How to Choose an Anklet: Length, Chain Style and Metal
An anklet lives a harder life than a bracelet. It sits against socks and shoe straps, rubs on bedsheets, goes into the sand and the sea, and takes knocks from table legs and car pedals. Three choices decide whether an anklet lasts: the length, the chain and the clasp. This guide covers each one so the anklet you buy stays on your ankle.
Getting the length right
Measure your ankle at the point where the anklet will sit, which for most people is just above the ankle bone. Wrap a soft tape measure around it snugly, or use a strip of paper and mark where it overlaps, then lay the paper flat against a ruler. That number is your ankle size.
Add room so the chain can move. In our experience, 2 to 3 centimetres above the ankle measurement gives a chain that drapes and slides down to rest on the top of the foot, which is how most people like an anklet to sit. Add less if you want it to stay up near the bone. Add more if you want it to fall lower over the foot.
For reference, the solid gold anklets in our cases this season are 9.5, 10 and 10.5 inches long, which is 24.1 to 26.7 centimetres. Some styles come at 23 centimetres with a 2 centimetre extension chain, so they can be worn at either length. An extension chain is the easiest answer when you are buying a gift and do not know the size.
Two common mistakes. The first is buying a bracelet and wearing it as an anklet. Most bracelets are too short to go around an ankle at all, and the ones that fit sit tight. The second is going too long. An anklet that falls well over the foot catches on shoe heels and gets stepped on, and a chain under a heel breaks at the first strong pull.
Chain styles that hold up
The chain decides how long an anklet lasts. Fine chains look delicate and suit the style, and they are also the first to break when they snag. Here is how the common styles behave on an ankle.
Cable chain uses round or oval links joined one to the next. It is simple, strong for its weight, and easy to repair because a broken link can be replaced without disturbing the rest. It is our default recommendation for an everyday anklet.
Curb chain has twisted links that lie flat. It sits close to the skin and resists kinking. The flat links also rub less against socks.
Figaro chain alternates several short links with one long link. It has more weight and presence than a plain cable of the same width, and the pattern makes it easy to spot a damaged link.
Rope chain twists small links into a spiral. It looks rich and catches the light, and it holds up well in solid gold. In a hollow or thin version, a single crushed section is hard to repair invisibly.
Box, snake and herringbone chains are smooth and sleek, and they are the ones we steer people away from for anklets. They kink when bent sharply, and an ankle bends a chain sharply every time you cross your legs. Our guide to chain types covers each style in detail.
Station and beaded anklets add stones or beads along a chain. They are lovely and they are more delicate than a plain chain, because each station is a point where the chain is joined. Check that the stones are set in metal rather than glued, and choose a sturdier chain between the stations.
Choosing the metal
Solid gold is the long-term choice. It does not wear through to a different colour, it can be repaired with a solder joint, and it holds its metal value. The question is which karat.
Karat measures how much of the metal is pure gold, out of 24 parts. 14K is 14 parts in 24, or 58.3 percent gold. 10K is 10 parts in 24, or 41.7 percent gold. The extra alloy in 10K makes it harder and more resistant to scratches and dents, and it costs less. 14K has a richer yellow colour. For an anklet that will take knocks, 10K is a sensible choice and many of ours are made in it. If the wearer has sensitive skin, 14K or higher is safer, since it holds less of the alloy metals that can cause reactions.
Sterling silver is the affordable option. In Canada, the Competition Bureau's guide says silver quality marks such as "sterling" and "925" apply to any article which contains at least 925 parts pure silver in 1,000 parts by weight. Sterling tarnishes when it meets sulphur in the air and in sweat, so a silver anklet worn daily needs regular cleaning. Our post on cleaning sterling silver covers how.
Gold plated and gold filled chains are the budget end. The gold layer wears through fastest where the chain rubs, which on an anklet is everywhere, and plated metal underneath can contain nickel. The American Academy of Dermatology calls nickel one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis. If the wearer reacts to costume jewellery, buy solid gold or sterling.
Clasps: the most common failure
A spring ring clasp, the small round one with a tiny lever, is the cheapest and the weakest. It is hard to open with one hand and the internal spring wears out. A lobster clasp is stronger, easier to use, and the one we recommend for anklets. On a chain worn every day, check the clasp every few months: if the lever is slow to snap back, have it replaced before it opens on its own. Our guide to clasp types compares every common style.
