The Best Stainless Steel Chain Necklace

Buying Guide

When it comes to jewelry, there are some items you wear every day and others you wear for special occasions. With special occasion jewelry, you may prioritize a certain look over durability, especially if you’re only wearing it for a few hours. But for something you’ll wear all day, every day, quality should be top priority.

Stainless steel has become a popular metal for everyday jewelry for a reason. Steel itself is durable, and the stainless quality makes it easy to keep clean. But stainless-steel jewelry will also have a secret ingredient built in: chromium. Chromium is a hard metal that can be easily polished and doesn’t tarnish when exposed to air, making it a great addition to any stainless-steel jewelry.

If you’re looking for an everyday necklace, rope and link chains are likely your best option. As necklaces, these chains are comfortable to wear even when sleeping, and they don’t have jewels or beads that can be lost. You can even wear your stainless-steel necklace in the shower, although it’s always a better idea to remove it before showering or swimming.

There’s a versatility to stainless-steel necklaces that you don’t get with other types. You can sometimes choose the exact thickness and length you want, and some are neutral enough to work for both men and women.

You can also use add pendants to your stainless-steel chain necklace to glamourize the look. This allows you to use multiple pendants to get a different look from one event to the next. If you plan to regularly wear pendants with your chain necklace, make sure you choose one thin enough to fit through the enclosure on most pendants while also being sturdy enough to handle the extra weight.

• Your chain necklace could be marked as stainless steel, but the clasp might not be. Check to make sure all parts are stainless steel before buying.
• Make sure you check the length of the necklace before ordering one. Some are designed to stay close to the neck, while others drape down as far as the waist. Since length will vary on each person based on build, even if a necklace promises to be a certain length, it’s worth checking.
• You might occasionally need to clean your stainless-steel necklace, especially if you’re wearing it around the clock. You can buy stainless steel cleaner that’s specially formulated to clean the material without damaging it. You can also use water and mild soap to polish your necklace.
• Look at how your necklace clasps to make sure you can close and open it easily on your own. Lobster claw clasps are especially popular for necklaces, but they can be challenging. If a necklace is large enough, you might be able to slip it on and off without unfastening and refastening it.
• Some stainless-steel necklaces come with extra clasps. This comes in handy if your clasp someday breaks.
• Stainless steel comes in a variety of forms. Make sure you’re getting high-quality stainless steel to ensure it will provide the durability and shine you expect.
• Some manufacturers use a process called electroplating to keep rust and corrosion to a minimum. This coating serves as a barrier between the metal and the environment around it for that extra layer of protection.
• If you have a reaction while wearing stainless steel, it could be either a chromium or nickel sensitivity. These sensitivities are common, so you can find jewelry that promises to be chromium- and/or nickel-free.
• If you’ll be sleeping in your stainless-steel necklace, you might find that some are more comfortable than others. You’ll want to look for one that has smooth edges and a low profile to reduce the risk of it digging into your skin.