The Best Gold Chain To Add To Any Look

Buying Guide

Gold chains have long been a favorite piece of everyday jewelry. The design makes them easy to wear 24 hours a day, no matter what clothing you have on or what you’re doing. But there are plenty of things to consider if you’re in the market for a gold chain.

The first thing to look at is the material used to construct your gold chain. Solid gold is ideal, but it’s also pricey. To keep costs down, many manufacturers will use gold plating, which includes an interior that’s made of a durable material like stainless steel. Another option is a hollow gold chain, but you run a risk of denting or breaking these lighter options.

It’s important to note the role the gold plays in how well your necklace holds up. You typically won’t find 20-karat or 22-karat gold in chains designed to wear every day because purer gold scratches more easily. Instead, look for a chain in 10-karat to 18-karat gold for a necklace you can wear all the time.

Perhaps the biggest factor that sets one gold chain apart from others is the design of the links. A box-chain necklace features square links, but many links are more rounded. You can even find gold chains with links that emulate the design of a series of paperclips linked together.

• Perhaps one of the most important features of any necklace designed for daily wear is comfort. You’ll want one that feels smooth against your skin. This is especially true if you plan to sleep in your necklace.
• If you’ll be wearing your necklace in the shower or while swimming, 14-karat or 18-karat gold is best. But many gold chains are plated, and the plating can wear off over time. You can have the chain replated if that happens.
• Those who suffer from allergies will need to go with a higher karat. The lower the karat, the more nickel is present in the gold, and nickel is typically the culprit when someone has a reaction to gold jewelry.
• You’ll probably notice chains are more rounded than flat, and there’s a good reason for that. Flatter chains are more prone to kinks. They’re also more likely to get caught in your clothing.
• If you’re buying a new necklace, pay particular attention to the clasp. You’ll want one with a secure hold so you don’t risk losing your necklace when you’re out and about. Many gold chains utilize something called a lobster clasp because it doesn’t open easily, even if your necklace gets caught on something.