How to choose the right gold chain?
There is hardly a more versatile piece of jewelry than a chain. Everyone, without exception, wears it - both adults and children; it can be complemented with a cross, a pendant, or in itself be an elegant detail of the image.
Thanks to the skill of jewelers, the gold chain has become an important style-forming element. Masterfully juggling in different genres, the masters create diverse models that combine romantic tenderness, impressive respectability, deliberate rudeness or teenage brutality.
There are many variations of chains, but each has its own characteristics: length, width, weaving (hand, machine), metal. Without taking these parameters into account, a hasty purchase will result in complete disappointment. The chain can prick and squeeze the neck, and even worse, it cannot withstand even three months of wear.
Which chains are the strongest? How to choose the optimal length for yourself? What is better to combine with? Read about this and more in our article.
How to choose a gold chain
Under no circumstances should you choose jewelry based solely on its weight. Before going to a jewelry store, you need to answer the questions: how often is the chain supposed to be worn, will it be complemented by a pendant, and if so, which one? How much money do you plan to spend on the purchase? Before choosing one option or another, you need to make sure of its quality and strength. Many unscrupulous manufacturers and sellers may pass off gold-pollinated metal as its pure version. You need to carefully examine the junctions of the fastener elements with the chain links - this is where unpainted areas may be visible.
Determining the optimal length of a gold chain
Paying attention to the style of weaving, women sometimes do not attach much importance to the length of the product. But in vain! It is this parameter that can play a cruel joke on you at the most inopportune moment - visually enlarging your chin, or making your neck rougher, and more.
The thickness and length of the chain should be selected in accordance with the composition of your body.
To ensure that the jewelry fits harmoniously into the image you have created, determine for yourself which area you want to emphasize with it - the neck, chest, or décolleté. Short models (35-40 cm) will emphasize the sophistication of a long neck, and those 40-50 cm are suitable for dresses with a deep neckline. Thin long chains (55-60 cm) visually elongate the body, so they will be very useful for Plus Size representatives.
The optimal size for a women's gold chain is 40–50 cm, for men's it is 50–60 cm.
You can find out which chain length is most suitable at home:
- Take an object that can be wrapped around your neck (thread, tape measure, cord) and make notches where the length of the intended chain should be. After that, measure the length from notch to notch. Take this indicator into account when choosing a chain in the store.
- Wrap a thread or lace around your neck so that it does not fit too tightly, and multiply the resulting figure by 2. If you want to wear a cross or pendant on a chain, add another 5-10 cm to the resulting value.
- Well, the easiest way is to measure the length of your favorite chain and base it on its length when choosing other jewelry.
How to distinguish a gold chain from a fake
You should buy jewelry in well-known jewelry stores, which can only provide you with a real product made of precious metal
If you doubt the quality of the model you like, carefully check the area with the clasp. If darkening, chips or sharp corners are visible there, you can say without a doubt that this is a fake. Another option to determine the quality of a gold chain is to rub it with an eraser. If the chain has turned pale and gold dust remains on the eraser, you have a cheap fake in your hands. Don't neglect the opportunity to look at a gold item. Jewelry made from precious metal is expensive, so it is necessary that its quality be excellent.
What is the best standard of gold?
The type and grade of metal is an individual choice for everyone. Here it’s worth starting from what models you can afford within your existing budget. Yellow, red or white gold - a chain in any shade looks stylish and beautiful if it is correctly combined with other jewelry in the set.
Silver chains also come in different shades due to gold plating. High-quality elite silver is sometimes difficult to distinguish from white aurum, but with daily wear it can change color.
In terms of practicality, 750 and 585 samples are the leaders, since they do not cause irritation and do not darken. A chain made of red and yellow aurum should have a pendant made of the same metal, while a chain made of white gold will suit any pendants.
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 and with what to wear a gold chain?
Wherever you put the chain on at the moment, remember - it should be that finishing touch that brings harmony, and not imbalance, to the image. Forget about the tandem silver ring + gold pendant. Create complete looks by choosing products in the same tone and color.
Keep your distance while wearing jewelry! A large gold ring + bracelet + watch will overload the image and create a repulsive impression.
General recommendations:
- If a woman's chain is quite massive, you should not combine it with large earrings;
- A thin gold chain will look harmonious with an equally thin bracelet;
- Combining chains of two different colors is acceptable if the outfit is completely monochromatic
A gold pendant is a great companion to a chain. With its help you can not only decorate the chain, but also adjust the proportions. For example, an elongated pendant will visually lengthen your neck.
The pendant should be lighter than the chain: cross-shaped - twice as light!
In order for both products to look harmonious, they must be selected taking into account their weight.
Avoid hollow chains. They attract with a budget price, because they are light in weight. However, such chains quickly wear out and break!
Types of gold chains for women
At any time, representatives of the fair sex have strived to look attractive. Cosmetics, clothing and jewelry are used for this purpose. Women's beautiful gold chains will adequately decorate your neck, wrists, legs or even waist. They can be of different lengths, thicknesses and differ in weaving. There are factory-made and handmade products. If you want something exclusive, you can make an individual order.
Women's gold chain around the neck
Jewelry made from expensive metals will never lose its popularity. They emphasize the elegance and social affiliation of the owner. Only the design and personal preferences change, which are influenced by global trends, age and style of clothing of the lady. This season, women's gold neck chains are recommended to be worn in several levels. A mixture of yellow and white metal is allowed. Geometry and abstraction are relevant. Be on trend by boldly wearing pendants of the most interesting shapes.
Women's gold chain on hand
Hand jewelry is the ideal finishing element of any look, giving it harmony and integrity. The most trendy massive women's chains are made of gold, so give preference to a variety of options complemented by beads, stones, leather ribbons, and engraved plates. This coming summer, the slave bracelet will come into fashion. It consists of one or more rings, a bracelet and connecting elements. This accessory came to us from the east. He attracts with his charm and attracts the glances of others.
Women's gold chain on the leg
No more chokers! Gold ankle chains for women are a real trend this summer. They have deservedly become the main accessory. A new look at anklets allows you to combine them not only with shiny sandals or dressy shoes, but also with sports shoes. Grunge is a sustainable style that is firmly entrenched in the fashion industry and will be relevant for at least several more seasons. The ability to mix luxury with casual outfits will highlight your sense of style.
Women's gold ankle chains come in several types:
- flexible profiles
- come in different thicknesses, consist of links, complemented by pendants, feathers, stones, openwork weaving, leather straps and the like; - rigid
– made of a single plate, available in flat or round shapes; - finger bracelets
are a ring and a bracelet that are combined into one piece of jewelry. There are options made entirely of metal or can be decorated with stones or pearls.
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.
