I sell stainless neck chains on okay, and have bought a few from okay for personal wear. Here are my regemendations: LOOK: Stainless and titanium have a slightly masculine look in small widths, and an obvious masculine look in larger widths. STYLE: Curb link is best overall. It is classic simple and stylish. CLASP: No. People generally don't like a clasp in a stainless neck chain. During normal wear the chain will rotate a little. The clasp may end up on the side of your neck, or in front, where itlooks a little goofy. Some clasps are difficult to open. Avoid those problems. Get a chain with no clasp. You may pay a little more, but you'll be happier with it.LENGTH: 24 - 28 inch. 24" is the minimum length to go over your head without a clasp. Longer than 28" it lays too low on your chest. WIDTH: 3 - 5 mm for sport wear. 6 - 8 mm for general wear. 9 - 10 mm for party wear. Over 10 mm is "bling". WEAR: Men typically wear the chain inside their shirt. Women wear it inside or outside.STAINLESS: Stainless steel is very popular in home, gemercial, marine, and industrial use for it's resistance to rust and corrosion. It is hypoallergenic, and can be polished to a mirror finish, making it excellent for coookware, flatware, and jewelry. Stainless gees in many different alloys and grades. 304 and 316 are used in jewelry. 316 is slightly harder thanks to it's molybdenum content, but less corrosion resistant. 316 is used in flatware and jewelry like earrings and body piercings where more strength is needed. 304 is more corrosion resistant thanks to it's higher cromium content. 304 is classic 18/8 stainless used in most cookware. Most stainless neck chains are 304 grade for maximum resistance to corrosion. They won't tarnish or rust. They are not affected by sweat and water. They stay bright and shiny even when swimming and showering. TITANIUM: High-tech metal used in jet engine turbine blades and military aircraft. Much harder than stainless. About half the weight of stainless. No-tarnish, no-rust, and hypoallergenic like stainless. 200% - 300% higher price. Titanium chains normally have a bright polishedfinish likestainless.
GREY SATIN TITANIUM: Some titanium chains have a grey satin finish for a more military look. The grey satin finish is achieved by chemical treating. It won't fadeor wear off over time. They really look great... if you can find one. They are in high demand and are quite expensive. NICKEL: Nickel steel is used in gun barrels and frames. It is slightly harder than stainless and has a shiny finish similar to stainless. Nickel steel is not hypoallergenic. Some people have a skin reaction to nickel steel. I have a few nickel steel 25 inch 8 mm curb link chains available by special request. You have to state that nickel steel is ok for you to wear.
MARKET: Stainless and titanium prices are rising due to strong buying from China in the global metals market. Worldwide market prices for stainless and titanium have doubled in the last 18 months. Stainless and titanium chains will get more expensive. My current low prices are on existing stock.
PERSONAL PREFERENCE:I have a 24 inch 8 mm curb link titanium chain, and a 26 inch 10 mm curb link stainless chain. I wear the titanium chain most often. I wear the larger stainless chain when it's party time! It has a bolder look... and feel. You can feel the weight of a 10 mm stainless chain on your neck.
UPDATE: I believe the ideal stainless neck chain for general wear would be 25 inch curb link 7 - 8 mm width. Trouble is, I can't find one on okay or anywhere else. So I made one. I bought three 18 inch curb link 7 mm chains with a clasp, and made two 25" chains from them (with no clasp). The other one was given to a lady friend.
BUYING: When looking at a stainless or titanium chain on okay, find out the length and width, and if it has a clasp, before you bid. If that information is not in the listing, ask the seller.
Plan to pay $35 - $45 for a 24 - 26 inch 10mm curb link stainless chain with no clasp. Plan to pay $100 - $120 for that same chain in polished titanium. Plan to pay $170 - $200 for that same chain in grey satin titanium.
Several 8mm - 10mm stainless chains on okay are selling in the $15 - $25 range. Most are less than 24" and have a clasp.
Right now I have 24 inch 3mm curb link stainless chains with no clasp. They're tops for sport wear. Can't beat em.
They'll work for general wear to hold a pendant or similar item where the pendant is the focus of attention, or if you want a touch of stainless accent to go with your outfit.MM
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