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CHAIN BUYING GUIDE – 10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A CHAIN

CHAIN BUYING GUIDE: THE BEST GOLD NECK CHAIN NECKLACES TO BUY

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Chain Buying Guide - Ten Things To Look For

Here we go…

The top ten things to consider before purchasing your next gold chain:

1) Karat type:

What is the karat of the chain? 10kt, 14kt, 18kt?

14kt is the most common type of gold in the US. That’s because it’s a good combination of durability and beautiful luster. 14kt gold is 14 parts gold and 10 parts alloy.

The alloy is what makes the gold durable enough to wear everyday. 10kt gold is actually MORE durable. But 10kt gold is only 10 parts gold and 14 parts alloy. Which means it has more alloy in it than gold. I would skip 10kt, stick with 14kt and you’ll be fine.

Here’s a buyer beware tip:

Any gold sold in the US MUST have a KT stamp on it some where. It’ll simply say 10kt (or 417), 14kt (585), 18kt (750), or 925 for SS; sterling silver.

2) What length are you looking for?

Do you want it collar length? Do you want it to come to a nice V above your chest? Or do you want it to hang longer, near your belly? The most common and popular length for a chain is 18″. It’s not too short (like a 16″ choker). It’s the perfect length to be visible.

Plus it doesn’t get caught on everything because it hangs too low like a 24″ or 30″ Chain.

3) Are you wearing a pendant or charm?

This is an important concern, because it can drastically change the type of chain you purchase.

For you to be able to wear a pendant or charm, you will need a chain that can withstand the weight of the charm, but not over-power the charm at the same time.

Box chains or wheat chains make the perfect type of pendant chains.

They are curable, can hold the weight of the item hanging and will look good with just about anything. A wheat chain is my favorite type of chain. It’s the 4th chain down in the picture shown above. Wheat chains are smooth and strong and can be worn everyday.

4) Will it kink?

Here’s the biggest question of all time. If you get it caught on your sweater and pull it off, is it going to tangle up and kink?

There are a couple chains out there that are notorious for kinking… I’ll name them.

You have the herringbone chain in the lead. This is a very flat chain that looks beautiful… (used to sell like hot cakes), but the chains would kink so quickly that customers were always MAD. These are the worst type of chain to ever buy in the World.

They tried making herringbone chains that were MORE flexible and twistable, but they STILL KINKED something awful.

And once you kink one of these chains, it’ll NEVER be the same. You can always see the kink and it’ll only make it weaker in that area so it’ll kink even more. Stay away from these.

Another chain that kinks is the snake chain. A solid round chain that looks great but kinks easily.

The last chain that kinks is an expensive chain; the omega chain.

These chains are like flat hard collars that are worn usually as chokers or a little lower. They are made to wear sliders (pendants, charms made for that style of chain).

They look great, they can last a long time, but you have to be careful and not kink it or bend it. If you do, it will be a sad, sad day.

5) What type of clasp does it have?

If you look at the picture above, you will see two types of clasps. The right one is called the lobster clasp. The one to the left is called a spring ring.

I’ll make this short and sweet: RIGHT=GOOD, LEFT=BAD.

The spring ring is cheap:

The spring ring is thin, round, and hollow. It’s normally not soldered on to your chain. Which means if you tug on your chain (or a baby does), that little ‘O’ ring on the bottom of the clasp will stretch, open up, and you’ll lose your chain or pendant.

Spring rings are horrible and unless you want to lose your diamond pendant, do NOT get one of these.

Yummy lobsters:

Now the lobster clasp on the other hand, is the best clasp for any chain.

They’re easy to operate, are heavy duty, durable, and are the safest type of clasp to buy, ever. Most lobster clasps ARE soldered onto the chain, which is good. If it isn’t (for some odd fluke), make sure you get that done. Jewelers will solder shut the little round ring that attaches it to the chain so you can’t pull it off.

Great protection. Highly recommended. Don’t even hesitate to get one.

P.S. They also sell flat tab clasps, which are fine as well.

Safety catch:

Some chains have an added figure eight safety catch. Those are great also, but it depends on the type of chain you get as to which clasp you end up with. Beware of the chains with the “magnetic clasps“. They may be easy to put on and take off, but chances are, you’ll lose it.

6) Can you sleep with your chain on?

