Chains
Curated pieces are arriving soon
A good chain is the piece you stop noticing: it sits flat, does not tangle and carries a pendant without pulling. QWEEN makes its jewellery in BIS-hallmarked gold, in colours from classic yellow to white and rose, and sets it with natural diamonds and natural gemstones only. Use this page to choose between gold chains by thickness, length and gold, whether you will wear one alone or with a pendant.
Which chain suits you?
Choose a chain by what it will do. A fine chain is made to carry a pendant or to layer, and it almost disappears on the skin. A medium chain can be worn alone every day. A bold, heavy chain is a piece in its own right and wears best with nothing beside it.
- Fine chains: light and flexible, for a pendant or for layering with a necklace.
- Medium chains: worn alone every day, over a plain top or inside a collar.
- Bold chains: wide links that carry the whole look on their own.
Look at the links too. Round links move smoothly, flat links lie close to the skin, and textured links catch more light. Check the clasp as well: a lobster clasp is easier to open and close than a small spring ring, especially on a fine chain.
Chain length and where it sits
Length decides where a chain falls, and the right one depends on your neckline. A short chain sits at the base of the neck and suits open necklines. A chain that rests on the collarbone works with almost everything. A longer chain falls clear of high necklines and gives a pendant room to hang.
To check a length at home, lay a piece of string where you want the chain to fall, then measure it. If the chain will carry a pendant, allow for the pendant's own drop below it. To layer two chains, choose lengths with a clear gap between them, so each line can be seen and they do not twist together.
Which gold is best for gold chains?
For a chain worn every day, a harder gold keeps its links from stretching. 18K is 75 per cent gold and 14K about 58 per cent, and both hold up well to daily wear. 22K is softer and richer in colour, and suits a chain worn with more care. Gold purities explained goes through the difference in full.
QWEEN works in seven colours of gold, from the classic yellow of Desert Noon to Snowfall White and the warm pink of Rose Bloom. Choose the colour that matches the pendant you will hang on the chain, or the rings you wear most. White gold is finished with rhodium plating, which may need refreshing after years of daily wear.
A chain for your pendant
A pendant needs a chain fine enough to pass through its loop and strong enough to carry its weight. Check that the clasp end will thread through the pendant's loop before you buy. For a pendant already matched to its chain, see chain with pendant; for a pendant on its own, see pendants.
Caring for a chain
Fasten the clasp before you put a chain away, and store it flat or hanging so it cannot knot. Take it off to sleep, swim or work out. If a link or clasp gives way, repairs are available at any QWEEN boutique, with a cost estimate first.
What comes with a QWEEN piece
- Hallmarked gold, certified stones: a BIS hallmark on the gold, and certification for any natural diamonds and natural gemstones.
- Lifetime exchange and buyback, valued at QWEEN's prevailing rates; making charges and taxes are not returned.
- 30-day returns on unworn pieces with their invoice, certificate and box.
- Free, insured shipping in India, in a QWEEN box with the certificates and invoice.
- A one-year warranty against manufacturing defects, including faulty clasps.