Pendants shaped like everyday objects, from tiny bottles and lipstick cases to pens and combs, are having a moment, along with shells, charms and beads. Start with one piece that feels personal. Gabriela Hearst's black ceramic pendant, L'Atelier Nawbar's gold and onyx Moon to My Sun pendant, Vivienne Westwood's silver Balbina pendant and Agmes's silver Marta pendant are all good first picks.

Some pendants feel like souvenirs. Martha Calvo's beaded suede Raya necklace and Jia Jia's rhodochrosite and moonstone Raindrop necklace are delicate, while Jennifer Behr's shell Rhodes necklace and Johanna Ortiz's horse-charm Spirit of the Nomad necklace bring a more playful feel.

Beads and charms add colour and texture. Lizzie Fortunato's beaded Carmine necklace and Julietta's turquoise Donna necklace are bold, while Yvonne Léon's citrine Soleil pendant and Foundrae's diamond Initial necklace are more personal.

A longer chain gives a pendant more presence. Chloé's gold and leather necklace and Rabanne's orange chain are statement pieces, while Roxanne Assoulin's gemstone Bar necklace and Sydney Evan's diamond Icon Wallpaper Heart are more delicate.

A pendant needs a clean neckline. Leset's white James cardigan, Thierry Colson's embroidered Clara blouse, Stella McCartney's pink tiered satin midi and Posse's white linen Rio tank all leave room for a necklace to stand out.

A pendant is one of the most personal pieces of jewelry you can wear, and the object trend makes that easier than ever. If you take one thing away, let it be that the neckline decides the length: a crew neck or tank suits a shorter pendant, while a V-neck or open shirt suits a longer chain. We would skip layering too many pendants at once, which can hide the one that matters most. Start with a single piece that means something to you and wear it often. Gold and silver can mix if the shapes are simple.