IMO, Y necklaces work best with smal pearls and are the most versatyle ... aside a choker.
I would think that the Y lariat (below) is the most versatyle... since one can connect the end of the necklace between any two pearls - so the 'Y' can be more or less close to the neck and fit any neckline. And that can become a normal long strand too if the connector has something to attach to at the other end (instead of a larger pearl, as in the example)
I think that the small finding that allows this is a snap hinge closure purpose made for lariats. Here's one version from Stuller:
LINK