Gold Jewellery Weight and Price: Why Two Similar Chains Cost Differently
Gold is sold by mass. Two chains that look almost identical in a photograph can hold very different amounts of metal, and the price follows the metal.
Two gold chains can look the same on a screen and differ by a factor of three in weight. Since gold is priced by mass, that difference is most of the price difference, and it is invisible in a photograph.
Key takeaways
- Gold is priced by mass, so grams drive the price more than any other factor.
- Hollow chains use far less metal than solid ones of the same outward size.
- A photograph cannot tell you weight. Always ask for the gram figure.
- Heavier is not always better to wear. Comfort and durability matter too.
What Vanhess does and does not do
Vanhess is a jewellery shop in Coquitlam, British Columbia. We sell solid gold jewellery. We do not sell bullion, bars, coins or wafers, we do not buy or broker investments, and we are not financial advisors, tax advisors or a bullion dealer. Everything on this page is general information to help you understand how gold is priced and valued. It is not financial, investment or tax advice. Speak to a licensed advisor or an accountant before making a decision about your money.
Hollow against solid
Many gold chains, especially wide statement styles, are made hollow. The links are formed from tube rather than solid wire, which produces a chain that looks substantial while using a fraction of the metal. That is not deception when it is disclosed, and it makes bold designs affordable, but it changes the metal value enormously.
| Solid construction | Hollow construction | |
|---|---|---|
| Metal used | Considerably more for the same size | Considerably less |
| Price for the same look | Higher | Lower |
| Metal value held | Proportionally higher | Proportionally lower |
| Durability | Withstands knocks and can be repaired | Dents and kinks, harder to repair |
| Comfort | Heavier on the neck or wrist | Lighter to wear |
Be careful
A hollow chain that is dented or crushed is often uneconomic to repair, because working on thin tube risks holing it. Solid chains can usually be repaired many times over a lifetime.
What to ask before you buy
Ask three questions and you will know what you are getting: what does it weigh in grams, what karat is it, and is it solid or hollow. Any shop that sells gold properly can answer all three immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do two gold chains that look the same cost different amounts?
Almost always because of weight. Gold is priced by mass, so a solid chain that uses three times the metal of a hollow one costs roughly three times as much in metal terms, even though the two look similar. Link style, finish and brand account for much less of the difference than weight does.
Is a hollow gold chain worth buying?
It can be, if you want a bold look at a lower price and you will treat it gently. Just understand that it holds proportionally less metal value and is harder to repair if it dents. For a piece meant to last decades, solid is the better choice.
How much does a gold chain weigh?
It varies from a gram or two for a very fine chain up to well over a hundred grams for a heavy statement piece. There is no standard, which is exactly why the gram weight should be stated on any gold chain you are considering.
Read next
Solid gold, plainly made
Pieces where the metal is the largest share of what you pay.
14KClassic Bangle
A plain solid bangle: most of what you pay for is metal you can weigh.
$800.00
14KByzantine Emperor Flat Chain
A heavy flat link chain, the classic hold-its-weight piece.
$900.00
14KClassic Stacking Band
A plain stacking band with no stones to complicate a resale.
$380.00Vanhess sells gold jewellery. We do not sell bullion, bars or coins, and nothing here is financial or tax advice.