I've always loved the look of a great chain necklace. My journey began with the most affordable options, and I quickly learned some hard lessons. This is my story of finally upgrading to a quality 14k gold men's chain necklace.
My first purchase was incredibly cheap—I'm talking under $20. It was the "London Bridge Necklace Big Ben London Eye Cityscape Skyline Necklace Women Landscape Travel Stainless Steel Jewelry Silver Plated." I thought, "It looks cool in the picture!" Boy, was I mistaken.
It looked and felt cheap. The silver plating began to wear off after just one week. I wore it maybe four times before it broke. It was a total waste of money.
Here's what I learned from the cheap phase:
Verdict: Steer clear of super cheap necklaces. The few dollars you save aren't worth it.
I decided to upgrade to something in the mid-range, spending about $50 this time, thinking I'd get a much better product. It was... okay. It lasted longer than the first one—maybe a few months. But it still had issues.
The metal was better, but it still didn't look like real silver or gold. It appeared dull and lifeless. The clasp also felt flimsy. It wasn't a complete waste, but it wasn't something I loved wearing.
I began reading reviews more carefully and noticed many people had similar experiences. They were initially happy, but the quality didn't hold up over time.
Verdict: Mid-range necklaces are a gamble. Read reviews thoroughly and check out buyer photos.