a dainty jewelry wearer) to get the impact of one larger, bolder piece!

 

Chunky Earrings

Of course, chunky gold hoops are a timeless classic—and if you don’t have any in your jewelry collection, consider this your sign. They’re perfect with any outfit, with your hair styled up or down and are the key to a striking, impactful look. To switch it up from hoops, try a pair of oversized studs or dramatic drop earrings for an equally attention-grabbing ear stack! Bonus tip: wear mismatched chunky earrings for an extra air of playfulness, or mix and match bold studs with delicate, dainty hoops.

 

Chunky Rings

Chunky rings are the perfect jewelry focal point—whether you wear your bold ring on your pointer finger, ring finger, thumb or pinkie! We adore wearing wide statement bands with personalized details (like initials or symbols), multiple signet rings on one finger and sculptural rings to add some intriguing shape to your stack—with a few delicate stacking rings thrown into the mix, too, for contrast and texture!

 

Our Top Picks

Taiya Chain

Bold and solid gold—name a better duo. Our team-fave Taiya Chain is crafted from heirloom-quality 10k solid gold and was designed to be the focal point of your necklace stack with an out-of-this-world shine. We love pairing this chunky gold necklace with smaller, daintier chains for contrast and texture.

 

Organic Pearl Strand Necklace

Pearl necklaces are on the more sophisticated side of chunky jewelry, but they can still be styled playfully and casually! Wear our Organic Pearl Strand Necklace with tees, sweatshirts, denim and more, and pair it with colorful gemstones for an everyday look that’s just chunky enough. Bonus: this piece was crafted with freshwater pearls and 14k solid gold details for a lifetime of wear.

 

Worry Stone Necklace

Designed to make a statement and soothe stress and anxiety, our modern take on traditional worry stones grounds your mind and stack alike. Opt for our Worry Stone Necklace if you’re searching for a bold, dramatic pendant with an out-of-this-world shine—then stack with your favorite chains for an everyday look.

 

Grande Band

Our biggest, boldest band ring, the Grande Band is our #1 choice for a chunky ring with a more masculine feel. Clocking in at 5.5mm wide, this band is truly a statement piece…but still simple enough for everyday wear. Personalize yours with initials, Roman numerals, short phrases or leave it blank, then pair with daintier stacking rings for an unexpected stack.

 

River Stone Ring

With a sculptural, organic silhouette and modern look, our River Stone Ring is the perfect addition to your ring lineup if you’re looking for something chunky and elegant. It also doubles as a fidget ring; the stone spins around the band! Wear it on your index finger for a simple, striking look, or pair it with an Organic Pearl Ring (our favorite way to wear it!).

 

Diya Ring

Our bolder take on a timeless infinity ring, the Diya Ring features two interlocking bands with your choice of texture—smooth, hammered or both! It’s bold enough to make a statement, yet simple enough to wear as part of your everyday stack (and it’s symbolic, to boot). 

 

Bold Paperclip Chain Bracelet

Who doesn’t love a pop of texture? Enter the Bold Paperclip Chain Bracelet, the perfect base of your bracelet stack. As chunky as it is, its airy design keeps it lightweight and comfortable for everyday wear. Plus, its paperclip-style links prevent it from tangling with your other bracelets—so stack up a few.

 

Serra Bar Bracelet

Raise the bar with our biggest, boldest bar bracelet—the perfect canvas to tell your story. Add names, dates, coordinates or a mantra and wear your meaningful memento loud and proud. With a chunky personalized bar and delicate, shimmering chain, this piece is the ideal way to step up your bracelet stack.

 

Faun Bracelet

AKA the chunky chain bracelet you’ve been searching for. Crafted from a 3mm wide curb chain, the Faun Bracelet is the quintessential layering bracelet that totally holds its own…but looks superb stacked with other bracelets, too. Bonus: add an optional bar link with personalization to make it that much more special. 

 

Cecelia Hoops

Striking in both silver and gold, our Cecelia Hoops are the perfect chunky hoops for giving your stack a new shape. Their oval silhouette is supremely flattering on all face shapes, and makes it easy to pair with bold studs and drop earrings, too!

 

Naomi Hoops

We saved the best for last: the perfect chunky gold hoops you’ve been searching for. The Naomi Hoops are 38mm in diameter (AKA the ideal chunky size 🤌🤌) with a gently rounded silhouette for extra shine. And despite their size, they’re lightweight and comfortable to wear, boasting several 5-star reviews from jewelry enthusiasts like you.

 

Kana Earrings

This one’s for the pearls. A bold, lustrous pearl on a pair of classic hoops—what could ever be better? The Kana Earrings can be worn two ways—with their chunky pearl charms, or as a plain pair of hoops! It’s like investing in two earrings in one. 

 

Chunky Jewelry FAQs

Are chunky necklaces still in style?

Now more than ever before, yes! Some of our favorite chunky necklaces are paperclip chains (for texture) herringbone chains (for shine) and classic curb chains to wear with charms or pendants.

Can I mix chunky silver jewelry with gold pieces?

100%. In fact, if you’re going to mix metals, using chunky jewelry is the best way to do it. Try layering chunky silver and gold chains, stacking chunky silver and gold hoops or piling up big, bold rings. More is more.

How can I style chunky jewelry for different occasions?

Our favorite thing about chunky jewelry is: there are no rules. But the team at GLDN does have a few favorite ways to style bigger, bolder jewelry if any of it inspires you:

• Pair chunky pieces with dainty pieces. Think delicate chains with bold chains, tiny stacking rings with bold statement rings and chunky hoops with barely-there huggies.
• Spruce up casual outfits. Use chunky jewelry to your advantage and make it the star of your look—with tees, sweatshirts, tanks, jeans, all the things.
• Find a “one and done” piece. The best thing about chunky jewelry is that you don’t need much to make a statement! Choose one focal point—either earrings, a chain or bold ring—and let it really sing. No stacking required.

What materials are commonly used in chunky jewelry?

It varies from jeweler to jeweler, but 14k solid gold, 10k solid gold, 14k gold fill, gold vermeil sterling silver, gemstones and pearls are the most common—though you’ll also find chunky jewelry crafted from other non-precious materials, like brass, bronze, resin and leather.

Can chunky jewelry be customized?

So many of our chunky jewelry pieces can be personalized! Choose your preferred metal, size and customization (from words to numbers to symbols) and we’ll hand-personalize it in our shop. We also have tons of dainty personalized pieces, too, if you’re looking for some accents to your chunky jewelry.

Are there lightweight options for chunky jewelry?

Most definitely. To keep chunky jewelry comfortable and easy to wear, many jewelers will create lightweight, airy designs or make their pieces hollow so they don’t weigh too much—because we all know that comfort is key. When you shop online, look for the item’s weight in its product description (that should help you determine if the piece will be lightweight enough for you!).

We hope you find the ideal chunky jewelry piece for you.

Happy shopping!
Team GLDN ✨