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By Jake Woolf and Michella Oré
Gold chains for...men? You better believe it. See, over the last few years, guys have embraced all kinds of jewelry with gusto, rocking pearls, beads, and not-so precious gemstones like their parents just let them loose in the accessories section at Claire's. But one piece of jewelry still reigns supreme: the simple gold chain. The type of necklaces we're talking about here are favored by fellas like Tony Soprano, who wore his gold pendant necklace while smoking cigars in the pool of his New Jersey mansion, and Michael Jordan, who rocked a duo of curb chain necklaces when he took off from the foul line in '87. (His Airness occasionally paired his with a single diamond-cut earring, too.)
What's behind the gold chain's enduring appeal? For one, gold will always be just a step above sterling silver, and in an entirely different league than stainless steel.The right gold chain also happens to be the easiest way to add some instant swagger to your summer outfits, without making you look like a perma-tanned Miami promoter trying to offload dubiously-sourced uppers outside of LIV. Versatile and understated (as long you want them to be), gold chains look just as good worn with a simple white tee as they do with your sharpest suit—preferably sans shirt à la Paul Mescal.
And best of all, the options are nearly endless. Are you going with white gold, rose gold, or yellow gold? A chunky rope chain or a more streamlined cable chain? A trendy choker or a classic collar? (And that's not even getting into karat count.) To help you find the necklace of your dreams, we went deep on the best gold chains for men, unearthing a treasure trove of choices from bestsellers and new arrivals alike—including a bunch that won't permanently curb-stomp your credit card.
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Surprise, surprise—you don’t actually have to spend a million bucks to look the part. In fact, the market for affordable gold jewelry has gotten much bigger and much better over the years. Whether you're just dabbling in the finer things or diving head-first into the gilded waters, a simple gold chain is a great way to jump-start your collection.
If you're looking for a necklace that packs a little more punch but isn't overly chunky, sling on a curb chain and be done with it. Defined by its oval interlocking rings that lay flat against the chest, the curb chain promises more visual oomph than simpler fare but still feels demure enough to hang with your office-ready shirts and sweaters.
When people say “go big or go home” these are exactly what they're talking about. Too many men’s gold chains come up short in the swagger department, but a hefty Cuban might just be swagger incarnate. The interlocking gold rings are heavy on shine and heft; if you've got a couple of extra Benjamins to spare one of these is a no-brainer.
When it’s time to pull out all the stops, old-fashioned notions like “discretion” and “humility” go out the window. Accessibility isn’t the point at this price range; making a lasting impression is. Instead of simple gold rope chains, you’ll encounter franco chains, figaro chains, or—brace yourself—mariner chains. Think of them as an opportunity to really let those stones shine. You can go the classic route with a diamond necklace or switch it up with a hit of sapphire and peridot.
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