Most people don’t even think about this. But this is a very good question indeed.

A lot of people never take their chains off. They sleep with them on. They crash out on the couch. Curl up with big pillows or fat cats. Wrestle with them on… Your chain is going to take a beating.

So you want to make sure that it’s durable enough to be squished, rolled, flattened and whatever else you throw at it.

Good chains to have:

Chains that hold up well are chains with links like mariner chains, or curb links or cuban link, figaro chains, and wheat chains… these are all types of link chains that will work out well. Other chains that hold up well are rope chains, and box chains. So if it isn’t flexible and you think it may kink, DON’T BUY IT!

7) Is the chain rough?

Funny question, but here’s the test… Run the chain across your skin. Does it catch or feel rough?

Here’s an even tougher question: Can you run that same chain across your shirts or sweaters and not have it snag? (just don’t ruin your clothing testing this out.)

If it catches the threads and snags then that chain is going to rip up a lot of your clothes. People often forget about wearability issues. But I’ve seen people come in with a raw neck because the chain digs into their flesh. Run your fingers over it. See if it’s smooth or if there are little pieces and edges that stick out. If any stick out and feel jagged, then it could be a problem.

8) Will the chain tangle in your hair?

If you’ve ever had your chain get tangled up in your hair and had to pull them apart, it ain’t pretty. It hurts.

Usually small, thinner chains tangle easy and roll a lot, causing your hair to roll with them and knot up. Unless you want it pulling all the hair off the back of your head, I would stick with a medium thickness chain.

So now we are getting down to the nitty-gritty. There are just a couple more things to consider when making that gold chain purchase. Here we go…

9) Is the chain plated, hollow or solid?

Find out exactly what the chain is made of. A lot of chains look identical but aren’t.

Here are all the signs to look for…

9. Hollow, solid, semi-solid, or plated?

What the heck is the chain made of?

You see, a lot of Italian chains are 14kt yellow gold. Which is awesome. But Italians like really rich looking gold. And most European countries like higher gold content, like 18kt or 22kt gold. So what a lot of Italian chain companies will do is plate their 14kt yellow gold chains with an 18kt yellow gold plating.

This makes the chain look more yellow.

Eventually though, this yellow will wear off since it’s only a plating. This is a good thing to know up front… Especially if you are buying a charm for it and the charm is 14kt yellow gold, but the chain looks like 18kt. They won’t match.

Hollow chains:

You will need to know if the chain is hollow (also referred to as semi-solid).

That’s a very good question to ask. It may look identical to other chains, but it will feel much much lighter. That’s because the inside of the chain is hollow to reduce price. A lot of thick chains are made this way. Some diamond cut ropes also. Hollow chains tend to be very brittle and break easy. Plus they dent pretty quickly and hollow chains really can’t be fixed well.

Solid is better!

Solid chains are heavier and will last a lifetime. Chains can wear down fast because of all the moving pieces rubbing against each other. Get a solid chain and you won’t regret it.

10) Is the chain guaranteed?

If a company backs their product, good ones will put a lifetime guarantee on their chains.

Now this guarantee usually means they guarantee their product is free from manufacturer’s defects, which is fine (usually meaning tarnishing, pits, or color changes).

Do keep in mind, that doesn’t refer to wear and tear or breaking.

Get the ESP

If you want to really get your chain protected, see if they have an extended service plan (ESP) on it.

For a cheap price of this service plan, you can get your chain covered if it breaks or snaps, but most importantly, it will also cover the clasp in case it breaks.

And gold clasps are not cheap. They can cost up to a couple hundred dollars depending on the size of the clasp. And if a $25 service plan will cover replacing the clasp if it breaks, then it’s well worth it.

One more thing to think about…

Does the chain have a trade-in policy? If it does you could always trade-in and upgrade later. I just hope you get what you paid for it.

So there you have it, the ten most important things to consider when buying a chain.

Now the next question is…

Should you get a matching bracelet?

Get all your gold chains HERE.

