One way to get statement necklaces is to use rope or thick cord including paracord. I really admired the following tutorials because the resulting pieces were bold, colorful and so much fun. Very inspirational!
Another stunner is Christine of Court and Hudson's neon paracord necklace tutorial. Paracord is usually the material of choice for masculine bracelets but this one is rockin' feminine! It's bold too without being heavy.
Those awful stiff as anything wire coil cord ends you hate can be used here! You can also coil short wire ends or just substitute with beads.