Category: Gold Chains and Necklaces

Gold chains and necklaces in South Africa

Part of the gold jewellery collection at Aria Jewellery. Solid 9ct and 18ct gold chains, made to be worn every day. Nothing here is plated, so the gold runs through the whole piece and will not wear off at the clasp or along the edges where a plated chain always goes first.

This collection holds 46 pieces, from a personalised name necklace at R995 to a hollow 18ct curb chain at R215,850. Every chain is hallmarked, 375 for 9ct and 750 for 18ct.

Gold chain prices by style

Price is driven by weight far more than by style. A wider chain in the same design uses more gold and costs more. These are the starting prices for each style we stock.

Style	How it wears	From
Infinity, 1.75mm	The lightest solid gold chain we make. Good first gold chain.	R5,595
Anchor, 1.3mm and 1.8mm	Fine and flat. Sits well on its own or under a shirt.	R6,295
Rope	Twisted strands that catch light from every angle.	R9,790
Paper clip, 2.3mm	Elongated links. Modern, and the easiest to layer.	R11,520
Singapore, 2.5mm	Twisted and fluid. Moves with you rather than sitting stiff.	R12,990
Snake, herringbone	Flat and liquid against the skin. A statement on its own.	R15,990
Marina curb, 2.6mm	Curb links with a bar through each one. More texture.	R18,250
Belcher	Round, open links. The classic pendant chain.	R18,990
Curb, 3mm	Flattened interlocking links. The most worn chain in the world.	R19,790
Figaro, 4.4mm to 7.5mm	Alternating long and short links. Strong presence.	R20,990
Gucci link	Braided and interlocking. Italian made.	R32,990
Rolo, 5mm	Round links, heavy and even. Substantial on the neck.	R38,650
Hollow 18ct curb, 8.2mm	The widest chain we stock, in higher purity gold.	R215,850

Personalised gold necklaces sit lower, from R995. Browse those in personalised necklaces.

9ct or 18ct

	9ct gold	18ct gold
Pure gold content	37.5%	75%
Hallmark	375	750
Colour	Lighter, cooler yellow	Deeper, warmer yellow
Hardness	Harder, resists scratching better	Softer, marks more easily
Best for	Daily wear	Occasion pieces and colour
Price	Lower for the same weight	Higher for the same weight

If the chain is going on and staying on, 9ct is the practical choice and it is what most of this collection is made from. Choose 18ct when the colour matters more than the hardness.

Choosing a length

Length	Where it sits	Works for
40cm to 45cm	At the base of the neck	Worn alone, or as the top chain in a layer
50cm	Just below the collarbone	The most common choice. Suits most pendants.
55cm	On the chest	Heavier pendants, and layering under a 45cm
60cm and longer	Mid chest	Statement wear and men’s chains

If you are buying for someone else and cannot ask, 50cm is the safest length.

Choosing a width

Width	Feel	Pendant
1.3mm to 2mm	Fine and barely noticeable	Light pendants only
2.5mm to 3mm	Visible on its own, still discreet	Most pendants
4mm to 5mm	Clear presence	Heavy pendants, or worn alone
6mm and wider	A statement piece	Worn alone

A chain that is too fine for its pendant wears through at the bail. If you are pairing a chain with something heavy, go one width up.

How to tell solid gold from plated. Look for the hallmark, 375 or 750, usually near the clasp. Solid gold feels heavier than it looks. And check the price against the weight, because gold has a market value and nobody sells solid gold below it. If a listing does not state the carat, assume it is plated.

Explore the gold collection

Everything below is solid 9ct or 18ct gold from the same collection. Product counts are live.

Category	What is in it	Pieces
Gold jewellery	The full gold range, every type in one place	312
Gold rings	Dress rings, stacking rings, signets and solitaires	66
Gold earrings	Studs, hoops, huggies and drops	61
Gold pendants	Crosses, initials, hearts and charms to hang on a chain	38
Gold bracelets	Curb, figaro, belcher and tennis bracelets	29
Gold bangles	Solid and hinged bangles in 9ct gold	13
Rose gold chains	The same styles in a warmer tone	11
Gold plated	The lower price point, plated rather than solid	25

Reading rather than shopping? Our guides cover gold jewellery in South Africa, gold earrings and 9ct gold bangles, including prices, hallmarks and how to tell solid gold from plated.

Wearing and caring for gold

Gold does not tarnish. It can pick up a film from skin oils, cream and perfume, which dulls the shine rather than damaging the metal. Warm water, a drop of mild soap, a soft brush around the links and a dry cloth brings it back.

Take a chain off for the gym and for swimming pools. Chlorine attacks the alloys mixed into gold, and it is harder on jewellery than seawater is.

Store chains flat or hanging rather than in a heap, since a fine chain will knot against itself.

Delivery

Free insured delivery anywhere in South Africa, including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Gqeberha and Bloemfontein. Orders are tracked from our Cape Town workshop to your door.

Questions

Are these real gold chains?

Yes. Solid 9ct or 18ct gold, hallmarked 375 or 750. Nothing in this collection is plated. If you want plated at a lower price point, that is a separate range, gold plated jewellery.