Category: Mens Jewellery

Chains and necklaces in South Africa

The full chain and necklace collection at Aria Jewellery. Solid 9ct and 18ct gold, 925 sterling silver and rose gold, made to be worn every day rather than kept for occasions.

A chain is the piece you wear most. It sits on the neckline every day, it carries your pendant, and it works with everything else you own. Nothing here is plated, so the metal runs through the whole piece and cannot wear back to base metal at the clasp or along the links.

This collection holds 75 pieces. It starts at R75 for silver on a cord and runs to R36,900 for a 5mm solid gold rope. Personalised name necklaces are made in silver or 9ct gold, so those start lower than the solid gold chains.

Buying a chain online comes down to four decisions. The metal, the style, the length and the width. Get those right and the chain does exactly what you want it to do. All four are covered below.

Chain prices by style

Price follows weight and metal. The same style in 9ct gold costs several times the silver version, which is why one collection can span R75 to R36,900.

Style	How it wears	From
Cord and choker	A silver detail on a fine cord. The lightest way into the collection.	R75
Paper clip, silver	Elongated links. Modern, and the easiest style to layer.	R895
Name and initial	Cut to your wording in silver, gold plated silver or solid gold.	R995
Omega	Smooth flexible mesh that holds its shape. Built to carry a pendant.	R2,595
Figaro	Two or three short links then one long. The most requested men’s style.	R2,995
Rolo	Even round links. Neater than a belcher and just as strong.	R4,485
Tennis	A continuous line of stones. An occasion piece rather than a daily chain.	R6,595
Curb and cuban, silver	Flattened interlocking links, cut thicker and tighter for cuban.	R6,895
Knotty	Heavy woven links with the weight of a gold chain at silver prices.	R7,900
Rope, 9ct gold	Twisted strands that catch light from every angle.	R9,790
Paper clip, 9ct gold	The same modern link in solid gold, 2.3mm.	R11,520
Singapore	A finer twist that sparkles at a lower weight. Suits a small pendant.	R12,990
Snake, or herringbone	Flat plates forming one smooth surface. Lies flat against the skin.	R15,990
Marina and anchor	A bar across each link. Adds strength and a nautical look.	R18,250
Belcher	Round open links. The classic South African gold chain, and the safest choice for a heavy pendant.	R18,990
Anchor, 18ct rose gold	Fine at 1.30mm. Layers well with yellow gold.	R19,940
Rope, 5mm	A statement chain with the weight to match.	R36,900

Gold chains and necklaces

Gold is the reason most people buy a chain once instead of three times. It does not tarnish, it does not react with skin the way cheap alloys do, and it holds its value. Our gold chains and necklaces collection holds 46 pieces in 9ct and 18ct, in yellow, white and rose.

The 9ct Gold Rope Chain starts at R9,790 and is where most buyers start. The 9ct Gold Singapore Chain in 2.5mm at R12,990 gives you a finer twist that suits a pendant. The 9ct Gold Snake Chain, also called a herringbone, sits at R15,990 and lies completely flat. The Gold Belcher Chain at R18,990 is the traditional round link South African buyers ask for by name, and the 5mm Thick Gold Rope Chain at R36,900 is a statement piece with the weight to match.

To see every gold chain we carry, open the gold chains collection, which holds 58 pieces filed under the gold tree. The wider gold jewellery collection holds 312 pieces if you are matching a chain to rings, earrings or bangles.

Sterling silver chains and necklaces

Sterling silver gives you a real precious metal at an accessible price. Our sterling silver chains and necklaces collection holds 40 pieces, and it is where most first chains and most gifts come from.

The Silver Paper Clip Chain starts at R895 and is the style people ask for most right now. The Sterling Silver Omega Chain at R2,595 is smooth, flexible and built to carry a pendant. The Mens 7mm Silver Figaro Chain at R2,995 gives you presence without a gold budget. The Sterling Silver Rolo Chain at R4,485 and the Silver Tennis Necklace at R6,595 sit at the dressier end, and the Sterling Silver Large Knotty Chain at R7,900 has the weight of a gold piece at a fraction of the cost.

