A Jewelry Collector on the Best Chains Under $1,000
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If you were to ask almost any jewelry collector — including me — they’d say a chain is the type of piece everyone should buy (it’s higher on the list than diamond-solitaire studs, for sure). Here’s why: A chain gives you a real return on your investment. It’s extremely versatile in that it can be a place to add pendants and charms or it can shine on its own. That said, you don’t actually have to spend thousands to get a good chain. Or even a thousand. Here, I went on the hunt for chains from fine lines (meaning they’re made from precious metals like gold, sterling silver, and platinum) that are all less than $1,000. You’ll see everything from box to diamond-cut cable chains below (this is a helpful reference guide for different chain styles). And if you’re shopping for more jewelry, we have guides on the best hoops and studs, too.
Under $250
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It’s described as an ode to Catbird’s “Williamsburg neighbors, with freshly scrubbed lace-curtained windows, who leave bits of tinsel on their front gates.”
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This one resembles a lover’s lock of hair, in a Victorian sentimentality way.
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The littlest box chain from Mejuri’s fine line (in lieu of its vermeil).
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Available in every type of gold: yellow, white, and rose (and all priced equally).
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Quite a multifunctional chain: The different lobster clasps and jump rings mean it can be worn as a lariat, bracelet, or even an anklet.
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Historically, sailors got through high tides with their mariner chains in tow.
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Add on a Thanks Dad’s gem à la carte (be it tourmaline, topaz, aquamarine, amethyst, citrine, spinel, heliodor, scapolite, kunzite, ruby, or garnet).
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Really, they’re less starbursts and more sunbeams.
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By the nature of the links, the chain shouldn’t get too tangled.
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If a curb chain and a bar chain had a baby …
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Like the herringbone chain that is named after the fish’s skeleton, the snake’s for a serpent’s scales.
Under $500
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Like the snake chain that’s named after a serpent’s scales, the foxtail’s for a fox’s tail.
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The “diamond cut” refers to the way the links are faceted as diamonds are.
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Seemingly, the “pinched loop” is a close relation to the “paper clip.”
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It will arrive in that turquoise Tiffany’s box (which dates back to 1886, with “Tiffany blue” trademarked in 1998).
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Made entirely from solid-gold wire, the original design was among Bittersweets’ firsts.
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There’s a tiny diamond ring on the hand’s pinkie.
Editor’s note: The chain is currently sold out, but you can sign up to receive an email when it’s back in stock.
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The work of Italian goldsmiths, the Figaro chain might have been inspired by the character in Rossini’s Barber of Seville.
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It’s available in 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30 inches — one of the largest length ranges on this list.
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From the fine print: The company offers a lifetime guarantee on repair services, making the price here even fairer.
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A better deal for collectors than the single hinged-link version that costs $225 (compared to these three hinged links for $265).
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In terms of thickness, this is in the middle of curb-style chains sold by Marla Aaron, including the Mega Curb, Mini Mega Curb, Not So Heavy Curb, and Fine Curb.
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The drips of resin remind me of dewdrops on a leaf.
Under $1,000
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Fittingly, the chain equivalent of the little black dress comes from the department store with the Little Brown Bag.
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Because of the carabiner-style clasp, the chain should hold a lot of charms.
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Unlike the classic Cuban chain, Loren Stewart’s Havana is thinner.
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At the end of the swivel dog clip and spring ring clasp hangs a T-bar that’s based on the Albert watch chain (famously worn by the Prince Consort). For an additional fee, it can be studded with a sapphire cabochon.
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A happy marriage of yellow and white gold.
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Each of the 31 gold bars is 0.47 inches in size exactly.
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Dated to circa late-20th century, the chain appears to be an ’80s relic.
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Last year’s collaboration between Blanks and JewelBoxing remains on fellow writer Dominique Pariso’s wish list.
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And while Blanks’ ball chain is on the traditional side, Bruce’s has untraditional diamond-cut beads.
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The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
