A neck chain is one of the few pieces of jewelry that is worn by both women and men. Today, the choice in stores is very large; chains are sold not only from gold and silver, but also platinum, jewelry steel, and leather. How to choose the right men's and women's chains, what to look for and what they are like?
Men's gold chain
Which standard of gold is preferable for a chain?
The sample is the first thing you should pay attention to.
IMPORTANT! The higher the fineness, the higher the percentage of gold. And the lower it is, the stronger the decoration.
585
In the countries of the post-Soviet space, the 585 test is most common. It contains 58.5% gold . The rest is copper, silver, palladium, nickel.
585 gold corresponds to 14 carats. Such products are affordable, highly durable, and do not darken over time. Therefore, many deservedly consider this sample to be the best
.
750
In Europe, 750 sample is preferred. It contains 75% pure gold , as well as other metals. Corresponds to 18 carats . This gold is more malleable, which allows you to create beautiful jewelry. But it also costs more.
958, 999
In the manufacture of jewelry, 958 and 999 samples are also used.
IMPORTANT! It is not advisable to buy chains of 958, 999 samples, since they have a soft structure and quickly lose their appearance.
And their price is almost identical to the cost of pure alloy.
How to choose metal for a chain?
If you are choosing a chain for everyday wear, then opt for precious metals - it could be silver, gold, platinum, etc. A jewelry chain, even coated, can not only wear off from regular exposure, but sometimes also cause an allergic reaction. reaction.
- Gold is one of the best options for such a product. Gold assays vary, and for each assay there are several grades, differing in color and price. The most common sample is 585, it has an optimal price-quality ratio. You can buy a chain made in white, yellow and red colors of this sample. The 750 standard is also valued; it also comes in several colors.
- Silver is much cheaper. With proper care, it will look elegant and stylish. However, silver reacts with substances containing sulfur. Therefore, even in the air it becomes stained after a while. But cleaning silver is not a big problem.
- Platinum is also a good option, but few can distinguish it from silver or white gold, and it costs more. That's why connoisseurs buy platinum jewelry.
- One of the options for beautiful, but slightly less expensive jewelry is gilded silver. The product will be made of noble metal, and will have the appearance and some properties of gold, and the price will be several times lower. The main disadvantage is increased abrasion. Such chains require more careful handling, otherwise the gold plating may wear off. It can be reapplied in any workshop.
Basic parameters for choosing a gold chain
When choosing a chain, pay attention to the following parameters.
Length
When determining the length, proceed from the age, configuration, and style of the person for whom the chain is intended.
- If the jewelry belongs to a girl with a graceful neck, a long chain will do.
- For an elderly lady, it is better to choose a short chain that will not draw attention to wrinkles in the décolleté area.
- A short chain is not suitable for special occasions, but for a strict style it is just right.
- Short products are more suitable for men.
Thickness
Neck chains can be thin, medium, or massive. Focus on the situation.
- If you need to hang a cross, choose a thin chain.
- A thicker one would be suitable for a pendant.
- Massive items are worn without pendants.
Weaving
Weaving plays an important role when choosing jewelry. It depends on the appearance, as well as ease of operation. For example, some types of weaving are very impractical because they constantly get tangled. As a result, the chain constantly clings to clothing and may even break.
ADVICE! To wear a pendant, the preferred technique is “spikelet” or Persian weaving. These products are flexible and practical.
You should choose the type of weaving based on your own style and whether it will be worn with a pendant . For added weight, the decoration must be durable.
Types of weaving
These types of weaving are popular.
- Anchor . Consists of round or oval elements connected perpendicularly. Looks good with large pendants and pendants.
- Bismarck (spiral) . Suitable for men and women, looks good with classic style.
- Nonna (double or triple weave of oblong links) . Very reliable and durable, does not require pendants.
- Armored (looks like a tank caterpillar). Very durable due to double armor weaving, goes well with large pendants. This product is ideal for everyday wear, as it is made from solid links . Doesn't twist.
- Snake (tourniquet). Looks like a cord and fits perfectly with the pendant.
IMPORTANT! Jewelers recommend not leaving such a chain on your neck overnight.
About the length of the chain
There are no clear guidelines for choosing the length of the chain and cannot be. The main thing you should focus on is your own taste. So, some believe that the length of the neck chain for women should be such that the decoration is free. Others, on the contrary, like it when the decoration practically wraps around the neck, leaving no extra space.
In general, we can say that all manufacturers follow a single system of measures. Regardless of the material, for example, a women's chain made of white gold, silver, platinum will be a multiple of five. So, before making a purchase, you can familiarize yourself with the following list:
- 40-45 cm are the shortest chains for both women and men.
- 50-55 cm - a universal option (not too short, but not long either).
- 75-85 cm is a long version, which is sold in stores extremely rarely.
