topic Re: Please give me advice on chain necklace. in Jewelry

Please give me advice on chain necklace.

chihuahuamom — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 08:12:21 GMT

My husband passed away last year, and I want to wear my wedding rings on a chain. I don't know a lot about jewelry-my rings are the most expensive jewelry I own. Plus I don't have very much money (I couldn't pay more than $150). What would you suggest and what length? I would want the rings to hit about mid chest. Thank you.

Re: Please give me advice on chain necklace.

phoenixbrd — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 08:37:55 GMT

Chi Mom....these rings sound like they are very precious possessions to you. Are you sure you want to place them on a chain? I'm just wondering about the security of a chain. I would probably continue to wear them since you desire to have them close to you. Wish you the very best.

Re: Please give me advice on chain necklace.

CamilleP — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 08:50:51 GMT

First, Chihuahuamom, my condolences on your very sad loss! I think it's lovely you want to wear your rings this way. My first question is about what metal they are made of. If they are white gold or platinum, then I would suggest a stainless steel chain, since you can be confident that it will not break. If your rings are yellow gold, matching that with a 20"-24" chain in yellow gold for under $150 would be impossible unless the chain were dental floss thin, putting the rings at risk. You could certainly investigate gold-plated steel chains, although the plating might wear off over time. I don't think even looking at a lower carat weight like 10k instead of 14k would get you a long gold chain with enough weight to hold your rings securely. Of course, if you don't want to match the chain metal color to the ring metal color, then I'd absolutely go with stainless steel, even though it's not precious metal. It's the strongest metal that's normally seen in jewelry. I know QVC used to sell a fair amount of it, and you might even be able to talk to a local jeweler about ordering a steel chain, it's often used in men's jewelry, since men tend to be harder on their jewelry than women. Regarding the link, box and snake chains tend to be the sturdiest links, generally speaking. Snake chains are very smooth, but can sometimes grab the fine hair on the back of one's neck, in my experience, so I go with a box chain in preference. If you really want a precious metal, you can look for silver or gold-plated silver (often called vermeil), but silver is a soft metal, so you would want to monitor it closely to make sure you replace it if it starts to look worn or thinning in one spot. You could certainly get a very sturdy silver chain for $150, in any number of links, too. Good luck with your decision, I hope you find a chain that suits perfectly, and again, my condolences on your loss.

Re: Please give me advice on chain necklace.

Desertdi — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 10:46:21 GMT

I still wear my wedding ring

Re: Please give me advice on chain necklace.

Boehm Collector — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 14:29:19 GMT

@chihuahuamom wrote:
My husband passed away last year, and I want to wear my wedding rings on a chain. I don't know a lot about jewelry-my rings are the most expensive jewelry I own. Plus I don't have very much money (I couldn't pay more than $150). What would you suggest and what length? I would want the rings to hit about mid chest. Thank you.

Hi @chihuahuamom .. first of all, my condolences on your loss. When my Dad passed away back in 1994 my Mom went to a jeweler. She had his wedding ring made into a pendant. A gold backing was put on and a small diamond was placed in the center. I am sure any good jeweler could put some kind of backing on a ring with any type of stone. See the photo below of the pendant Mom gave me.

Re: Please give me advice on chain necklace.

Zita — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 13:53:58 GMT

First of all, I am sorry for your loss. When my husband died, I went for the traditional way: switch your wedding rings to your right hand. I would not trust a chain. Too many chances for catching it and breaking it, etc.

Re: Please give me advice on chain necklace.

MalteseMomma — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 15:37:47 GMT

For many yrs I wore my DH gold cross on a chain,(made me feel closer to him) and one day while washing my hair in the kitchen sink .(I know,gross) while bending over, the cross hooked on the edge of the tile surrounding the sink and few off ,down the drain and both the cross and the chain broke. Sadly I can no longer wear it

Wear your rings on your finger ,there is no rule saying you must take them off.

Re: Please give me advice on chain necklace.

Mistreatedbycs — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 16:11:51 GMT

The length depends on if you are a petite lady or not.

I would suggest 22" - 24" length. For $150 you are not going to get that much of a gold chain, I would suggest nothing too thin.

Maybe silver would be a better option, look through the website at

Ross Simons, the Q, HSN (they have a coupon) and see what you can find.

I think a necklace is a great idea, you'll know where they are, on a chain.

So sorry about your husband but my mom wore her rings even after my dad passed away so that's nothing unusual.

Re: Please give me advice on chain necklace.

esmeraldagooch — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 16:42:53 GMT

Two tone look is nice also. Rope, Box and Wheat are the strongest chains made. Look for one over 4 grams in weight. More if possible. Sterling silver would be in your budget.

Re: Please give me advice on chain necklace.

nana59 — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 17:15:47 GMT

My friend wears her ring on a box chain. She had her wedding band shaped into a heart. Sorry for your loss.......

Re: Please give me advice on chain necklace.

Fressa — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 18:17:01 GMT

I don't think I would trust the rings on a chain. You would need a solid gold chain and with a heavy gram weight and a lobster or oversized clasp. That would be expensive. I would not take the chance. I have lost a few precious pieces because the clasp broke and I didn't notice until bedtime or the rings just slipped off my finger. I would either keep thme on or put them in a safe in your home.

I am so sorry for your loss.

Re: Please give me advice on chain necklace.

circles — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 18:18:21 GMT

I am sorry for the loss of your husband....and I think its nice you want to keep your rings close to you....but i would never trust a chain...way too risky...i would wear them on your right hand...

Re: Please give me advice on chain necklace.

ChynnaBlue — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 18:27:04 GMT

@circles wrote:
I am sorry for the loss of your husband....and I think its nice you want to keep your rings close to you....but i would never trust a chain...way too risky...i would wear them on your right hand...

I agree. You would need a sturdy chain so as not to lose the ring and that will be more than $150, even if you get one that's silver with gold plate. If you don't want to wear them on your left ring finger, consider moving them to the right hand.

Re: Please give me advice on chain necklace.

chihuahuamom — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 04:37:32 GMT

You all are so sweet. Thank you for your condolences. I may switch them to my right hand. I tried it out but they were tight. Guess that is an incentive to lose weight! I may just keep wearing them as I have done for 42 years. Thanks for your suggestions.

Re: Please give me advice on chain necklace.

CamilleP — Thu, 09 Feb 2017 05:08:36 GMT

Chihuahuamom, it's not a matter of losing weight, your dominant hand will always be larger than your other hand. In all honesty, your rings are at as much risk worn on your right hand as they would be on a chain, as long as you select a sturdy chain. Odds are you are right-handed, and your right hand will be what you do tasks requiring strength with. That subjects any gems in rings worn on your right hand to a significant risk of damage. Diamonds are hard, but they are not tough, and can shatter if struck hard enough, so if you have a diamond in your wedding or engagement ring, I would urge you to continue to wear it or the set on your left hand, it will be far safer there. I do think that if you go to a local jewelry store you will find a stainless steel chain that would safely hold you and your husband's rings quite securely, and well within your budget. Steel jewelry is often used for men's wear, and men usually wear long chains as well, and you could get a rope or box chain in a good length for you in a solid, durable metal. The other benefit with going to a local jewelry store is that you could try on several lengths of chain that they would have in the store, to find the perfect length for what you want. Even if you didn't wear the rings on the chain all the time, you would have the chain for the times you wish to wear them that way, and being steel, it will never tarnish or discolor, and needs no special storage. Best wishes!