From $20 Plated Chains to $49 Quality: How My Jewelry Game Completely Changed

I’ve always loved the look of a classic gold chain, but I wasn’t about to spend thousands on solid gold. So, I started buying cheap jewelry online. It was a hard lesson to learn: cheap jewelry is almost always a waste of money.

My search for the perfect men’s 14k gold necklace taught me three key things:

• Durability matters far more than the initial price.
• Always check the base metal—316L Stainless Steel is the gold standard.
• Good customer service means the company truly stands behind its product.

Stage 1: The Cheap Phase ($15–$25)

My first chain cost $20 and lasted maybe three weeks. When it arrived, it had that bright, shiny yellow look, and I thought I’d scored a deal. Then I took my first shower with it on.

The issue with chains in this price range is the plating. It’s incredibly thin—often called “flash plating”—which is essentially just painted on. It wears off almost immediately, revealing cheap alloys underneath that can turn your skin green or black.

I kept seeing reviews that said things like:

• “Looked fake straight out of the box.” (1 Star)
• “The color rubbed off after one shower, and my skin got itchy.” (2 Stars)

Verdict: Avoid chains under $25. They’re essentially disposable. If you’re looking for a quality men’s 14k gold necklace, skip this tier entirely.

Stage 2: The Mid-Range Phase ($30–$40)

I moved up to chains around $40. They were… fine. Definitely an improvement over the $20 options. Sellers often claimed these used a better base metal, like copper or low-grade steel.

The plating was a bit thicker here. Instead of fading in weeks, these lasted two or three months. But they still had significant flaws:

• The color was often too brassy or too pale.
• The clasps felt cheap and broke easily.
• The finish faded unevenly.

These chains typically got three-star reviews with comments like: