Cross Necklaces for Men. Men’s Cross Necklaces and Pendants From Simple to Ornate

Cross Necklaces for Men range from simple and understated to intricately designed and highly fashionable.

They can be made of a variety of materials including gold, silver or even wood and be found in an array of styles.

Large Selection of Cross Pendants and Necklaces for Men - Use this link to find a large selection of cross pendants in every price range -- you'll be able to compare prices from different jewelry stores and see the beautiful styles available.

From simple to ornate the classic gold cross necklace is the most common style of cross pendant you are most likely to see displayed in public. There are two things to consider when selecting the gold cross pendant itself. First, which style of cross best suits your needs and secondly what material should it be made of.

Because gold is a soft metal it is most often combined with other metals to add additional strength or modify color. There are two things to consider when looking at gold. First, which gold carat to choose and second, the gold color or the combination of gold colors available. The gold content of the metal is called the carat.

The gold carat is the proportion of pure cold combined with other metal alloys that together comprise the final product. The most commonly used gold carats in jewelry are 9kt, 14kt and 18kt. The higher the percentage of gold used in the final metal, the more expensive the metal will be. For example, an 18kt cross pendant will be more expensive than a 14kt gold pendant.

Knight's Shield Cross Pendant - This classic contemporary design by Damon Washington is a modern take on a knight's shield from the Crusades, with a raised cross motif. This dogtag pendant is perfect for men.

What Color of Gold Cross?

Gold is available in several different colors. The most popular is yellow gold, followed by white gold and rose gold, followed by lesser know colors such as bronze, red and lime gold.

Yellow gold is made by mixing pure gold with alloy metals such as copper and zinc.

Latin Cross – Crosses can be found in many different styles and shapes. This gold cross is an example of the Latin Cross (or Western Cross) and is the most common symbol of Christianity.

Its beauty is its simplicity, as a representation of the Trinity, the three shorter sections represent the Three Persons of the Trinity and the longer, lower portion signifies the One Divinity.

For gold to be white an alloy of gold and other white metals such as palladium and silver are used.

The empty Latin cross (above Photo), usually favored by Protestants, reminds many Christians of the resurrection, while the crucifix, with the body of Jesus on it (photo Right), is often favored by Catholic and Orthodox churches as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice. 

For thousands of years Silver has been used for jewelry and ornaments. The first major source of mined silver is the area of Anatolia, modern Turkey. Because silver is a softer metal it’s mixed with other alloys to make it stronger and more suitable for jewelry making. Sterling silver is the most commonly used form of silver in jewelry making. It consists of 92.5% pure silver alloyed with 7.5% other metals. In the United States, an alloy that is 92.5% silver can be called sterling silver, regardless of what the other 7.5% is; however, the standard alloy is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.

Budded Cross – The budded cross ( also called a Apostle’s Cross, Cathedral Cross, Disciple’s Cross, Treflee Cross or Trefoil Cross) is one of the most popular styles of cross. Budded cross necklaces can look dramatically different, from simple and unadorned to highly elaborate and embellished, and still be considered a budded cross necklace. Depending on an individual’s unique belief system the budded cross can symbolize many things. One common interpretation is that each end cap of the cross has three buds, which equals the 12 disciples (Apostle’s Cross or Disciple’s Cross ). Then others interpret the three-leafed clover end caps as the representation of the Trinity. This trefoil design is probably copied from earlier Celtic Druidry, where they represent the three dominions of earth, sky and sea.

What is the symbolism of the Celtic cross? The Celtic cross is one of the most commonly recognized Celtic symbols. There are many interpretations and legends’ surrounding the original meaning of this Celtic cross symbol and a vast amount has been written about its origin. The shape itself has been widely used by many ancient peoples, long before the arrival of Christianity to the region. The four arms are perfect for denoting the four elements, the four directions of the compass, and the four parts of man (mind, body, soul and heart).  The circle encompassing the four points of the cross is often described as being symbolic of a halo or an expression of eternity. The intricate knot-work patterns collectively called interlace are thought to be Celtic symbols of the interconnectivity of our spiritual life with our physical life or to also represent a never-ending path.

This is an example of a Passion Cross. The word passion comes from the Latin passio, which means suffering or enduring.

The Passion Cross has sharpened points at the end of one or more of the cross members.

The Nail Cross ( or often called Cross of Suffering or Carpenter's cross) is often a favorite among men that are looking for something a little more unusual or masculine.

Nail crosses can range in price dramatically depending on the materials used. From gold or sterling silver pendants that can cost 100’s of dollars to simple crosses made from common nails cost just a few dollars. Many cross nail pendants have leather cords that add to the feeling of simplicity.

When looking for a beaded cross necklace for men there are several option.

First, what do you really want? A cross necklace constructed of a row of symmetrical beads or is it a rosary style necklace?

Both styles are a good choice for men and are increasing in popularity. Second, what type of material would be preferable for the beads themselves?

There is a vast array of bead material, from wood, glass, or ceramic to high-end metal alloys.

The strength and beauty of wood make a wooden cross necklace for men a natural choice. Many men find a wooden cross to be a more symbolic and meaningful choice for a cross pendant.

Wooden cross pendants can be paired with a lace that is leather, beaded or metal alloy. They can also be found in all sizes and designs.

When selecting a leather cross necklace for men it’s important to know what exactly you mean by leather. Is it the cross pendant itself that needs to be leather or is it the lace?

Leather is a strong and durable material and if maintain properly will only improve with age.

For men, leather a cross pendant necklace is both meaningful and masculine.

Leather can be found in a variety colors and thicknesses.