If you’re more “new to this” than “true to this” when it comes to accessorizing with jewelry, then a silver chain is a great place to start. Not only is silver less expensive than gold, but its overall impact is more subtle, while still packing a shine that might be otherwise missing from your neckline. That said, if you fall more on the Denzel in Gladiator II end of the jewelry spectrum, worry not bold adorner, for a silver necklace can also be the perfect vehicle to make an eye-drawing, sterling statement.
Opting for silver over flashier gold styles is also a good choice for another reason: You can wear silver more easily with a wider array of color palettes than yellow-toned gold pieces, thanks to silver’s neutral-adjacency. Think of it like a white tee, compared to a yellow one.
Today, we can add one more positive to this long list: Designers world over, from independents to luxury maisons, are currently celebrating silver’s potential more than ever before. The options are near endless, but that’s where I come in. From Paul Mescal-coded small chains to those that can rival Doctor Strange’s Infinity Stone drip, I’ve pulled together a cheat sheet of the very best options when sourcing your next sterling bit of bling.
The Best Silver Chains Hit List
In This Shopping Guide
Paperclip Chains
If you’re lost on where to begin your foray into neck-based bedazzlement, I strongly suggest taking a look at newly crowned most stylish man of the year, Paul Mescal, whose breakout role in Normal People as Connell showed us all the power of a smol chain. This non-pendant wielding style may be subtle, but it also offers exactly the right amount of shine for those looking to create an aura worthy of its own instagram page.
Title of Work
Silver Mixed Chain Necklace
Ever so slightly bejewelled, with a small selection of black diamonds and singular ruby, this subtle sterling silver chain is still that little bit elevated above the rest. And for what it’s worth (a lot) Title of Work only use conflict-free diamonds and recycled metals.
Bottega Veneta
Sterling Silver Chain Necklace
Sure, this paperclip chain falls slightly more on the chunky end of the spectrum, but Bottega Veneta’s controlled design means the look is still plenty understated—it’ll just catch even more light. I’d layer it nicely with some simpler styles to build up interest.
Mejuri
Mini Paperclip Necklace
It rarely gets more subtle than Mejuri’s jewelry offering—the brand has simply turned the creation of simple, quality accessories into a fine art. Still, this particular sterling silver necklace, with its alternating link styles, offers just a touch more visual interest than the rest of their chains.
Jaxxon
Cable Chain
This is the closest to Connell’s chain on our list. Purposefully lacking in design elements outside of the (sterling silver) chain itself, this option is the perfect entry point into a life-long jewelry love affair.
Pendant Chains
A pendant dangling from a necklace can evoke a range of feelings, from the reverent to the rebellious. But whether or not you’re showcasing any kind of affiliation, a pendant chain will always be a great way to imbue your day-to-day outfits with some personal flair—while always retaining the ability to subtly tuck it under layers when you need to keep things more low-key.
The Ouze
Silver Foursquare Sapphire Necklace
Cast in the rising brand’s signature rough finish, this uneven tetrimino pendant doesn’t look like anything special at first, but the more you look, the more handmade touches you’ll see. The simple square is punctuated by dark, raw sapphires that contrast nicely against the more rule-following shape.
Gucci
Logo Engraved Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace
If you’re going to wear a pendant, why not wear one from a brand with an emblem that does more heavy lifting than almost any on this list. Here, Gucci’s iconic double G’s sit front and centre on a small, high shine piece of silver, creating a flawless option for a more subtle flex.
Miansai
Cactus Onyx Pendant Necklace
This cubic cactus is one of the more playful styles from Miansai, who generally tend to keep things on a more minimal track. It’s a pendant that could feel twee, were it not made from fine sterling silver and green onyx gemstones.
Our Legacy
Bread Clamp Necklace
Our Legacy’s unique approach to clothing design often tries to take the ordinary and make it, well, cool. The same is true here, with a sterling silver pendant in the exact form of a… bread clamp. Recontextualised away from its functional purpose, the design feels more abstract and worthy of consideration for a standalone piece of jewelry.
