WHY ARE GOLD CHAINS DIFFERENT COLORS?

“I want to buy a chain.”

A lady comes into the jewelry store to buy a gold chain for her pendant.

So I show her some different styles on the case so she can look at them. She hangs her pendant on one and says:

“Is this 14kt yellow gold?”

I assure her it is.

“Then why“, she says “is it a different color than my pendant?”

Good observation!

If you’ve ever gone into a jeweler to look at chains, then I’m sure you’ve probably noticed all the color variations in them (see image). Just about every style of chain is different in hue, color or shade. Some look bright yellow, others look more orange, some even look green.

Why is this?

It’s because of heat, alloys and manufacturing.

Manufacturers use slightly different alloys in their gold mix that can change how gold looks.

Some companies use a little bit more copper, which gives it more of a orange or reddish color. Other companies use more nickel. The alloys that get mixed with gold to produce 14kt or 18kt, can be just enough that it will give you different hues or color combinations of the chains.

Manufactured differently:

Chains also require different methods to manufacture them. Links, ropes, box, wheat, herringbone, all require different techniques. Pulling, stretching, bending, flattening, twisting and linking the gold can make the chain different colors.

Plus, each style of chain has to be heated differently depending on how it’s made. Different temperatures will produce different yellows. Even the process of soldering the chain together can require different heat.

Gold plated:

Not to mention the fact that a lot of gold chains are then gold plated in either 14kt yellow gold or 18kt yellow gold to give them a more rich, even yellow gold tone.

So finding a chain that matches the color of your pendant or charm may not be an easy task.

Here’s what I recommend:

Don’t worry about it!

No one will notice the difference when it’s on your neck. Only you will see the change in color. I’ve never heard anyone say “Your charm doesn’t match your chain.”

It’s not going to happen.

Find a chain that you like, one that’s durable and practical, and buy it.

As a side note:

I would also recommend buying a chain that has a lobster claw clasp. Lobster claws are the best types of clasps to get for any gold chain, but they aren’t cheap.

All in all, don’t worry so much about color. It is what it is.

Quality, style and durability is more important to any gold chain purchase.

Because if it doesn’t last, it doesn’t make a bit of difference what the color is.

See some very cool durable chains here (my favorite chain is the wheat chain).

Cheers! :)