Looking back at my old necklaces makes me feel foolish. I spent months searching for a simple black chain, convinced I was getting a great deal. I couldn't have been more wrong.
Over the course of a year, I wasted around $150 on five different necklaces. Each one faded, rusted, or broke almost immediately. That money was completely thrown away. It felt like buying five useless items—like purchasing five pairs of scratchy, ugly beanies when all I really needed was one good coat.
The silver lining? I learned my lesson. Now I know exactly what to look for. If you want durable, long-lasting jewelry, read this first. You can avoid making the same mistakes I did.
My first mistake was buying based solely on pictures and price. If the price seems too good to be true, the quality is almost certainly poor. It’s that simple.
I bought two chains for $25 each. Online, they looked thick and substantial. When they arrived, they felt light and cheap, almost like plastic. The plating was thin and faded rapidly—one even developed a coppery tint within a week.
I thought I was saving money, but I wasn't. It was more like renting a necklace for seven days.
I fell for misleading product photos. Online retailers often use professional photography to make small, flimsy items appear large and sturdy. I once bought a $40 necklace advertised as "thick and rugged."
When it arrived, the chain was as thin as sewing thread. The clasp broke the very first time I wore it.
Later, I came across reviews that had warned me. One user wrote: “This chain is useless. It broke during my shift. The seller’s photos make it look twice as thick as it really is.”
I wish I had done more thorough research back then. At the time, I didn't even know where to begin to browse similar items from trustworthy sellers.
My biggest regret is that I kept repeating the same cycle. I bought three more cheap chains, hoping to find a decent black love-themed pendant. Each time, I hoped the next one would be better.