I understand the appeal. We all want to look sharp without breaking the bank. When I first started buying men's luxury necklaces, I had no idea what I was doing. I assumed all gold plating was created equal and trusted the glamorous photos I saw online.
I couldn't have been more wrong. I ended up wasting hundreds of dollars on chains that faded, snapped, or left a green stain on my neck. I made these errors so you can avoid them. Learn from my experience and keep your hard-earned money in your wallet.
I once spotted a massive, heavy-looking gold chain advertised for just $29. I thought I'd uncovered a hidden gem and was thrilled. That excitement marked my first major blunder.
Extremely cheap jewelry relies on thin plating. The process involves dipping a base metal like copper or brass into a minuscule layer of gold. It looks stunning on the first day, but by the end of the week, the plating wears off to reveal the unattractive metal underneath.
To make matters worse, the copper reacts with your sweat, leaving that embarrassing green tint on your skin. You'll end up tossing the chain and buying a replacement anyway.
Verdict: There are no shortcuts to quality. If a substantial chain costs less than $100, it simply won't last. Save up until you can invest in something durable.
I didn't pay attention to the core metal as long as it had a gold appearance. That was a huge mistake. Most inexpensive chains are made from brass, which is soft, tarnishes quickly, and is deceptively heavy. That weight can trick you into thinking it's high-quality when it's just cheap mass.
You should focus on two main types of durable metals:
If a seller doesn't explicitly state "316L Stainless Steel" or "Sterling Silver," assume it's cheap copper or brass that will deteriorate rapidly.
Verdict: Always scan the product description for "316L." If the material isn't listed, walk away immediately. Don't repeat my mistake.
When I bought my first few chains, I only skimmed the five-star reviews, which sellers prominently feature. I should have paid closer attention to the lower-rated feedback instead.
The one- and two-star reviews reveal the real story. They typically mention: