I understand the appeal. You spot a stylish black chain online for just $15. It looks incredible in the photos, so you click 'Buy Now' thinking you've found an amazing bargain. I made that exact same choice.
That inexpensive black men's necklace held up well for roughly three days. Then it began turning brassy, left green marks on my neck, and eventually the clasp broke. I ended up wasting money and feeling foolish.
I made these five significant errors so you can avoid them. Here's what I learned:
I was eager to get a fashionable black chain quickly, so I hunted for the lowest price available. I came across a cool, slightly edgy design—similar to the "Korean Kawaii Cute Aesthetic Peach Heart Bear Cow Rabbit Pendant Neck Chain"—and bought it because it cost less than a meal.
That was a big mistake. Such a low price usually means the manufacturer skimped on the plating. The black finish is typically achieved by plating a cheap metal base. If the plating is thin, it wears off rapidly. My cheap black men's necklace appeared scratched and brassy within two weeks.
When I bought my first chain, the description simply said "Alloy" or "Metal." I thought, "Great, it's metal!"
I should have known better. Those vague terms often conceal poor quality. Cheap metals can rust, irritate your skin, and leave unattractive green stains on your neck. It's essential to know exactly what type of steel is used.
For a durable black finish, focus on these specific materials:
I glanced at the overall star rating (it was 4.5 stars) but overlooked the critical warnings buried in the lower-rated feedback.
I learned my lesson the hard way when I tried to return the necklace. The seller's customer service was terrible, just as one customer had pointed out: