Gold or silver is usually the first question a man asks when buying a chain, and the honest answer is that both can look sharp. What decides it is his skin tone, the metals he already wears every day, and how much attention he wants the chain to draw.
Silver-tone chains suit most men and sit easily beside a steel watch, while gold-tone chains look warmest on olive, tan and deeper skin and with yellow or rose metals. If you're unsure, start with a silver-tone stainless steel chain in a 5mm to 7mm width, then add gold once you know how often he reaches for it.
Browse the full men's necklaces and chains collection, or start with three in-stock favourites: the 7mm stainless steel Cuban curb chain (A$64), the gold-plated 5mm Cuban link chain (A$72) and the black IP-plated 5mm curb chain (A$64). Prices and stock were checked on 9 November 2026.
What's the difference between gold-tone, silver-tone and sterling silver chains?
These three labels describe different things, so it helps to separate the colour from the metal underneath.
- Silver-tone stainless steel is steel left in its natural colour. Several of our chains are listed as 316L stainless steel, which the product pages describe as corrosion-resistant and nickel-free.
- Gold-tone (gold-plated) stainless steel is the same steel with a gold-coloured coating. Our gold Cuban chains are listed with PVD plating over 316L stainless steel. IP (ion plating) and PVD are both ways of bonding a thin coloured layer to the steel.
- Sterling silver is a precious metal (925 silver). It has a softer, brighter white look than steel, costs more and needs occasional polishing to keep its shine.
- Black IP-plated steel is a fourth option worth knowing about: a dark coating on steel that reads as neutral and pairs with almost anything.
Once you've picked a colour, our men's necklace length guide helps with fit and layering. The rest of this article focuses on colour.
How do you tell which metal suits your skin tone?
Stylists usually start with undertone, the colour beneath the surface of the skin, rather than how light or dark it is. A few quick checks in natural daylight will point you in the right direction:
- Look at the veins on your inner wrist. Mostly blue or purple suggests a cool undertone. Mostly green suggests warm. A mix, or hard to tell, usually means neutral.
- Think about how you react to sun. If you tan easily, warm or olive undertones are likely. If you burn and turn pink, you probably lean cool.
- Hold a silver and a gold item against your neck. Whichever makes your skin look clearer and less washed out is usually your better everyday metal.
These are style guidelines, not rules. Plenty of men with cool undertones wear gold well, especially in summer when they have more colour.
Which chain colour suits each skin tone?
| Undertone | Usually suits | Good starting chain |
|---|---|---|
| Cool (pink or fair, burns easily) | Silver-tone steel, sterling silver, black | 7mm stainless steel Cuban curb, A$64 |
| Warm (golden, olive, tans easily) | Gold-tone, also brushed silver | Gold-plated 5mm Cuban link, A$72 |
| Neutral (mix of both) | Almost anything, including mixed metals | Flat Figaro in stainless steel, A$144 |
| Deeper skin tones | Gold-tone and polished silver both stand out well | Gold-plated 10mm Cuban curb, A$128 |
Should your chain match your watch and rings?
Skin tone matters, but the metals he already wears every day matter just as much. A chain is easiest to wear when it agrees with the watch case or bracelet he puts on most mornings.
- Steel watch, silver rings: stick with silver-tone steel or sterling silver for an effortless match.
- Gold or two-tone watch: a gold-tone chain ties the look together.
- Black watch or black rings: a black IP-plated chain, or silver-tone steel, keeps things understated.
- Mixed metals: it can work if it looks intentional. Repeat each colour at least twice, such as a gold chain with a two-tone watch, rather than one gold piece in a sea of silver.
Which silver-tone chains should you consider?
Silver-tone is the safest gift and the easiest to wear daily.
- The Men's 7mm Stainless Steel Cuban Curb Chain (A$64) comes in 50cm, 60cm and 70cm lengths, which makes it a practical first chain.
- The Stainless Steel Flat Figaro Link Chain (A$144) is 50cm long and 7mm wide, with a satin top and polished sides, so it catches the light without looking flashy.
Which gold-tone chains look best?
Gold-tone chains suit warm and deeper skin tones and pair naturally with gold or two-tone watches.
- The Stainless Gold Plated 5mm Cuban Link Chain (A$72) comes in 50cm, 60cm and 70cm lengths. At 5mm wide it's an easy introduction to gold.
- The Stainless Steel Gold Plated 10MM Cuban Curb Link Chain (A$128) is listed as 316L stainless steel with PVD plating and polished links that lie flat. It's a bold choice for broader necks and open collars.
Not sure about width? Our chain width guide explains what 5mm, 7mm and 10mm actually look like on the neck.
Is sterling silver worth paying more for?
Sterling silver has a brighter, softer white finish than steel and is the choice for someone who wants a precious metal. The Hoxton London sterling silver rhodium-plated herringbone adjustable necklace (A$528) adjusts between 51cm and 55cm. For a heavier look, the Italian Byzantine link chain (A$336), listed as sterling silver and stainless steel, is 6mm wide and 50cm long.
Stainless steel is the practical everyday option, while sterling silver is the heirloom-style upgrade. Plated chains last longest when you take them off before swimming, the gym or applying sunscreen and wipe them dry after wear.
What about black chains?
Black suits every skin tone because it doesn't compete with undertone at all. The Black IP Plated 5mm Curb Link Chain (A$64) comes in 50cm, 60cm and 70cm lengths and works with black watches, leather bracelets and dark clothing.
Related guides
People also ask
Is gold or silver better for men's chains?
Neither is better overall. Silver-tone suits most skin tones and steel watches, while gold-tone looks warmest on olive, tan and deeper skin and with gold watches.
Can a man with fair skin wear a gold chain?
Yes. A slimmer gold chain, around 5mm, tends to look more natural on fair or cool-toned skin than a wide one, and it works well in summer when you have more colour.
Will a gold-plated stainless steel chain fade?
Plating is a surface layer, so it can wear with heavy friction, chlorine, salt water and sunscreen. Taking the chain off for swimming and the gym and wiping it dry helps it last.
Can you mix gold and silver jewellery?
Yes, if it looks deliberate. Repeat each metal at least twice, or choose a two-tone watch to link the two colours.
What chain colour is the safest gift?
Silver-tone stainless steel in a 5mm to 7mm width, in a 50cm or 60cm length, is the safest choice if you don't know his style. Returns are accepted within 14 days of receiving the order.
