Pick the length, then the stones, the color of the gold and the chain that will carry it
Decide the length before anything else, because it sets the grams and the chain. A cross about an inch long sits close on a fine chain, and the small ones sold most in the year. Past 2 inches it becomes a piece people notice, heavy enough to want a stronger link. Then choose natural or lab-grown diamonds, sapphires or bare gold, and the color of the gold.
Length and grams: small, medium or large 14K gold cross pendant
Start near an inch long for a cross you wear every day. Most crosses bought in the year were shorter than an inch and a half, and the one bought most was a mini under an inch.
Grams climb quickly with length. Near an inch, a cross weighs about 2 grams. A cross 2 to 3 inches long sits near 14 grams. The big ones past 3 inches sit near 48. Mini, small and large drift from one listing to the next, so trust the inches each listing prints.
The stones: natural or lab-grown diamond cross, black diamonds and sapphires
Nearly every diamond cross names its origin, and natural leads by a wide margin. The natural stones are usually G or H in color and SI in clarity.
The lab-grown crosses say Lab in the title. Their stones grade whiter, mostly E to G and VS, with more carats at the same length. Black diamonds dress a handful of crosses, among them the set bought second most in the year. Sapphires color 45 crosses, most of them small. Emerald cut in a title is the shape of the stone, not an emerald.
The gold: yellow, white or rose 14K gold cross
Every cross here is 14K gold, a mix that is 58.3 percent pure and stands up to daily wear. Most are offered in yellow, white and rose alike, so match the chain you already own.
Bare gold crosses, with no stone, are few and run heavier. Eight titles and many descriptions say solid. For any other, ask whether it is solid before you order, and whether a white gold cross is rhodium plated.
Cross or crucifix: plain cross, crucifix or Jesus pendant
Choose the plain cross unless you want a figure on it. Plain crosses are most of what hangs here and made nearly all of the year's sales. On a crucifix the body of Christ hangs on the cross. Crucifix in a title here does not always mean a figure, so check the photos. Nail, Cuban link and triple crosses round out the shapes.
The chain: what chain to wear with a 14K gold cross
Most crosses come alone. A title that says set or necklace includes its chain, and so does a listing that asks you to choose a chain length, from 18 to 24 inches. The sets hang their small crosses on chains about 1 mm wide. A cross past 10 grams wants a sturdier link. The listings leave out the bail's opening, so measure your chain in millimeters and message that number to the live chat first.
Send nothing back before customer service says yes at service@traxnyc.com or 212-391-3832. Inside fourteen days from delivery, a cross nobody has worn or altered travels back on our return label, and the refund comes back short five percent for restocking and short that label's cost. Custom work and a shortened chain cannot be returned, as the refund policy explains. Call or text 212-872-9692 from 10 AM ET.