Buying an anklet as a gift
Anklets are a good gift when you do not know a ring size, because the fit is forgiving. Choose a length of 10 inches or one with an extension chain, pick a sturdy cable or curb chain, and match the metal to what the person already wears. If they wear yellow gold rings, a yellow gold anklet sits naturally beside them. If they wear mostly silver, sterling or white gold is the safer guess. Keep the receipt, and tell them the length can be adjusted at the bench if it sits too high or too low. Our jewellery gifts for her page has more ideas at a range of prices.
Wearing and caring for an anklet
Take it off before a pool or a hot tub. Chlorine attacks the alloy metals in gold and weakens solder joints over time, as our post on why gold jewellery tarnishes explains. Rinse it in fresh water after the ocean, because salt and sand dry onto the chain and grind at the links. Take it off for the gym if you wear lace-up shoes, since laces snag fine chains.
Clean it with warm water and mild dish soap, using a soft toothbrush between the links, then dry it flat on a towel. Store it fastened, laid flat in its own compartment, so it does not knot with other chains. If it does knot, two pins and patience undo it better than pulling.
Anklets in the shop
Our solid gold anklets in 10K and 14K, from simple chains to stations and beads. We can shorten most of them at the bench.
Key Takeaways
- Measure just above the ankle bone and add 2 to 3 centimetres for a chain that rests on the top of the foot.
- Cable, curb and Figaro chains hold up best on an ankle. Box, snake and herringbone chains kink when the ankle bends them.
- 10K gold is 41.7 percent gold and harder than 14K, which suits an anklet. 14K is 58.3 percent gold with a richer colour.
- Choose a lobster clasp over a spring ring, and replace any clasp that is slow to close.
- Take anklets off for pools and hot tubs, and rinse them in fresh water after the ocean.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should an anklet be?
Measure your ankle just above the ankle bone, then add room so the chain can move. In our experience, 2 to 3 centimetres over the ankle measurement gives an anklet that drapes and rests on the top of the foot, which is how most people wear one. Add less for an anklet that stays up near the bone, and more for one that falls lower. The solid gold anklets in our shop this season are 9.5, 10 and 10.5 inches long, which is 24.1 to 26.7 centimetres, and some styles come at 23 centimetres with a 2 centimetre extension chain. If you are buying a gift and cannot measure, choose one with an extension chain, or a 10 inch length, which fits a wide range of ankles. Avoid going long. An anklet that falls well over the foot catches on shoe heels and gets stepped on, which breaks even a strong chain.
Can I wear a bracelet as an anklet?
Usually not. Most bracelets are too short to go around an ankle at all, because an ankle is larger than a wrist for nearly everyone. The few that do fit will sit tight against the bone, which rubs, and leaves no room for the chain to move. You can add length to a bracelet with an extension chain, and we can solder extra links into a chain bracelet to turn it into an anklet if the links are available in the same style and metal. Bracelets with rigid parts, such as bangles, tennis bracelets or cuffs, cannot become anklets. The other route is the reverse: a long anklet can sometimes be wrapped twice around a wrist, depending on the chain. If you have a chain bracelet you never wear and would like as an anklet, bring it in and we will measure your ankle and tell you whether the conversion is practical.
Which ankle should I wear an anklet on?
Either one. There is no rule, and people choose for practical reasons. Many wear it on the ankle that does not work a car pedal, so the chain does not rub against the pedal or the floor mat. Others choose the side they cross over the other leg less often, because crossing your legs presses the chain between your ankles. Some wear one on each ankle. You will find claims online that the side you choose carries a meaning in a particular culture or signals something about relationship status. Those claims vary from source to source, and we have not found a reliable basis for any of them, so we would not let them decide for you. Try the anklet on both ankles in the shoes you wear most, and choose the side where it sits comfortably and does not catch.
Is 10K or 14K gold better for an anklet?
