Three Factors to Consider When Buying Men’s Gold Chains

Are you hoping to buy a new men’s gold chain? Whether you’re buying a new chain for yourself or the special man in your life, there are several factors you should consider when making your purchase. With tons of jewelers offering a wide selection of men’s gold chains, choosing the perfect one in terms of style and quality can be a challenge. Consider the following factors to ensure you pick the right men’s gold chains.

Is it solid, plated or hallow?

When it comes to quality, asking whether the chain is solid, plated of hallow is very important. While plated gold chains are cheaper, they are the least durable. The gold plating will wear off and expose the metal underneath, so you’ll have to get it replated. Hollow men’s gold chains are also less expensive but can easily break or become dented. Unlike plated chains, they’re nearly impossible to repair, and therefore, you will need to be very careful when wearing a hollow gold chain. Though they can be more expensive than plated and hollow gold chains, a solid chain is the best option if you want a chain that’s durable and long-lasting.

Karats

Pure gold is incredibly soft, so jewelry manufacturers typically mix it with other metals to make an alloy and increase its durability. Silver, nickel, copper and palladium are among the most commonly used metals to create an alloy. Very few men’s gold chains are made of pure gold because they would dent and bend out of shape and be unable to withstand regular wear.

The karat tells you how much pure gold the chain contains. Pure gold is 24 karats. An 18-karat gold chain contains 18 parts in 24 of pure gold, while the remaining 6 parts consist of other metals. Similarly, a 14-karot gold chain has 14 parts in 24 of pure gold, and the other 10 are other metals. If you will be wearing the chain often, pick one that offers a good combination of beautiful luster and durability. The gold chain should have a stamp that designates the karat type.

Link Type

While the type of link you pick for your chain will reflect your style, it’s worth noting that some types of chain links kink and break more easily than others. For instance, herringbone, omega and round snake chains are prone to twisting and may catch on your clothing.

When picking a link type, you also want to think about how thick you want the links to be. If you’ll be wearing a pedant with your chain, choose a thicker chain that’s strong enough to handle the extra weight. Good link types to choose include box, wheat, rope, Figaro, curb and anchor chains.

With these tips, you’ll be sure to choose men’s gold chains that are of the highest quality and suit your individual style.