Solid Gold Anklets: Single, Double or Triple Strand — How to Choose and Size Yours

Triple strand solid 18K gold anklet worn on the ankle

Jewellery guides

One chain, two or three? How to choose a solid gold anklet you'll actually keep on.


Jewellery guides · 8 min read

An anklet is the one piece of jewellery you put on and then forget about. That's the point of it. It goes through the shower, the sea, a summer of sandals and a winter under socks. So the question isn't just which one looks right. It's which one will still look right in five years.

We make three anklets from the same chain: a flat, diamond-cut 18K gold sparkle chain, worn as a single, a double or a triple strand. The same metal, the same clasp and the same fit, with three very different effects. This guide shows you the difference, helps you work out which one suits you, and finds your size in about thirty seconds.

Why an anklet should be solid gold

No jewellery works harder than an anklet. It rubs against shoes, sits in sand and seawater, and gets knocked all day long. That is exactly where gold-plated and vermeil pieces fail first. The thin gold layer wears away at the points of contact, and the metal underneath starts to show, usually by the end of the first summer.

Solid gold has no surface layer to lose. Our anklets are 18K gold all the way through, stamped AU750, which means 75% pure gold. They're nickel-free and made to stay on. If you're weighing up karats, our guide to 9K, 14K and 18K gold explains why we chose 18K for pieces that live against the skin.

The summer test. An anklet has had a hard summer if it's been worn in the sea, in the pool, under suncream and in the shower. Solid 18K gold comes out the other side looking the same colour it went in.

A triple strand solid gold anklet worn on the ankle
The triple strand, worn. Three fine chains that move and catch light separately.

Single, double or triple: what actually changes?

All three use the same diamond-cut sparkle chain. Diamond-cutting means tiny facets are cut into each flat link, so the chain flashes light as you walk instead of just shining. What changes between them is how much of that shimmer sits on the ankle, and how "finished" the look feels without adding anything else.

Compare the three

Tap to see each strand

Minimal single strand solid gold anklet worn on the ankle

Minimal Gold Anklet

£178 · Yellow or white 18K gold

Chain
One 1.7mm diamond-cut strand
The look
A fine line of light. Noticed up close, never loud.
Best for
Everyday wear, first anklet, stacking with other pieces
View the single strand
Single Double Triple
Strands 1 2 3
Chain width 1.7mm 1.7mm each 1.3mm each
Effect Minimal Layered, built-in Bold band of shimmer
Wears best Every day, stacked Every day, worn alone Summer, evenings, alone
Price £178 £228 £278

The triple strand uses a slightly finer 1.3mm chain for each strand. That's deliberate: three strands at full width would look heavy at the ankle. The finer chain keeps it fluid, so the triple reads as more rather than thicker.

Which anklet is yours? A 30-second guide

If you're still between two, answer three questions. There's no wrong answer. It's simply the quickest way to match the piece to how you'll actually wear it.

Find your anklet

Three questions, one answer

1How will you wear it most?

2How much do you like to be noticed?

3Will you wear anything else on the same ankle?

Answer all three to see your match.

Your match

See it

What size anklet do I need?

All three anklets are 22cm with two 1.5cm extension links, so each one closes at 22cm, 23.5cm or 25cm. You choose the fit when you fasten it, and you can change it whenever you like. For most people, the right anklet length is about 2cm more than the ankle measurement. That leaves enough room to drape just above the ankle bone without sliding under the heel.

  1. 1Wrap a soft tape measure, or a strip of paper, around your ankle just above the ankle bone, where an anklet naturally sits.
  2. 2Keep it snug but not tight, then note the measurement in centimetres. If you used paper, mark it and measure it flat against a ruler.
  3. 3Enter it below to see which setting to use.

Anklet size finder

Your ankle measurement

21cm
18cm22cm26cm
22cmShortest setting
23.5cmMiddle setting
25cmFull length

Buying as a gift and can't measure? Choose any of the three. The adjustable length fits most adult ankles, and the extension means you don't have to guess.

How to wear a gold anklet

With bare feet and sandals

This is where an anklet shows off, and where the diamond-cut finish matters most. In sunlight, a flat faceted chain throws light with every step in a way a round chain doesn't. The triple strand is made for this.

With cropped trousers and trainers

That gap between the hem and the shoe is the anklet's other home, and it works all year. A single or double strand sits right there without competing with the shoe.

Stacking

Start with the single strand and add one piece with a different texture. That might be the smooth snake chain anklet, or the floating diamonds of the constellation anklet. Two textures look intentional. Two identical chains look like one got tangled. The double and triple strands are already layered, so they're usually best worn alone.

Left or right ankle?

There's no rule. Most people wear an anklet on the side they cross their legs towards, so it faces outward when seated. If you wear a watch or bracelet, try the opposite ankle to balance the look.

A double strand 18K gold anklet worn on a bare ankle
The double strand: a layered look in a single piece, with no stacking needed.

Giving an anklet as a gift

An anklet is a quietly clever gift. It's personal without being serious, it works for almost any style, and sizing is forgiving. It suits a birthday, a bridesmaid, a best friend before a trip away, or a first holiday together.

She'll put it on in May and still be wearing it in September.

If you're choosing for someone else, the single strand is the safest choice. It goes with everything she already owns. The double is the one that feels like a treat. Choose the triple when you know she loves jewellery that gets noticed. Every piece arrives gift-boxed. For more on choosing well, read how to choose a meaningful jewellery gift without guessing.

Caring for a solid gold anklet

You can shower and swim in it. Rinse it in fresh water after the sea or a chlorinated pool, dry it with a soft cloth, and now and then wash it in warm soapy water to bring back the sparkle of the diamond-cut facets. Take it off for heavy gardening or sports where the chain could catch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you wear a solid gold anklet every day?

Yes. Solid 18K gold doesn't tarnish, and it has no plating to wear away, so it can stay on through showers, swimming and sleep. The main risk for any fine chain is snagging, so take it off for contact sports or heavy outdoor work.

What size should an anklet be?

Aim for roughly 2cm more than your ankle measurement, taken just above the ankle bone. Our anklets adjust to 22cm, 23.5cm or 25cm, which fits most adult ankles. Use the size finder above to see your setting.

Is 18K gold good for an anklet?

It's one of the best choices. At 75% pure gold, 18K holds its warm colour through sun, salt water and daily wear, and it's gentle on sensitive skin. Lower karats contain more alloy metals, which can dull faster at the points where they rub.

What's the difference between a single, double and triple strand anklet?

The number of chains on one clasp. A single strand is minimal and made for stacking. A double gives a layered look in one piece. A triple creates a bolder band of shimmer, using finer 1.3mm chains so it stays fluid rather than heavy.

Which ankle should you wear an anklet on?

Either. There's no fixed rule. Many people choose the ankle that faces outward when they cross their legs, or the opposite side to their watch for balance.

Is an anklet a good gift?

Yes. It's personal without needing an exact size, suits almost any style, and gets worn daily rather than saved for occasions. A single strand in her usual metal is the safest choice if you're unsure of her taste.

Three anklets, one chain, all solid 18K gold. Made to be put on and forgotten about.

Shop the anklets