Sterling silver is 92.5 percent pure silver with a small amount of alloy added for strength, and the 925 stamp confirms it. Silver does darken over time when it meets air, sweat and perfume, but that is surface tarnish and it cleans off in minutes. Plating does not come back once it wears through.

To build a full set, browse the sterling silver jewellery collection and match your chain to rings, bangles, bracelets and earrings, or go straight to sterling silver chains, which holds 42 pieces.

Rose gold chains and necklaces

Rose gold gets its colour from copper in the alloy, and that copper also makes it harder than yellow gold, so it stands up well to daily wear. Our rose gold chains and necklaces collection holds 11 pieces.

The 18ct Dainty Rose Gold Anchor Chain in 1.30mm at R19,940 is the fine end of the range and layers well with yellow gold. Rose gold also works as the middle layer when you wear two or three chains together, because it softens the contrast between gold and silver. It does not tarnish.

Personalised chains and necklaces

A personalised necklace is the piece people keep. Our personalised necklaces collection holds 32 designs, made to order with a name, an initial, a date or a word that matters to you.

The Classic Personalised Name Necklace starts at R995 and is our best selling personalised piece. The Personalised Stacked Ring Necklace at R1,095 works for families and anniversaries. The Mama Chain in Block Letters at R1,850 and the Personalised Joined Hearts Necklace at R1,850 are the two we make most often for birthdays and Mothers Day. The Bold Personalised Name Chain at R1,995 gives you a heavier cut letter, and the Layered Initial and Name Necklace at R2,595 arrives already layered, so the lengths sit correctly.

Most personalised pieces come in sterling silver, gold plated sterling silver and solid gold. Choose the metal on the product page before you add to cart. Each piece is cut to your wording, so order early before a birthday or anniversary. The full personalised jewellery collection holds 57 pieces, including bracelets and rings, if you are putting a gift set together.

Gold, silver or rose gold

	9ct gold	18ct gold	Rose gold	Sterling silver
Hallmark	375	750	375 or 750	925
What it is	37.5% pure gold	75% pure gold	Gold with copper in the alloy	92.5% pure silver
Tarnish	None	None	None	Darkens, cleans off
Hardness	Harder, takes knocks	Softer, marks more easily	Hardest of the three golds	Soft, dents if very fine
Best for	Daily wear	Colour and pendants	Layering and warmer skin tones	Everyday wear and gifting
From	R9,790	R19,940	R19,940	R75

Most people buying a chain to wear every day should buy 9ct. It is the harder metal, it costs less for the same weight, and it is hallmarked gold either way. Keep 18ct for the pieces where colour matters, which is usually a diamond setting or a pendant. Silver gives you the same look for a fraction of the cost, and surface tarnish comes off with a polishing cloth in minutes.

Chain styles explained

Chain names describe the shape of the link. Once you know the shapes, choosing gets much easier.

Curb chains have flattened interlocking links that lie flat, suit men and women, and carry a pendant well. Cuban chains are curb chains cut thicker and tighter, which is why they read as bolder. Figaro chains alternate two or three short links with one long link, and that pattern makes them the most requested men’s style in South Africa.

Rope chains twist strands together so the surface catches light from every angle, which makes them look heavier than they are. Singapore chains twist the same way but finer, so they sparkle at a lower weight. Snake chains, also called herringbone, use tightly fitted plates that form one smooth flat surface, and they should be stored flat rather than folded. Omega chains work on a flexible mesh backing and suit a pendant with a slide bail.

Belcher chains use uniform round links and are the classic South African gold chain, and the safest choice for a heavy pendant. Rolo chains use smaller round links and wear easily every day. Anchor and marina chains add a bar across each oval link for strength. Paper clip chains use long elongated links and layer well. Box chains use square links and hold a pendant securely. Tennis necklaces set stones in a continuous line and are a dress piece rather than a daily chain.

Getting the length right

Length is the most common reason a chain ends up in a drawer. Hold a piece of string where you want the chain to sit, then measure it against a ruler in centimetres.

Length	Where it sits	Who it suits
40cm	High on the neck, close to a choker	Layering, and open necklines
45cm	Just below the collarbone	The standard women’s length, and the best length for a pendant
50cm	Top of the chest	A slightly longer, more relaxed look
55cm	Base of the neck	The standard men’s length
60cm	On the chest	A broader frame, or worn over a jumper

If you are buying a gift and cannot measure, 45cm suits most women and 55cm most men. If you plan to layer, leave at least 5cm between each chain so they do not tangle.

