Material and construction answer two different questions. A chain can be made from 585 gold and still have hollow links. A gold-plated chain has a gold layer over another base material. Photographs alone rarely make these distinctions clear.

Millimetres describe a chain’s dimensions. They do not tell you how much material it contains. The approximate weight of your chosen variant adds useful context, especially when two chains look similar in photographs.

A curb chain keeps a consistent sequence of links. A Figaro adds a visible rhythm with longer links. Either can feel subtle or substantial: width and length change the effect just as much as the pattern.

A difference of five centimetres can change whether a chain sits close to your neck or falls over a T-shirt. The most useful reference is your own body, wearing the neckline you usually choose.

14K or 18K? Both are genuine gold. Their pure-gold content differs, but karatage alone says little about how a chain feels to wear. At NTHIRTYTHREE...

The small 585 mark on a chain is a material specification: the gold alloy contains 58.5% pure gold. It is a useful starting point when choosing jewellery. Read it alongside length, width and weight for a clearer picture of the piece.