Men's Chains That Hold Up

A man's first good chain usually comes down to five styles. Here they are in the current catalog, all 10K gold.

Width should match your frame and your goal. On a slim build, 3 to 5 mm looks deliberate. On a bigger frame, 5 to 7 mm keeps the chain from disappearing. Over 7 mm, the chain is the outfit. Style changes perceived size too: a 3 mm rope or Franco looks bigger than a 3 mm cable, because the twisted and woven links throw light in more directions. If you are torn between two widths, the wider one usually wins once it is on. In this catalog, that last group is the hollow Cubans, like the Hollow Cuban Chain 7.5mm ($2,870), which give width without the price of solid gold at that size. The width guide has a size-by-size view.

Brilliant Earth's men's guide puts 20 inches at the collarbone, 22 inches on the upper chest and 24 inches at mid chest. Neck size shifts this: a thicker neck uses up length, so size up one length if your collar runs large. Pendant wearers usually go 24 inches so the piece sits mid chest. See the full chart in our men's chain length guide.

All chains here are 10K gold, 41.7 percent pure. It is harder than 14K or 18K, which matters on a chain that rubs against itself all day. Most styles are solid. The hollow ones are labeled in the title. Solid costs more but takes knocks; hollow gives more width per dollar but can dent. Read the Cuban buying guide and the weight chart before spending on a heavy piece.

A lobster clasp is the most common closure and works on most chains. Heavy chains should have a box clasp with a safety latch. Wash your chain in warm soapy water once a month and brush between the links; sweat and cologne dull gold fast in Miami heat. When you are ready for diamonds, the showroom carries iced lab-grown house necklaces graded E color, VS1. Start at men's jewelry or men's gold chains.

Buy the chain you will wear every day first. Statement pieces come second, because a chain you leave in the box costs the most per wear. Then build around it. A matching gold bracelet in the same color ties the look together, and a pendant on a second, thinner chain lets you change the look without buying a new main chain. Keep metals consistent: yellow with yellow, white with white, unless you are stacking on purpose. Browse the wrist side at men's bracelets.

A chain looks different on your neck than on a screen. The showroom is at 7900 NW 27th Ave, Unit 506, Miami FL 33147, call 954-504-5640 first. Every online order ships insured, and each listing has one price across its lengths. For something not in the catalog, start a custom build with a design and exact price up front. More styles at all chains.