Before purchasing a chain necklace, there are several important factors to consider, including whether the chain is pure gold, what it's karat is, and what type of links the chain is made of. Let's examine the most important characteristics to pay attention to when purchasing a chain.

One of the most important questions that you need to answer when looking at a chain for pocket watch  is whether it is pure gold or only gold plated. When determining the karat of your chain, keep in mind that the purer the gold, the smoother and the less durable it is. The gold-plated chains are cheaper, but the paint will fade after some time, exposing the metal underneath, and you will need to redo the chain if you want to restore its color. If you are going to wear your chain often, pure gold is a better choice with regard to durability. Some of the chains are hollowed out - you'll notice that they look much lighter than the solid pieces of similar size. Hollow chains are less expensive, but there is a potential problem with them: These chains are easy to break or skew, and if this happens, they are almost impossible to repair. If you decide to use a hollow chain, you will have to be very careful when using it. Choosing a karat for your chain, when determining the karat of your chain, keep in mind that the purer the gold, the smoother and the less durable. So if you are going to be using your pocket watch every day you might want to skip the 20 karat and 22 karat pieces, which will scratch more easily compared to 10 karat or 14 karat chains, and are harder because they have a higher percentage of non-gold alloys. Although low karat gold is more durable, it is not recommended if you are allergic to nickel - many gold alloys contain this metal, and the lower the purity of the gold, the more nickel the piece contains. If you are concerned about an allergic reaction, do not buy 10 karat gold (unless you are sure it is nickel free). Use 14 karat or 18 karat gold instead. (Please note that 14 karat gold may still cause allergies if you are really sensitive to nickel.

The type of link you choose for your chain will determine how easy it is to twist and how likely it is to break.

For example, flat chains such as the omega chain and fishbone chain are more prone to twisting. Another problematic link type is the round snake chain. These chains are more likely to pick up your clothes and twist, and twisting knots can be very difficult or impossible to fix.. If you are going to put some kind of heavy pocket watch on your chain, make sure it is thick enough to hold the extra weight. Some of the best options for the chain link type include box chain and wheat chain: both are durable (in case you want to hang a pendant on them) and relatively flexible. Other good link options include the Figaro chain, sailor chain, anchor chain, dock chain, and rope chain.

author:pocket-watch.net