Interested in finding the top online destination for purchasing gold chains? Look no further than this comprehensive guide. Here, you’ll discover essential information on:
- The dissimilarities between 14 and 18K gold chains
- Whether or not gold chains are hypoallergenic
- Tips and tricks for identifying counterfeit gold chains
- And a plethora of additional valuable insights!
Best Places to Buy Gold Chains and Necklaces
Take a glance at my preferred selections below, and continue scrolling to uncover additional details on my ultimate buying recommendations, along with an all-inclusive FAQ section.
- Blue Nile (Ranked as my top pick)
- James Allen (Ideal warranty for gold chains)
- Helzberg (Best option for in-store gold chain purchases)
Buying Gold Chains at Blue Nile
There are numerous reasons why Blue Nile has become one of our preferred online retailers. Although they have a limited number of physical locations across the United States, including New York, California, Oregon, and Colorado, they primarily operate online.
As one of the pioneering online diamond retailers, Blue Nile has established a robust reputation in the industry. Their gold chain collection spans across a wide price range, starting from under $500 and extending beyond $2000. Whether you’re searching for affordable fine jewelry or luxurious options, Blue Nile has you covered. Additionally, their selection of 18K gold chains surpasses that of other retailers on this list.
If you’re seeking plain gold chains, Blue Nile has the most extensive collection among online stores. They also provide customers with the opportunity to create their own diamond pendant, enabling you to choose both the pendant and diamond from an array of gold pendant necklaces.
While Blue Nile has a solid reputation and a wide selection of gold chains, it’s important to note that they only offer a manufacturer’s warranty that covers design flaws, not routine maintenance. It would be beneficial to have a local jeweler on hand to take care of any repairs that may be needed in the future. A lifetime warranty that covers routine maintenance would be a great addition to their services.
Pros
- Wide range of chain options available
- Option to build your own pendant
- More choices available in 18K gold compared to other retailers
- Offers a nice range of prices to choose from
Cons
- No actual guarantee
RECOMMENDED: Blue Nile Review
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Buying Gold Chains at James Allen
James Allen is an online retailer of jewelry, specializing in selling engagement rings, wedding bands, loose diamonds and gemstones, and fine jewelry. While their selection of plain gold chains is limited, they offer a wide variety of unique gold diamond pendants and necklaces.
However, if you’re specifically looking for plain gold chains, James Allen’s inventory may not meet your needs. Most of their gold chains come with a pendant and are on a box chain. They do have an option to design your own pendant using loose diamonds or colored gemstones.
On the plus side, James Allen provides a free Lifetime Warranty, which is one of their strongest selling points. The warranty covers routine maintenance for your chains and pendants, including rhodium plating, clasps, and prong repair for those with gemstones.
Pros
- Lifetime warranty
- Build Your Own Pendant option
- Unique designs
Cons
- Limited selection of gold necklaces
- Few choices for plain gold chains
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Helzberg Gold Chain Purchases
Helzberg is a jewelry retailer that is comparable to other large chains like Jared and Zales, but it stands out as one of the few companies in the industry that has not been acquired by Signet Jewelers.
If you’re in the market for gold chains, Helzberg has an extensive collection of over 100 different options without any pendants. Their selection includes a variety of styles such as unique byzantine chains and Miami Cuban link, providing something for everyone.
In addition to offering a diverse selection of gold chains, Helzberg provides customers with the option to purchase a Lifetime Care and Jewelry Plan for their chains. This plan covers various repairs such as broken or worn clasps, broken chains, and rhodium plating for white gold chains. The cost of the warranty varies depending on the price of the chain. For example:
Pros
- Wide selection of chain styles
- Optional warranty available
- Both physical and online store options
Cons
- Additional cost for warranty
- Warranty can only be redeemed in-store
FAQs About Gold Chains and Necklaces
What’s the difference between 14K and 18K gold chains?
Pure gold consists of 24 parts, but it’s too soft for most jewelry. Therefore, gold is mixed with other metals, which is called an alloy to make it durable enough for wear. In 14K gold, 14 out of 24 parts are pure gold, while in 18K gold, 18 out of 24 parts are pure gold.
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The higher the gold content, the softer the metal becomes, which means it is less durable. For dainty and delicate gold chain styles, it is recommended to avoid high karat gold.
How can you tell a fake gold chain from a real one?
The FTC has a rule stating that all gold jewelry that is at least 10K should be inscribed with its karat number followed by K or KT somewhere in the metal. This inscription lets you know that the whole piece is made of real gold. If there is no stamp present, it is most likely fake gold.
Typically, you can find the karat stamp on the clasp or a small charm near the clasp. If your gold chain has a pendant, you may find the stamp on the pendant itself. If you don’t have good eyesight, you may need a magnifying glass or a jeweler’s loupe to see the inscription.
It’s also possible to see other markings besides the KT. For example, if a curb link chain is marked as 14KGP (14 Karat Gold Plated), then the piece is gold plated. This means that jewelers applied a very thin layer of real 14K gold on top of a different base metal, usually stainless steel or sterling silver.
Are Gold Chains Hypoallergenic?
While pure gold is soft, most jewelry is mixed with alloy metals, which can include nickel or other irritants. However, the amount of nickel content in 14 or 18K gold jewelry is minimal. Only individuals with severe metal allergies are likely to be affected. In general, gold is considered to be a more hypoallergenic metal.
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