Wild Chains
So, you’ve come to the conclusion that you’re very much a necklace guy. Great! Time to up the ante. Just as a bold necktie or neckerchief can add some distinct personality to an outfit, so too can an OTT piece of jewellery. This is an approach not for the faint-hearted, as these necklaces are likely to become pieces that attract comments (and compliments, of course), but faint-heart never won a sick fit award. These styles may walk more on the wild side, but that’s where all the good stuff happens.
Vaquera
Silver Lucky Charms Necklace
What makes more of an impact than wearing an almost full-sized horseshoe? This bold accessory takes a charm bracelet (or, let’s face it, a janitor’s keychain) and scales it up to an extreme statement that is equal parts whimsical and punk.
Rat Betty
Earl with a P. The Pearl Man Necklace
Self-described as having a charming ‘wonkiness’, this necklace does away with tradition in favour of something joyful and clearly handmade, down to the carefully sourced vintage pearls. Rat Betty’s style relies on humour and playfulness to deliver pieces of jewelry that aren’t quite your usual fare. Wear Earl with pride and let him (and his pearl) do the talking.
Éliou
Silver and Green Nino Necklace
Getting a bold colour moment into a piece of jewelry is usually done with gemstones, and while they give you an undeniable preciousness, this bright green resin pendant makes a more immediate, graphical impact.
PEARL OCTOPUSS.Y
Sphere Necklace
Part pearl necklace, part oversized silver chain, this is one option that should never be tucked under your T-shirt. The design comes from Oslo based Pearl Octopuss.y, who dabble in making maximalist pieces, with minimalist influence.
Curb Chains
Seen all the above, and still want to dress very much like Tony Soprano and the gang? I’m not here to stop you. The curb chain (often called a cuban link, but those are much wider) is a sort of midpoint between the previously covered wilder necklace styles and the subtle small chain approach. Curb chains are often weightier, and lie more flat thanks to their design—this also helps them catch the light nicely.
Tom Wood
Curb Chain
As simple as they come, like most things from the ten-year-old Norwegian label Tom Wood, whose collection consists of some of the most tasteful and simple pieces of jewelry out there. This effortless curb chain would serve as a perfect simple standalone, or just the right base for a layered selection of necklaces.
All Blues
Moto Necklace
Now we’re talking. More along the lines of the chunkier Cuban link necklaces, this option from All Blues is a prime example of how simplicity can still make a statement. Like most of the more tasteful things in menswear, this necklace is crafted in Stockholm, and the scale of its links allow it to be noticed even when barely visible under a tee.
Serge Denimes
Silver Curb Chain
This option from London based Serge DeNimes really does fall into that ‘everyday wear’ category. A heavyweight chain that is on the shorter length—at 18”—means it’ll sit neatly above the neckline of any jumper or t-shirt, helping you look like you’ve made an effort even on your most tired days.
David Yurman
Faceted Chain Necklace, 22 Inch
When it comes to elevating the simplest pieces of jewelry, it can be hard to know when to stop, but it’s also hard to deny that David Yurman has the skill down to a fine art. Here, the brand has taken a curb chain link and given it a unique, faceted design that will catch the light a thousand ways.
Silver Jewelry FAQ
What is sterling silver 925?
Much like gold has multiple degrees of purity (9, 18 and 24 karat for example), so too does silver. The ‘925’ refers directly to the percentage (92.5%) of actual silver element contained in the metals alloy. This remaining 7.5% is most often taken up by harder elements like copper, which bolster silver’s relatively softer composition, giving a stronger and longer lasting piece of jewelry.
How do you keep a silver ring clean?
Silver will naturally oxidise and tarnish over time, giving your shiny piece of jewelry a slightly darker patina (which in all honestly often looks great). Still, some simple ways of maintaining the shine of your silver jewelry would be to use a mixture of lemon juice, vinegar and water, either soaking or gently polishing your pieces with a cloth soaked in the solution. Another way is to utilise a quirk of chemistry; line a bowl with aluminum foil, and then add boiling water and baking soda. Leave your jewelry in the bowl for around 3 minutes and then remove, shiny and new. Failing all that, leave it in a bowl of Coca Cola for five minutes. Seriously, it works.
Rachel Walker is a writer who specializes in arts and entertainment, construction and architecture, automotive, travel, and fashion. She loves to write about all things that make life worth living - and she's been doing it for more than 10 years!