Cheers! :)




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Recommended Jewelry Supplies:

Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner Jewelry Steam Cleaner
Complete Jewelry Cleaner Kit Diamond Dazzle Stick
Gold Silver Jewelry Polishing Cloths Jewelry Making Supplies Kit
Gold Acid Test Kit Watch Tool Repair Kit
Ring Adjusters EMT Emergency Ring Cutter
10x Jewelers Loupe Jewelers Microscope

14 Comments on CHAIN BUYING GUIDE – 10 THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A CHAIN

  1. Hi, I am looking to get a chain to wear every day and want to ensure that it is durable and can withstand my semi active lifestyle. What size mm do you recommend for a chain that will be worn regularly? I was looking at a 14k Fugaro 3.2 mm, but I was hoping to get someones opinion who is educated on jewelry.

  2. Kameron Willingham // June 17, 2020 at 2:14 pm // Reply

    Hey there, I was looking to get a 3.2 mm White Gold Figaro Chain and was curious to know if you think this would be practical for every day wear? I really want a chain that I can wear and not take off except for on rare occasion, and was hoping to get guidance from someone who is more skilled!

    • That’s a great chain to wear everyday, for life. Just make sure it’s solid (not hollow or semi-hollow), and solid gold as well and you’ll have it forever. :) -Richard

  3. I learned so much from this! Great article. I was looking into buying my first chain and this has helped me narrow my search to 20″ silver curb chains. Are there any specific sellers that you recommend? How much should I be paying for a basic silver chain? I see prices ranging and the most I’m thinking of spending is $140. Any other tips or thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

  4. I am looking for a delicate gold chain that catches the light and sparkles, and I don’t plan to wear it with a pendant. Should I look for diamond cut, box, or wheat? What thickness would you recommend? While I’m going for a delicate look, I also want to ensure that it’s durable and long-lasting. Thank you!

  5. Hi Richard, I am deciding between a 1mm and 1.3 mm cable chain (20 inches) for my pendant (height is 15mm). Which width would you recommend? Thank you!

  6. I bought an 18K 0.8mm white gold curb chain with spring clasp hook. What type of pendant would ve appropriate please so as not to break the chain? How long do you reckon it last if worn daily with my hair tied up so as not to get caught in it?

    Can the clasp be changed for fish hook or lobster clasp?

    Do you think this specification of chain would be solid or hollow? Could it be solid gold or gold filled?

    I don’t know how much the chain weighs.

    Thank you

  7. Is an 18″ box chain long enough for a pendant? it will hold 2 small rectangular shapes with children’s names engraved, their birthstones in crystal and a small circle that says My Boys. All in sterling silver.

  8. Angie Valdez // December 3, 2020 at 5:14 pm // Reply

    Very informative – I will have to look further for the box chain you suggested-it’s for my Princess Melanie

  9. Hi Richard, so happy that I found my way to your wonderful informative article. I have been driving myself crazy trying to get correct info from sellers who do not answer my questions. I am looking to purchase a 14k yellow gold nameplate necklace (6 letters). I already have a most dainty one from my grandmother from years ago. That one could so easily break. Using a centimeter ruler, the depth of the nameplate is 1mm. The sellers that have my item say they sell it in regular depth of .4mm or double thick which is .8mm That is NOT the same as 4mm or 8mm which would make sense to me. I regular paper clip is 1mm, so how could these nameplates me POINT 4 or POINT 8. I keep sending messages but they don’t understand what I am asking. Then there is the matter of the chain. They say it is 1gm or 2gms. Everywhere else, and here in your wonderful blog, you categorize chains in mm rather than grams. Therefore I do not know how thick the chains are. This is VERY frustrating. I want the chain to be visible and feminine but not overbearing. I want the plate to be maybe what I would measure as 4mm. If you look at a centimeter ruler, that would be just under 1/2 on one centimeter. I simply cannot get answers and am quarantining so will not go to a jeweler. Can you help in any way(One of the sellers is on Amazon, MyNameNecklace). Impossible to get answers from them as they do not address or comprehend what I am asking. Thanks so much Richard.

    • Hi Andrea. This is what you should do. Go to a jewelry store and look at their chains. Size them up for the width, thickness, and gram weight. That way you can decide which style you like on your neck. This is the best way to figure it out, versus buying sight unseen. Once you have a better idea of what you like, then shopping is much easier. Thicker name plates are better, since they won’t bend as much. And a heavier chain is wise, so it will balance out the plate and make it lay better. Head to a store and hold some real chains in your hand to figure out what you like. Otherwise, you’ll probably be sending the name plate back. -Richard

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