Both are solid gold and both make good anklets. The difference is the gold content. 10K is 10 parts gold in 24, or 41.7 percent gold. 14K is 14 parts in 24, or 58.3 percent. The extra alloy in 10K makes it harder, so it resists dents and scratches better, which suits a piece that gets knocked against furniture and car pedals. It also costs less. 14K has a richer, warmer yellow, and with more gold and less alloy it is the safer choice for someone with sensitive skin. If the wearer has reacted to costume jewellery or cheap earrings before, choose 14K or higher. If not, 10K gives you a strong everyday anklet at a lower price. Several of our anklets are made in 10K for that reason. Look for the karat mark on the clasp or on a small tag near it, and ask the shop to confirm it on the receipt.
Can I wear my anklet in the ocean or the pool?
Take it off for the pool and the hot tub. Chlorine attacks the alloy metals mixed into gold and weakens solder joints over time, and a weakened link or clasp is how anklets get lost. The ocean is less harsh on solid gold, but salt and sand dry onto the chain and grind at the links as you walk, so rinse the anklet in fresh water as soon as you can and let it dry flat. Sand caught inside a lobster clasp also stops it closing properly, so open and close the clasp under running water after a beach day. Sterling silver tarnishes faster after salt water and sweat, and plated chains lose their gold layer quickest in water and sand. If you want something to wear on holiday without worrying, choose a solid gold cable or curb chain with a lobster clasp, and check the clasp before every trip.
Why do anklets break so often?
Because they take more strain than almost any other jewellery. An anklet rubs against socks, shoe straps and bedsheets, bends every time you cross your legs, and gets caught on shoe heels, sandals and table legs. The usual causes are three things. The first is a chain too fine for the job: thin cable and snake chains snap at the first strong pull. The second is the clasp: spring ring clasps wear out and open on their own. The third is length: an anklet that falls too far over the foot gets stepped on. Choosing a sturdier chain, a lobster clasp and the right length solves most of it. When an anklet does break, keep every piece in a sealed bag, because a solid gold chain can usually be soldered back together the same day or within a few days at our bench.
Are anklets OK for sensitive skin?
Yes, if you choose the metal carefully. The common cause of reactions is nickel. The American Academy of Dermatology calls nickel one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, and it recommends nickel-free or hypoallergenic jewellery, listing 18, 22 or 24 karat yellow gold, pure sterling silver and platinum among the suitable options. Lower karat golds contain more alloy, and some white gold alloys contain nickel, so if the wearer has reacted to jewellery before, choose 14K yellow gold or higher, or sterling silver. Avoid plated and costume chains, since the base metal under the plating can contain nickel and an anklet rubs the plating off quickly. Sweat sits under an anklet in warm weather, so rinse and dry it often. Our guide to hypoallergenic jewellery covers metal choices in more detail.
Can you shorten or repair an anklet?
Yes. Shortening is simple on most chains: we remove links, reattach the clasp or the end ring, and solder it closed so it cannot open. It is a short job, usually done the same day or within a few days. Lengthening needs links in the same style and metal, or an extension chain added at the clasp. Repairs depend on the chain. A broken link in a solid cable, curb or Figaro chain is soldered and polished so you cannot see the join. Rope chains and hollow chains are harder, because a crushed section has to be rebuilt, and a fine snake or herringbone chain that has kinked usually cannot be made straight again. We will tell you at the counter which case you have. Bring every piece of a broken anklet, including the clasp and any loose beads or stones, sealed in a small bag so nothing goes missing.
Sources
- Competition Bureau Canada: Guide to the Precious Metals Marking Act and Regulations, section 6.2 (silver)
- American Academy of Dermatology: Nickel Allergy, How to Avoid Exposure and Reduce Symptoms
Data sourced October 2026. Silver marking rule from the Competition Bureau Canada guide. Nickel information from the American Academy of Dermatology. Karat percentages are the karat fraction of 24. Anklet lengths and metals are from our own product listings. Sizing allowances, chain advice and repair notes are our own practice at our Coquitlam bench.
Visit Vanhess
Come in and try anklets on in the shoes you wear most, so you can see where the chain sits before you buy. We are a family-run studio at 2929 Barnet Highway, Unit 2424, in Coquitlam Centre, with a goldsmith on site who can shorten an anklet at the bench. We also serve Port Moody, Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver. Call +1 (604) 653-6449 or browse our bracelets and anklets online.
