I needed a nice necklace. I wanted something simple. My goal was a great looking chain with a heart charm. I wanted to wear it every day. I started cheap, but I learned a painful lesson. Buying good jewelry is like buying the best warm beanies for winter; you need real quality if you want it to last.
My journey taught me three things about buying necklaces:
My first heart charm necklace cost about $15. It looked great online. It was 18 inches long. I thought I found a deal. I was wrong.
My first pair cost $20. They lasted 3 weeks. The plating was super thin. I started seeing copper under the silver finish. Then my skin turned slightly green. It was embarrassing.
The reviews matched my experience. I saw many 1-star complaints:
The Cheap Rule: If the price is under $25 for a silver-looking necklace, it has poor plating. That thin plating will fail fast. You will waste $20 and still need a new necklace.
Verdict: Avoid these low-end options. They are not worth the time or the green neck.
I upgraded to a $40 necklace. They advertised it as "Rhodium Plated." Rhodium is better than basic nickel. I thought I solved the problem. The necklace was beautiful. It was a gorgeous charm heart design. It was advertised as Lady Love Jewelry.
I wore it daily. It was better than the $15 chain. It lasted about six months. Then the plating began to dull. The metal underneath did not show, but the sparkle was gone. It looked tired. The seller’s service was also just okay. They did not know much about the base metal inside.
I read the 3-star reviews for this price range. People said things like: