I used to believe all necklaces were essentially the same. If it looked cool in the photo, I'd buy it. That was a major mistake. I learned the hard way that cheap jewelry ends up costing you more over time. I grew tired of the plating wearing off and my skin turning green.
This is my story of moving from cheap, plated junk to owning a high-quality sterling silver men's necklace chain that I can wear daily without a second thought. If you're considering upgrading your style, don't make a purchase until you read this.
Upgrading your chain offers three clear advantages:
My first few necklaces cost around $20 each. They lasted about three weeks. I bought what was trending on social media—big, chunky, fast-fashion pieces. I even tried a couple of statement items, like a peculiar green and white PU leather collar choker. It looked cool for roughly an hour.
The issue with chains this inexpensive is the material. They use an extremely thin layer of fake silver or gold plating over a base metal, typically nickel or brass. Nickel often causes severe skin reactions. That plating is thinner than paper and begins to fade the moment it contacts sweat or water.
When these chains failed, they failed spectacularly. The clasps broke quickly, and the color turned dark or brassy. I recall reading reviews that captured the experience perfectly:
This phase taught me a harsh lesson: Extremely cheap price = thin plating = fades within a week.
Action Step: Always check the material description. If it says "Alloy," "Plated," or lists nothing at all, avoid it. If the price seems too good to be true for real metal, it almost certainly is.
I then moved up to chains in the $35 range. These were usually marketed as "Heavy Duty Stainless Steel." They were... okay. Definitely an improvement over the $20 junk. They didn't fade, and my skin stayed its normal color.
Stainless steel is durable. Look specifically for 316L stainless steel. This grade indicates it's body-safe and highly resistant to rust. These chains solve the fading problem, but they introduce a style issue.
Mid-range stainless steel chains often appear dull. They lack the bright, reflective quality of real silver. They can also feel overly heavy and clunky, giving off an industrial rather than a refined vibe. I purchased a heavy Cuban link chain in this category. It was tough, but it never felt particularly special.