If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission. Learn more about our policies and reviews.
Gold is a staple for any jewelry collection. It may not be as expensive as gemstones or some other metals, but gold represents wealth, success, and luxury, which makes it a popular choice for jewelry to this day. You’ll find many celebs strutting the streets in golden earrings, rings, and of course, necklaces. In this guide, we’ll talk about the best gold necklaces in 2024.
Necklaces, in particular, are great for investing in. Unlike bracelets, rings, and even earrings, you can easily spot a necklace. It’s a great way to make a statement, and many types of gold necklaces go well with modern fashion trends. Here are seven of the top gold necklaces you can get right now online.
Budget Friendly Gold Necklaces of 2024 Reviewed in Detail
CHESKY 14K Snake Chain Gold Necklace — Best Overall
Key Features
- 14k gold plated
- 15” herringbone style chain
- Tarnish-resistant
- Nickel and lead free
- Hypoallergenic
Herringbone necklaces are unique compared to your typical chain necklaces. They’re made out of flat metal segments, and when they’re strung together, they form a flat line that makes the gold necklace look solid. Some would even compare the shape to that of a snake with its many scales being represented by the metal segments.
This gold necklace is a 14K gold/silver necklace. It’s a great type of necklace to have in your collection because it's suited for formal outfits and casual dressing due to its minimal design. Whether you’re wearing a vest, blouse, or just a plain shirt, this necklace will help elevate your look.
14K Choker Gold Necklace — Runner Up
Key Features
- 14k gold plated
- 16” herringbone style chain
- Tarnish-resistant
- Hypoallergenic
- 90-day money back guarantee
Gold was once considered to be an expensive metal. While this is largely the case for many people, it’s actually far more accessible than it once was. This gold necklace is a great example of how you can get yourself a 14K gold/silver plated choker necklace for as little as $10.99, a price that you wouldn’t believe to be true decades prior.
Visually, the gold necklace is very similar to the previous one. It’s a herringbone necklace, meaning that it’s got flat metal segments that comprise the necklace “chain” so to speak. This results in a snake-like appearance, hence the term “snake chain”. The flat look of the segments makes it look great for business outfits and attire, as well as certain formal events.
PAVOI 14K Swarovski Gold Necklace — Honorable Mention
Key Features
- 14k gold plated
- 18” chain
- 7.3mm Swarovski crystal prong set pendant
- 90-day money back guarantee
Even though diamonds, emeralds, and other gemstones are perfect as the centerpiece of every necklace, you don’t have to spend thousands on expensive stones for a beautiful crystal. Take this gold necklace, for example - at the center of the necklace is not a diamond, but a Swarovski crystal, which is essentially high-quality crystal glass. It may not be a gemstone, but you’d bet that many people would think it is one.
The gold necklace itself is made with 14K gold plated material, and it features a simple chain design that minimally holds the crystal in place down the center. If you want the crystal to take center stage, then this is the ideal type of necklace for it.
M MOOHAM Initial Gold Necklace — Also Consider
Key Features
- 14k gold plated
- 18” paperclip style chain
- Hexagon charm pendant engraved with initial and heart in back
- Nickel and lead free
- 180 days after sale service
If you’re gifting a gold necklace to someone, then you may want the necklace to feel a little personal. What better way to achieve that than to gift a necklace with their initials on it? Mooham provides high-quality necklaces of 14K gold, but with an added feature- the center of the necklace features a well-designed gold plate of any letter you choose. This really adds a personal touch to your gift, and that special someone will cherish you for it. The same plating and design will be present across all letters, and at the back of the plate, you’ll find a heart shape.
Turandoss Choker Gold Necklace — Also Consider
Key Features
- 14k gold plated
- 3 adjustable layered chains
- Hypoallergenic
- Nickel free
- 60 day return policy
If you want something a little more fancy than a simple chain necklace, a layered gold necklace is a great option. Layered necklaces feature various chains linked together with the addition of charms or pendants which makes them look more sophisticated than your average necklace. This particular necklace has pearls, a bar, and a hammered disc to really make the necklace look unique.
The necklaces are minimalist in nature, so while they are eye-catching, they won’t take the spotlight away from the outfit that you’re wearing, or other pieces of jewelry. The purchase also comes with a jewelry bag to safely store your necklace when not in use. It’s a great gift to give someone if you know they’ll love it.