Choosing a width

Width	Feel	Wears well with
1mm to 2mm	Fine and delicate	A small pendant, or layered with wider chains
2mm to 4mm	Clearly visible, comfortable all day	Worn alone, or carrying most pendants
4mm to 7mm	Bold with real weight	The usual men’s choice
Above 7mm	A statement piece	Worn on its own, with a strong clasp to match

Gold is priced by the gram, so a 5mm chain costs far more than a 2mm chain in the same style and length. If you are unsure, 2mm to 4mm is the range most people end up happiest with.

Choosing a chain for a pendant

Three things decide whether the pairing works. Check the bail first, because a thick belcher will not pass through a fine opening. Match the weight next, keeping heavy pendants on belcher, curb or box chains and fine chains for light pendants. Then match the metal, so both pieces age at the same rate. A heavy pendant on a fine chain wears through the bail and eventually breaks.

Browse pendants to find the piece that goes with your chain. Several necklaces here already come with one, including the Gold Crucifix Pendant on Chain at R13,670.

How to layer chains and necklaces

Layering works when you vary something. Vary the length first, spacing each chain about 5cm apart. Vary the width next, with one fine chain against one wider chain. Then vary the texture, for example a smooth snake chain with a twisted rope chain. Mixing metals looks deliberate when you repeat it in a ring or a bracelet.

For the simplest route, the Personalised Layered Disc and Bar Necklace at R2,395 arrives already spaced, so nothing tangles.

Chains and necklaces as gifts

A chain is the safest fine jewellery gift you can buy, because it does not depend on a ring size. If you do not know what they like, a 45cm sterling silver chain works for almost everyone and can carry a pendant you add later. If you want the gift to feel personal, a name necklace from R995 does more work than a plain chain at twice the price. Watch what they already wear, because if everything on them is yellow gold, silver will sit unused.

Explore the chains and necklaces collection

Product counts are live.

Category	What is in it	Pieces
Gold chains and necklaces	Solid 9ct and 18ct in curb, figaro, rope, belcher, snake and gucci link	46
Sterling silver chains and necklaces	925 silver in every style, the best value in the collection	40
Personalised necklaces	Name chains, initials and engraved pendants, made to order	32
Mens chains	Heavier curb, figaro and rope chains, and dog tags	21
Necklaces	Designer and pendant necklaces rather than plain chains	18
Rose gold chains and necklaces	A warmer tone, and the easiest metal to layer with	11
Gold plated chains	The lower price point, plated rather than solid	4
Pendants	Crosses, initials, hearts and charms to hang on your chain	51

Wearing and caring for your chain

Put your chain on last, after perfume, sunscreen and hairspray, and take it off before you swim. Chlorine attacks the alloys mixed into both gold and silver, and it is harder on jewellery than seawater is.

Clean gold with warm water, a drop of mild soap and a soft brush through the links, then dry it fully. Clean silver with a polishing cloth, or a silver dip for heavier tarnish. Avoid toothpaste and bicarbonate, because both scratch a polished finish.

Store each chain separately and fastened, and lay herringbone and omega chains flat rather than folded. Check the clasp every few months. A worn clasp spring is the most common way people lose a chain, and it costs almost nothing to replace before it fails.

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. Personalised pieces are made to order, so allow extra time on those.

Questions

Keep looking

By metal. Gold chains and necklaces, sterling silver chains and necklaces, rose gold chains and necklaces and gold plated chains.

More gold. Gold jewellery, gold chains, gold pendants, gold earrings and gold bangles.

More silver. Sterling silver jewellery, sterling silver chains, sterling silver pendants and sterling silver bracelets.

For him. Mens chains, mens bracelets, mens wedding rings and all mens jewellery.

Also worth a look. Personalised jewellery, personalised necklaces, pendants, necklaces and bracelets.

Guides. Gold jewellery South Africa and 9ct gold bangles, including prices, hallmarks and how to spot plated gold.

Or start from the Aria Jewellery homepage.