I used to believe spending a lot on jewelry was foolish. All I wanted was something that looked good, so I constantly bought cheap chains and rings. Unfortunately, those inexpensive pieces always broke or left a green stain on my skin.
I learned this lesson the hard way. There's a massive gap between a cheap item and a quality one. I documented my journey from the $20 bargain bin up to a $50 premium piece. Here’s what I discovered.
Don't purchase any jewelry before reading this guide. Cheap items end up costing you more over time. When you upgrade, you gain three key advantages:
My first purchase was a heavy chain, advertised as a quality men's necklace, for about $20. I thought it was a steal. I also bought a matching ring for $15.
They looked fantastic for the first week. Then things went downhill quickly. The plating was extremely thin, meaning the tiny layer of gold or silver wore off fast. Once the cheap base metal was exposed, it irritated my skin and turned it green.
The materials were never specified. If it doesn't state 316L Stainless Steel or 925 Silver, assume the quality is poor. Super cheap jewelry is typically made overseas with no quality control.
Verdict: Never buy jewelry under $25 if you plan to wear it regularly. It has thin plating that fades in a week or two, making it a total waste of money.
I decided to upgrade, moving from $20 to $40 jewelry. At the time, this felt like a significant risk. I bought a $35 ring online that felt heavier and looked more substantial.
The material was listed as "Gold Plated Stainless Steel," which was an improvement. The plating was about twice as thick as the cheap stuff. The ring lasted roughly four months before the edges began to wear down.
It was better, but not great. I was still wasting money every few months. I didn't trust the quality enough for daily wear and received zero help from the seller when I had sizing questions.