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There are 5 different types of gold you can make a gold necklace out of. In this article, you will discover how much does a gold chain weigh, and why choosing the right gold for your chain affects the weight of your necklace.
Why is Gram Weight Important for Your Gold Chain?
You might have seen some gold chains go for fifty thousand dollars and up while others between a few hundred dollars. This begs the obvious question: Why are there such varying prices for gold chains?
The answer is very simple: the gram weight. You see, when it comes to gold necklaces, there are two factors which determine your gold chain weight: how much gold is used and what type of gold it is.
All jewelers show the final gram weight of the jewelry for you to be sure that you actually get a good deal.
If you buy a pure gold chain for men that is said to have 35 grams but actually has 30 grams of gold, you just lost money. You were cut short on five grams of gold, which in 2024 is worth $325 (~$60 is the price of gold chain per gram).
But gold chain weight and price is only one part of the equation. The second part is wearability. After all, you did not buy your gold chain to just sit on a display. You want to wear it as a personal statement, to show confidence and success.
Average Weights of Gold Chains
With jewelry, the more materials used, the heavier it will be. So how much does a gold necklace weigh?
The average weight of a gold necklace, a typical gold chain containing 14K gold, is between 5 to 10 grams. But gold chains can go up to 80 grams depending on style.
Type of Chain |
Average Weight |
Cuban Chain |
50-700 grams |
Tennis Chain |
30-100 grams |
Rope Chain |
3-100 grams |
There is a caveat to this.. Not all chains are identical. Even though we pay for the amount of gold we get, we can't always depend on having consistent weights for our jewelry.
So how much does a necklace weigh? In truth, most weights you see on websites are approximations because of a variety of factors. But it's no more than a gram and doesn't ruin your experience nor pockets.
How Much Should Your Gold Chain Weight
If it is your first time shopping for a gold necklace, it is certainly confusing seeing different weights for different chains. How much should your gold chain actually weigh?
It depends, so rather start with finding a chain style you like and see if you can find pictures. This ensures you will get the exact style you are looking for.
Then, look for reputable dealers who show the weight of the jewelry so you can check if the price of gold on the market is close to what the seller is asking for.
You may find that two identical looking gold necklaces have completely different weights. Why is that?
Gold Chain Weight Based on Karats
With gold, there are different mixtures of gold that are used in jewelry and they weigh differently. 5 of them are most common: 24 karat, 22 karat, 18 karat, 14 karat and 10 karat gold.
The purest gold is labeled as 24 karat gold (24k) and uses 99.9% actual gold. This gold is mostly for investments, as it is too soft to just use as jewelry.
The next gold is 22k gold, which uses 91.67% of gold. Then it is 18k (75% pure gold), followed by 14k gold (uses 58.3% of gold) and 10k, which has 41.7% of gold (see gold chain weight calculator below).
In terms of gold chain grams, lower karat golds are usually lighter than pure gold. Example: 18k gold (75% of pure gold) is 1.7 grams lighter than 24k gold (99.9% pure gold).
Type Of Gold |
Gold Content |
Gold Chain By Weight |
24K gold |
99.9% gold |
10 grams |
22K gold |
91.67% gold, 8.33% other |
9.4 grams |
18K gold |
75% gold, 25% other |
8.3 grams |
14K gold |
58.3% of gold, 41.7% other |
7.2 grams |
10K gold |
41.7% gold, 58.3% other |
5.9 grams |
Learn more about gold karats in our article: "Introduction to All Gold Karats: 9k, 10k, 14k, 18k, 22k, and 24k".
Icecartel’s Gold Chains
The best gold karat for chain is 14k gold. That is because of its great durability. The silver, copper and zinc used in 14 karat gold give chains and rings the durability and strength without compromising on the yellow shine that gold is recognised for.
If you are shopping for your first gold necklace, then Icecartel's 14k gold chains offer the stylish edge that you desire. The classic tennis or cuban style chains find the balance between bold and quiet luxury and will catch attention from others (just like a thick gold chain). They are a pleasure to wear for many, even making them walk with more confidence. And they offer great durability.
Explore high in demand statement pieces coming in varying widths and lengths by browsing the Icecartel gold chain collection here.
Conclusion
Your gold chain weight depends on two factors: how much gold is used and what type of gold it is. Usually, the average weight of a gold necklace is 3-8 grams. There are 5 types of gold, each with a different price and amount of pure gold in it but 14k gold is the standard for necklaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 24 inch 18k gold chain weight?
Depending on the width, anywhere from 5 grams to 60+ grams.
How much does a 22 inch gold chain weight?
With a 5mm width it weighs around 30 grams.
How much does a 14k gold chain weigh?
Depending on size and gold karat, anywhere from 5 grams to 60+ grams.
How much does a 14k gold chain weigh?
Depending on the length and width, anywhere from 4 grams to 70+ grams.
How much does a 18k gold chain weight?
Again, depending on the length and width, anywhere from 4 grams to 70+ grams.
How many grams in a gold chain?
Depending on size and gold karat, anywhere from 5 grams to 60+ grams.
How many grams of gold in a necklace?
Depending on the type of gold, anywhere from a few grams to 50 and up.
