Gold Necklaces

For a chain alone, without a pendant, see gold chains.

The karat stamp is the first thing to check on any gold necklace. 10K reads "10K" or "417", 14K reads "14K" or "585", and 18K reads "18K" or "750". The numbers are parts per thousand of pure gold. The FTC requires gold jewelry to be marked with its true karat, and US stamping rules allow the actual content to fall short of the mark by no more than 3 parts per thousand, or 7 on soldered pieces. Gold-plated or "gold tone" pieces have no karat stamp. The real gold guide and real Cuban guide go through the at-home checks.

10K gold is 41.7 percent pure gold. It is harder and more scratch-resistant, a good fit for a necklace worn every day. 14K is 58.3 percent gold, with a richer yellow and a higher price for the same design. The rosaries here are 14K; most other pieces are 10K. For skin that reacts to metals, higher karat means less alloy. Compare them at 10K vs 14K gold and the gold karat guide.

Many of these ship on a 16 inch chain, which sits just above the collarbone on most women. An 18 inch chain rests on the collarbone and 20 inches falls just below. The Gold Drawstring Chain ($695) adjusts up to 28 inches, which makes it an easy gift when you do not know the size. Remember that the pendant adds its own drop.

Several of these mix gold colors. The Trinity weaves yellow, white and rose bands together. The two-tone owl, tree of life and heart pieces combine yellow and white. Mixed-color pieces are the easiest to layer because they match whatever else you wear. To layer, space chains 2 inches apart, like 16 and 18, with the heavier piece lower.

These words are defined in the FTC Jewelry Guides, and they are not the same thing. Solid gold means karat gold all the way through, marked 10K, 14K and so on. Gold filled is a base metal with a layer of karat gold bonded to it, at least one twentieth of the total weight. Gold plated or electroplated means a much thinner layer, at least 0.175 microns of karat gold. Vermeil is sterling silver coated with karat gold at least 2.5 microns thick. Plated layers wear through with time; solid gold does not. Everything on this page is solid gold.

A final point on value. Because these pieces are solid gold, they hold their metal content for life. A plated necklace that costs a fraction of the price is a short-term accessory, while a solid gold piece can be worn daily for decades and passed down.

Gold does not tarnish, but it does pick up lotion, perfume and skin oils. Wash in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, rinse and pat dry. A soft toothbrush clears the links. Store each necklace clasped and apart, so fine chains do not knot and harder pieces do not scratch softer ones. The gold chain cleaning guide covers what to avoid, like chlorine. Every order ships insured. Plain gold weight drives price, as the Cuban weight chart shows. See them at the showroom at 7900 NW 27th Ave, Unit 506, Miami FL 33147. More at necklaces.