Everyone has to start somewhere. My starting point was the clearance bin filled with cheap chain necklaces. I was after a cool look—something like those popular hip-hop chains or a solid choker. But I learned a tough lesson pretty quickly.
Buying cheap jewelry is just throwing money away. It looks fantastic for a day, then it falls apart. I decided to document my shift from disposable pieces to truly premium jewelry. If you want a chain that lasts, you need to level up. Here’s what you stand to gain:
My first chain cost $20. I stumbled upon it online while simply browsing the lowest-priced necklaces. In the product photo, it looked thick and substantial. It showed up in a plastic bag.
These lasted three weeks at most. The issue is thin plating. Cheap manufacturers apply a microscopic layer of gold or silver color over inferior metal. The moment you sweat or shower, that plating wears off. Then comes the dreaded green neck.
Here’s what reviewers consistently say about these chains:
You might save a few dollars upfront, but you’ll end up spending more by replacing the chain every month. It’s like buying the poorest quality materials for making beanie hats for men—you get holes almost immediately.
Action Step: If the product listing doesn’t clearly specify the metal type (like 316L Stainless Steel), don’t buy it. Assume it’s junk metal.
My next step up was a $40 chain. It was... okay. This is the most frustrating price range. These chains look genuinely good when they first arrive. The material might even be decent, perhaps 304 steel instead of a garbage zinc alloy.
The chain thickness was usually better here, which improved the appearance. But the craftsmanship was always the weak link. The plating was slightly thicker, so it lasted about two months instead of three weeks. However, I encountered new problems: