The Best Chain Necklace

Buying Guide

Finding the right chain necklace can take time, but once you’ve tracked down a winner, you’ll have a great everyday option that will go with everything. A chain necklace can be dressed up with a pendant or layered with other chains for a trendy look, or worn alone anytime.

Before buying a chain necklace, though, it’s important to look at the materials used to make it. Nickel is the most common contact allergy, and it’s also a popular metal for jewelry. In recent years, though, jewelry manufacturers have noted the prevalence of nickel allergies and striven to make pieces that eliminate nickel.

Stainless steel is among the most popular materials for chain necklaces. It has high resistance to corrosion and impact, ensuring it can last a while even if you wear it while you sleep, shower and swim. Some chain necklaces will be made with stainless steel and get coated in gold, rhodium or silver to give it that look many expect from their jewelry.

Despite stainless steel’s durability and resilience, though, silver and gold still tend to be more desirable for jewelry pieces. Since pure silver and gold are metals that are too soft and flexible to work well as jewelry, they’ll typically be mixed with other materials, known as alloys. You can often find a number stamped on a piece of jewelry that indicates the percentage of silver it contains.

Just note, before you buy, that not all jewelry that’s marketed as silver or gold is pure. Look for the “925” stamp on silver to avoid buying a piece that will tarnish or lose its luster over time. That notation indicates that the material used contains 925 parts of silver to every 1000 total parts, giving it 92.5% purity.

On the other hand, If you’re buying a piece of gold jewelry marked “925,” chances are you’re getting a silver piece that’s plated in gold rather than a piece made up of gold, either in part or in whole. Remember, a too-low price can be an indicator that you’re not getting the quality you expect.

• When shopping for a chain necklace, look at the measurements. First, you should note its thickness, but you also should look at the length of the chain. Use a measuring tape to make sure the necklace will fall where you need it to.
• Thin doesn’t always equal flimsy. You can find thick chain necklaces that break easily and ultra-thin necklaces that pack a lot of durability in a smaller profile.
• Make sure your necklace is lightweight enough that it won’t weigh you down. If you’re wearing it all day, every day, you’ll want a chain that you barely notice when it’s on.
• Not all chain necklaces are ideal for wearing with a pendant or layering with other necklaces. For pendants, look for one that can handle some weight, particularly if you’re going for a larger, heavier pendant. For layering, you may want a thinner necklace that looks great with other necklaces.
• The clasp of your necklace plays a direct role in how well it holds up over time. You won’t want a clasp that will come undone during the day, possibly leading you to lose your chain. You’ll also want a clasp that’s easy to manipulate with your fingers.
• Some metals can be prone to tarnishing. Before you wear your chain in the shower or while swimming, make sure it can hold up in those conditions. Some necklaces feature anti-tarnish coating to provide an extra layer of protection against corrosion.
• If you tend to sleep with a necklace on, look for one that lays flat. You won’t want it cutting into your skin in the middle of the night.
• Not all necklaces feature a unisex design. Some are better suited to men than women and vice versa.
• If you’re sensitive to certain metals, consider surgical steel. Surgical steel is a generic term for a type of medical-grade, corrosion-resistant stainless steel that can help keep your skin comfortable and reaction-free.