Have you heard the saying “diamonds are a girl’s best friend”? This time tested adage may still hold true, but for the modern, stylish gentleman, there’s another true adage and that’s diamond chains for men are a must-have accessory.
Diamond chains for men are seen on everyone from the Hollywood elite, to the hottest rappers, and the sharp-dressed businessman.
They are an accessory that fit in any situation and are the perfect final touch to take your look to the next level.
What do I need to know about the value of diamond chains?
You want to be selective when choosing a diamond chain as they are some of the most expensive pieces of jewelry out there.
The price tag for Diamond chains for men is driven up by the amount of precious materials that go in their crafting. A quality diamond chain will use gold, silver, and other precious metals as the setting for the diamonds, and good quality quantities of these material will not come cheap.
Many jewelers will offer you diamond chains that use gold of 10k, 14k, and 18k. Depending on what option you choose the prices will vary and the higher the carats, the higher the amount of pure gold in the chain and the higher the value and price.
Of course, the diamonds themselves will also affect the price. The number of diamonds used in the chain as well as the quality of the stones used need to be taken into consideration.
The diamonds in a chain need to be carefully selected and, depending on their size, the carats, the clarity, and even the color, the value of each stone will increase and this will also affect the final price. Don’t forget, a chain also uses multiple diamonds, which means that you will be paying more than you would say a pendant with a single diamond.
A quality diamond chain, however, will be worth the expense as it will give you a classic and timeless accessory that will never go out of style and might actually increase in value as it ages.
What is the proper fit for a diamond chain for a man?
The average length of men’s chains is usually about 50cm. A chain this length can be worn on the inside or the outside of a shirt.
At this length, the chain should end up falling at the collar bone just between the top two buttons of a men’s shirt.
The standard width of a men’s chain is around 2 to 6mm. This is considered a good width for a subtle but striking chain that can be easily worn inside your shirt.
If you are looking for something more eye-catching however, you should go for a wider, chunky chain with a width of 12 mm or more.
Take note, though, if you opt for a chunky, wide chain, you will have to make it a little longer otherwise it might look awkward.
For a chain with a width of 12 mm or more, go for a length of 61-76 cm. This might mean that you will need to wear the chain on the outside of your shirt but, as it’s really designed to be attention grabbing, it would be counter-intuitive to “hide it” in your shirt.
What type of metal should a diamond chain for men be made of?
When choosing the metal for a diamond chain, you need to consider the materials durability as well as your budget.
Yellow gold and silver are an attractive choice and there are many affordable options out there. The contrast between a yellow gold or silver base and a shiny diamond is quite attractive and gives the chain a classic and sophisticated look.
The downside to having a diamond chain of these materials however is that these are soft metals, which mean that they might wear down faster and the links might break if you use the chain every day. This means that a chain of pure gold or silver might be best used as a “special occasion” piece and not as a daily part of your look.
A more durable option for you to choose would be a platinum diamond chain. This type of chain will cost a bit more, but you will be able to get more out of your investment in the long run.
A platinum chain is sturdier and it won’t wear out as fast as gold and silver. If you want an accessory that you can wear daily, platinum is your best choice.
You can also consider white gold, which is a lot more durable then yellow gold and more affordable than platinum. White gold is a gold alloy, which means it is made up of gold that is mixed with other metals like silver or palladium that make it harder and more durable than pure gold.
White gold is another popular material for diamond chains for men as as it reduces the contrast between the diamonds and its metal settings.
In general, white metals like white gold, silver, and even platinum can make the diamonds seem brighter and bigger.
What types of diamond chain necklaces are available and which is best for me?
Diamond chains for men consist of a base or setting crafted from precious metals to come in a variety of colors such as yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, silver, and platinum. Multiple diamonds are then set into the base.
Most diamond chains for men come in what’s called the “tennis chain” or “tennis necklace” style. These classic statement pieces are a sophisticated way to add some bling to your look.
The tennis diamond chain is considered timeless and is appropriate for daily use as well as for formal events.
A tennis chain is basically a string of small diamonds that are linked together in a thin chain made of precious metal. Most tennis chains are made of 14k or 18k gold and or platinum.
With tennis chains, there are commonly three types of setting available. The most basic is the prong setting, where three or four prongs hold each individual diamond in its place along the chain. This setting allows more light to pass through the diamond, which maximize their brilliance and really makes them stand out.
Another setting that is commonly used with tennis chains is the channel setting. Here the stone is placed in the middle of two rows of thin metal. Meanwhile, a bezel setting surrounds the entire stone with metal. Channel and bezel settings make for a sleek and modern looking chain.
The disadvantage to the channel and bezel settings are, compared to prong settings, they present less of a surface for light to pass through, so compared to a necklace with a prong setting they might be a little less brilliant. However, they are stronger and more secure, which means that they are sturdy chains that will stand up well to constant use.
Another popular type of diamond chain is what’s called a graduated diamond tennis chain. With this type of chain, you have one central stone which is flanked by smaller diamonds. This is a dramatic and stylish accessory that will draw attention towards your face.
Another style for diamond chains for men is what’s called the cuban link chain. With these types of chains, the links are designed to interlock when the chain is laid flat.
Cuban link diamond chains are usually thick and clunky chains that really standout and allow you to make a statement with your look. Thick Cuban link diamond chains are a favorite accessory of rappers and hip hop artists and aficionados. They are popular accessories for those trying for an urban or street style.
Take note, however, since they use more metals to make those thick links, they might be a little more expensive then a tennis chain.