Before you invest in a high-end chain, read about my experience. What began as a quest for a simple, elegant piece of jewelry turned into a major lesson in trust.
Here’s what I discovered:
Last month, I went out to dinner with my family to celebrate my brother’s new job. I was wearing a new chain with a beautiful, clear flower rhinestone pendant. My Uncle Tom, who’s old-school and always sported a heavy 14k gold men’s chain necklace, glanced at my neck and leaned across the table.
He asked, “Sheldon, that chain looks heavy. Is it solid gold? Where did you get it?”
I smiled, but I felt a knot in my stomach. I told him the truth—it wasn’t solid gold. However, the story behind how I ended up with this affordable piece is crucial. It’s a tale of big promises and poor business practices.
I started my search wanting a high-quality 14k gold men’s chain necklace for myself. I wasn’t interested in cheap items that turn green within a week. I wanted something substantial, something I could wear forever.
As I read reviews, I was shocked by the stories I found. It became clear that the jewelry industry often operates unethically, with customers treated poorly by well-known sellers.
One story I came across involved a man trying to buy a nice watch for his father. He was told the item was "hot," and the sales agent insisted he purchase "other jewelry pieces" first to "help" him move up the waitlist. There was no guarantee—just a tactic to pressure him into spending more. Authorized dealers leverage the brand to demand loyalty without offering any in return, forcing customers to buy unnecessary items just to get what they really want.
Verdict: If a company requires you to buy unrelated products to get on a list, walk away. They don’t value you as a customer.
Another alarming story involved repair services. Customers sent their precious chains back to the company for maintenance, which was supposed to be free, but they were charged high shipping and handling fees. Weeks later, the chains returned shorter and lighter, with links missing.
Imagine sending your 28-inch, 21-gram chain for repair and getting back a 26 and 7/8-inch chain weighing only 20 grams. Gold had been clipped off! Companies lied about repair completion dates, ignored calls, and refused to explain why the chains were shortened.
This happens frequently: