16 Best Silver Chains for Men 2024: Truly Sterling Necklaces

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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’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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.