Aobei Choker Gold Necklace — Also Consider
Key Features
- 18k gold plated
- 16” chains
- Many chain styles to choose from
- 90 day quality policy
Choice matters when it comes to picking necklaces. Even though you may look good in every type of gold necklace, there are some that’ll fit better with your look than others.
Aobei Pearl provides various necklaces of different shapes and sizes to suit the needs and wants of the buyer. These include minimalist chains, lava beads, cuban chains, rhombus chains, and other different types of necklaces. If you can afford it, you can also buy multiple necklaces to suit the different styles in your wardrobe.
Buying Guide for Finding a Gold Necklace
Gold necklaces have been around for centuries, and while times have changed, the way you pick the right one for you or a loved one hasn’t. Gold necklaces are very important in modern fashion, and no look is complete without a good necklace, gold or otherwise.
If you’re looking to add some elegance to your look, then you’re going to need a necklace that serves the right function. Here are some tips to help you pick the right gold necklace for yourself or as a gift.
What Is a Gold Necklace?
A gold necklace is a type of necklace that is made of or is plated with gold. Gold necklaces can have varying levels of purity, and some necklaces can be pure gold, whereas others can be mixed with silver, brass, copper, or other metals instead.
Why Should You Buy a Gold Necklace?
Stylish Long-term Investment
Let’s face it - gold necklaces look good, even if they may be a little more expensive than your average necklace. We’ve coveted the look of gold for centuries as a species, and it’s very likely that our descendants will continue to hold gold jewelry to a high standing too.
Gold necklaces also work well when paired with many different outfits, particularly formal attire. Gold carries an air of luxury and sophistication with it, which is why many people love wearing it when going to formal events and parties. Even in a semi-casual setting, gold necklaces look great.
Makes the Perfect Gift
If you’re planning to give a gift to someone, then a gold necklace is a great choice if they love wearing jewelry. Unlike bracelets and rings, which require you to know their sizes, necklaces offer more room for error. You can easily guess their size! It also helps that the necklace is visible to anybody in front of the person wearing it, which makes it a great gift.
Things to Consider When Buying a Gold Necklace
Purity
The purity of a gold necklace is known by its karats. This is different from carats, which are used to measure diamonds. Karats have a somewhat unique system, but it’s easy to remember if you know how pure 100% pure is. 100% pure gold is known as 24 karat gold, and anything less is gold mixed with other metals, with lower numbers being less pure and more composite.
Now, you may be thinking that you should just get the highest karat of gold available, right? Well, that’s not ideal all the time. In fact, in most cases, you probably want 14K or 18K gold necklaces instead of 24K ones instead. But why? The answer lies in the nature of gold as a pure substance.
You see, gold isn’t exactly durable. In fact, compared to other substances, it’s one of the more malleable metals. This means that over time, pure gold necklaces will begin to deform and change shape, which will make them look very different from their intended shape. As such, pure gold jewelry is typically reserved for events and parties and is rarely worn outside these events.
On the other hand, low karat gold is ideal for everyday use, as it’s mixed with more durable metals to make it sturdy. You can go on for months and even years of everyday use without seeing signs of deformation.
In summary, how pure you want your gold necklace dictates how often you can use it. If you’re getting a pure gold necklace, then expect to only use it at parties. If you have a 14K or 18K gold necklace, on the other hand, then you can use it every day with no problems at all.
Design
There are many different designs when it comes to gold necklaces, and no single one is better than the other. There are classic chain designs that look great in many situations. Then, there are the snake-like herringbone necklaces that are perfect for more trendy looks. You can also have a uniquely shaped chain, such as rhombus-shaped chains.
Some gold necklaces have centerpieces while some don’t. Some feature a crystal, gemstone, or a metal plate with something embossed on it, such as a name or letter. Other necklaces can be layered with multiple features such as pearls, metal bars, and the like.
Gold Necklace Price Range
Gold-plated necklaces, in particular, are actually fairly cheap. You can expect to spend anywhere between $12 to $20 on a single gold plated necklace. Do note that these necklaces are not pure gold and that pure gold necklaces are worth much more than this.
How We Chose the Best Gold Necklace
We choose our gold necklaces based on their shape, design, purity, and type. We also went through multiple customer reviews to choose the best options available on the market.