And even if after the list you still have doubts about how to choose a women’s gold chain, you can take your own measurements. To do this you will need:
- Take a string and wrap it around your neck, creating a chain of the desired length;
- Fix the rope in the selected position and measure the length using a ruler;
- Be sure to round up the received data to a multiple of five.
The resulting figure will become the appropriate size for the women's chain. You can remember it, and in the future you will no longer doubt your choice.
Additional selection options
Clasp
Even the strongest chain can be lost if it has a bad lock. The fastener should be reliable and not cause inconvenience when fastening/unfastening. We present the most common options.
- Springelny . They are used to equip elegant jewelry that does not exceed a weight of 5 g . It is important that the ring connecting the latch to the decoration is sealed.
- Carbine. It works clearly with a characteristic click due to the spring built inside.
- Clock mechanism . Very reliable, provides a strong connection. Moreover, it allows you to adjust the length of the decoration within 1 cm.
- Box lock . They are equipped with massive products weighing over 20 g. Very durable due to wire fuses.
Volume
The wearability of a chain also depends on its volume. Many people choose hollow products because they are cheaper. But they are significantly inferior in quality to solid ones. Thus, they are more susceptible to deformation, and if broken, they are more difficult to restore.
If you pay attention to all of the above parameters, you will definitely purchase a women's gold chain that will delight you for a long time.
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Purchase
To buy today you don’t even need to leave your home. Almost all jewelry stores (including small regional chains) have their own websites with samples of work and products.
A chain is the most versatile and self-sufficient decoration; it can be selected in the catalog separately from earrings, rings and bracelets. Having selected the optimal length and desired type of weaving, all that remains is to compare the offers of different jewelry stores.
Perhaps the most important detail in this product is its lock. Even the most durable and reliable jewelry can hang on your neck for only a few days if it is not securely fastened. The most durable jewelry locks: carabiners (usually included with more massive jewelry) and springel locks (round carabiners for elegant thin models).
Don’t rush to choose: the advantage of online shopping is that you are not limited to the assortment of one store, a persistent consultant will not be able to convince you, and you can slowly choose the product you like with the most attractive characteristics. Put a future purchase in your cart: often online stores remind you by email the next day about the item you forgot and offer discounts so that you come back and complete your purchase. This way you can reduce the price by 5-10% and get other benefits: free case, annual cleaning, courier delivery, etc.
https://youtu.be/Ca2TvvqQYMU
The rich assortment that jewelry stores offer forces you to carefully choose. Buying gold jewelry is not an ordinary event, so you need to carefully prepare for it. A well-chosen (no difference - from a photo or in real life) women's gold chain will delight you for many years. It can be inherited by a daughter, and can be used as a cash equivalent in difficult financial times.
Product thickness
Gold chains and women's bracelets should not only be suitable in length. An important indicator is their thickness. It is measured in millimeters, and can be:
- thin – 2-3 mm.
- average – 4-5 mm.
- massive - from 7 mm and above.
Moreover, the latter option must be worn without pendants.
Jewelry is also selected depending on the age of the future owners. Thin gold chains are more suitable for young women, and massive ones for the older generation.
How to care for silver items
Silver jewelry retains its attractiveness for a long time and can be passed on by inheritance.
Caring for silver products is not difficult, but you need to store silver correctly. Such products should be stored in a separate box with soft cloth inside. The most expensive items are wrapped in soft flannel and stored separately: they won’t need cleaning for a long time. If the chain does become dark, you can clean it at home without the help of a jeweler. One option is to boil the product with soda and salt in a container whose bottom is covered with foil. You can clean the chain with a mixture of toothpaste, baking soda and ammonia. After cleaning, the jewelry is rinsed with water.
If the silver has just lost its shine, the chain is wiped with a cloth. Small dark stains can be easily removed with lemon juice or a vinegar saline solution. A silver chain can be cleaned even with Coca-Cola: leave it or boil it in the drink. Only after this should the chain be rubbed with foil.
Wear silver jewelry with pleasure. Let them become a successful addition to your image and bring you joy.
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How to spot a fake one?
Is the gold chain you are about to buy actually made of gold? How can you tell if a chain is fake?
Let's take a look at how fake gold chains are made and how you can spot them.
Fake gold chains are not made of pure gold, and are often simply gold plated. This means that the chain is made from a different metal (or non-gold alloy) and is plated with only a thin layer of gold plating to make the jewelry look like real gold jewelry.
False gold chains can also be items that pass off as jewelry made from pure precious metal.
Similar to gold plated items, these chains are also made from non-gold metals, but instead of being plated with gold, they are wrapped in a thin sheet of gold that is bonded to the base metal under high heat.
When it comes to fake gold chains, also keep in mind that in the US, jewelry that is less than 10 carats cannot be sold as gold.
