Home Accessories Men’s Gold Chains: How to Choose the Right One for You

Men’s Gold Chains: How to Choose the Right One for You

Men’s Gold Chains: How to Choose the Right One for You
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

A common way of using gold in jewelry is a gold chain. Gold chains have different styles and lengths, contrary to what most people think – that it is a simple one-choice item. Whether you wear it simply around your neck or with a pendant, it is quite challenging to pick one. Today we will focus on men’s gold chains. In choosing the right one for you, here are the things you need to consider.

Understanding Karats

Before buying a gold chain, you need to know and understand the karats. The karats are an indication of the purity of gold used to make the gold chains. The higher the karat, the softer and less durable the chain is, and the lower the karat, the durable the chain is. The highest karat is 24, and the ideal karat would be 10 or 14.

Is the chain solid, plated, or hollow?

Gold chain
Image by sara graves from Pixabay

When choosing a gold chain, not many people consider what the chain is made of. If you buy a gold chain, it’s not really made of pure gold only. As mentioned above, the purer the gold, the less durable the chain. When a gold chain is made, other materials are mixed into gold to make the chain more durable. When choosing a gold chain, one thing to ask is whether it is solid, plated, or hollow?

Solid chain

When you say solid gold, it is not necessarily made of 100% pure gold as it will make it less durable. A solid gold chain can be 22k to 10k, but karat’s best choice when you consider the chain’s appearance and strength is 18k or 14k of gold.

Plated chain

A gold-plated chain is not really considered a gold chain. It is a chain made of who knows what material is, technically a non-gold material. It is called gold-plated because it is dipped in gold to make it look like a gold chain. Why did we bring it up even if it’s not a gold chain? It’s because it can still be a choice if you are opting for a less expensive option.

There are also cases that solid gold can be plated. But before you get all confused and turn your back on us now, you need to hear this out first. Other companies, especially Italian companies, plated their 14k gold chain with an 18k plating to make it look richer in gold. It is just for the sake of color, but it is still a solid gold chain.

Hollow Gold Chain

A hollow gold chain is also referred to as semi-solid. It is like solid gold but with a hollow space inside like a tube. A hollow chain will look like a solid gold chain, but you need to weigh the chains to know which is which. The lighter chain in weight is the hollow one.

Sizes of the Chain

To choose a chain, you also need to consider the sizes of the chain. There are different widths for every chain. But the length of the chain for men usually ranges from 18 to 24 inches for every chain.

Choose your Clasp

It may seem unimportant but choosing the right clasp is as important as choosing the right chain. Clasp helps your chains to be locked so they won’t fall off your neck. There are many clasp varieties, but the most common ones are the ring clasp, lobster claw clasp, and hook clasp.

Types of Gold Chains for Men

There is a large variety to choose from when it comes to men’s gold chains. We will be showing you the most common and most popular ones.

Ball Chains

This type of chain is commonly used for dog tags. It is made of a ball-shaped metal spaced with some distance or is linked together with tiny spaces to allow movement. The thickness of the beads generally varies between 1 to 2 millimeters in thickness.

Curb Chains

Curb chain
Image by aixklusiv from Pixabay

The curb chain is a basic chain design with a classic style and is adored by both genders. Famous artists today popularized wearing a curb chain with diamonds. A curb chain is made of identical links that lay flat and are interlocked together. It is another strong chain that will stand the test of time and is commonly thick and heavy. 

Cable Chains

Cable chains are a common and classic design. It is made of oval links connected to form a chain and can vary in width and length. You can achieve different styles with ease using a cable chain. It is a great option if you’re looking for a simple style approach, and you can put your favorite pendant on it.

Wheat Chains

The wheat chain is made of oval links plaited together in the same direction creating a beautiful braided pattern that resembles the tips of wheat stalks. Like any other chain, it also comes in a variety of sizes. If you opt for a thinner option, a 3 mm wide wheat chain will look exceptional with a pendant. For thicker chains, it is best to wear them by themselves. 

Herringbone Chains

The Herringbone chains is a unique design made of V-shaped links that creates a liquid effect. A herringbone chain doesn’t need a pendant. It looks great on its own. This chain is beautiful, but the only disadvantage is that it kinks, and there’s a tendency of pulling and pinching finer hairs on the neck or the chest.

Franco chains

Franco chains being a statement design, looks great on their own. It is an Italian design made by interweaving the V-shaped links of two to four curb chains.

Box Chains

A great alternative to a ball chain is the box chains because of their elegance and sturdiness. Box chains are made of square links connected. It is a durable chain that can hold a pendant very well. Its durability and uniqueness make it stand out among the rest. It is a timeless classic that will give you a sophisticated look.

Rope Chains

Rope chains are made of small links that form a twisted and spiral-like pattern resembling a rope. A rope chain is a popular chain because it is one of the strongest chains for men. If you want to wear a thin chain for a heavy pendant, a rope chain is the best option for you. And if you opt for a thicker option, it will look best on its own, just like the wheat chain.

Figaro Chains

Figaro chain
Image by Lurpino, via Wikimedia Commons

A Figaro chain is like a curb chain. The only difference is its links. After every two to three shorter links, follow one larger link. Just like curb chains, Figaro chains are also durable.

Anchor/Mariner Chain

This type of chain is designed after anchor chains used on ships. Anchor/mariner chain is good for a sea lover. This chain is like a combination of cable and curb chain. It is made of an oval link, just like a cable chain. The difference is that it has a horizontal bar in the middle of each of the oval links, and it lies flat, just like the curb chain.

Takeaway

Choosing the right gold chain is never easy if you want to choose the best for you. We’ve put up the information above to guide you in choosing the right one. Not the right girl, but the right gold chains.

Featured Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash