Silsal, Iqd or Qilada? Arabic Words for Necklaces Explained
Arabic words
All three words mean a piece worn around the neck. Silsal (سلسال) comes from silsila, a chain, and in Gulf speech usually means a fine gold chain, often with a pendant. Iqd (عقد) is the classic Arabic word for a necklace, and it is the word Saudi shoppers type most: Google Keyword Planner puts «عقد ذهب» at 10K to 100K searches a month in Saudi Arabia, against 1K to 10K for «سلسال ذهب». Qilada (قلادة) is the formal word you see on many shop titles. The pendant itself is a ta'liqa (تعليقة).
Shop the Arabic Name Necklace18K gold · Free delivery in the UAE · Help on WhatsApp
By Lana Al Kamal
Founder and jewellery designer, GIA-trained, Dubai · Updated 12 November 2026
As featured in
Harper's Bazaar ArabiaEmirates WomanGrazia ArabiaJdeed MagazineKey takeaways
- Iqd (عقد) is the most searched necklace word in Saudi Arabia: «عقد ذهب» has 10K to 100K monthly searches there.
- Silsal (سلسال) leans towards a fine chain; qilada (قلادة) is the formal word on shop titles.
- The ta'liqa (تعليقة) is the pendant that hangs from the chain, not the chain itself.
The words compared
| Word | Root idea | What it usually describes | Example search |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silsal (سلسال) | From silsila, a chain | A fine chain, with or without a pendant | سلسال ذهب, سلسال اسم |
| Iqd (عقد) | From the root for tying or stringing | Any necklace; the everyday search word in Saudi Arabia | عقد ذهب, عقد اسم |
| Qilada (قلادة) | From the root for placing around the neck | Any necklace, in formal or written Arabic | قلادة الماس, قلادة اسم |
| Ta'liqa (تعليقة) | From the verb to hang | The pendant that hangs from the chain | تعليقة اسم |
| Choker (تشوكر), also tawq (طوق) | English loanword; tawq means collar | A short necklace that sits close to the neck | تشوكر ذهب |
Pieces in this guide
Arabic Name Necklace★★★★★ 5.0 (1 review)From AED 4,250Shop now
Arabic Letter NecklaceAED 3,200Shop now
Hive Malachite Choker★★★★★ 5.0 (6 reviews)AED 3,800Shop now
Silsal: the chain word
Silsal is built on the same root as silsila, the Arabic word for a chain. In everyday Gulf Arabic it usually means a light gold chain, and a silsal with a name on it is a «سلسال اسم». In Google Trends data we checked on 12 November 2026, «سلسال اسم» was searched more than «قلادة اسم» or «تعليقة اسم» in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, although all three are small terms.
Iqd: the most searched word in Saudi Arabia
Iqd is the oldest of the three and the broadest. It can mean a simple chain, a beaded or pearl strand, or a large statement piece. It is also the word with the most search demand: «عقد ذهب» has 10K to 100K monthly searches in Saudi Arabia in Google Keyword Planner, and over five years of Google Trends data «عقد اسم» was searched far more often in Saudi Arabia than «سلسال اسم», «تعليقة اسم» or «قلادة اسم».
What to buyArabic Name Necklace, from AED 4,250Qilada: the formal word
Qilada is the standard written word, which is why it appears in many shop and product titles, including ours: the Arabic Name Necklace is «قلادة الاسم العربي» on the Arabic site. Shoppers also use it in searches such as «قلادة الماس». If you write in formal Arabic, qilada is the safe choice.
Ta'liqa: the pendant
A ta'liqa is the piece that hangs, not the chain. A name, a single letter or a small charm on a chain is a ta'liqa on a silsal. The Arabic Letter Necklace (AED 3,200, November 2026 price) is a good example: one letter pendant, about 10 x 14 mm, on an 18K gold chain. For how chain length changes the look, see our chain length guide.
Choker and tawq: the short necklace
A choker sits close to the base of the neck. Shoppers in Saudi Arabia mostly use the English word written in Arabic letters, «تشوكر». The classical word tawq means a collar. The Hive Malachite Choker is a short 18K yellow gold choker chain with a green malachite Hive motif and a 0.03 ct VS diamond, at AED 3,800 (November 2026).
Which word should you use when you shop?
- Searching in Saudi Arabia: «عقد ذهب» finds the most results; «سلسال ذهب» narrows to finer chains.
- Looking for a name piece: «عقد اسم» or «سلسال اسم» both work; formal shops often say «قلادة اسم».
- Looking for diamonds: «قلادة الماس» is common; see our diamond necklace guide for what carat and clarity mean.
- Looking for something short: «تشوكر ذهب».
Whatever word you use, the details that matter are the same: the gold purity (see what 18K and the 750 stamp mean), the chain length, and the stones. You can browse every style in our gold necklaces collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between silsal and iqd?
Silsal comes from silsila, a chain, and usually means a fine gold chain, often with a pendant. Iqd is the broader classic word for any necklace, from a simple chain to a statement piece.
Is qilada the same as iqd?
Both mean necklace. Qilada is the formal written word used on many shop titles, while iqd is the word Saudi shoppers search for most.
What is a ta'liqa?
A ta'liqa is the pendant that hangs from a chain, such as a name, a letter or a charm.
What is a choker called in Arabic?
Most shoppers write the English word in Arabic letters, تشوكر. The classical word tawq means a collar.
Which word is searched most for gold necklaces in Saudi Arabia?
عقد ذهب, with 10K to 100K monthly searches in Google Keyword Planner, against 1K to 10K for سلسال ذهب.
Not sure which one?
Send the studio a photo or a question on WhatsApp and we will help you choose.
WhatsApp the studioKeep reading
Gold Necklace Buying Guide: How to Choose an 18K Gold Necklace
Chain Length Guide for Name and Pendant Necklaces
Diamond Necklace Guide: Carat, Clarity and Styles Compared
About Lana Al Kamal
Lana Al Kamal is an architect and jewellery designer who founded her Dubai-based fine jewellery brand in 2018. She studied at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and is a member of the Dubai Chamber jewellery designers group. Every piece is made in 18K gold.
