I understand the appeal. You want a stylish chain without breaking the bank. I was in the same boat. I wasted money on five different "bargains" before learning my lesson. Every single inexpensive chain broke, lost its color, or left a green mark on my neck.
I made these errors so you can avoid them. Finding a quality men's necklace is straightforward if you follow these guidelines.
Here’s what you’ll gain from this guide:
I began my search with one filter: the lowest price. That was a huge mistake. I found a stylish 18k gold-plated chain advertised for $12. It looked fantastic in the photos. I thought, "This is a steal!"
The issue is that jewelers have to cut costs somewhere. When the price is extremely low, they use very thin plating. That thin layer of gold or silver wears off quickly. Once it wears off, the inexpensive base metal underneath is exposed. This base metal is often a copper or zinc alloy, which reacts with your sweat and body oils.
The result? The dreaded green neck. The chain lost its luster after just three days and looked awful after one shower.
When I finally started spending a bit more, I still made a critical error. I bought a chain labeled "Hypoallergenic Alloy." It sounded good, but the term was too vague. I didn't check for specific material codes.
Many "alloys" contain nickel, which is the primary cause of skin irritation and green or black marks. When buying a men's necklace, you need concrete facts, not marketing jargon.
The most reliable and budget-friendly materials are: