Last Tuesday, while grabbing a coffee, a guy leaned over and pointed at my neck. "Where did you get that?" he asked. "Is it real?"
I laughed. I told him the chain wasn't just "real"—it was the happy ending to a long and frustrating search. I used to believe buying a nice piece of jewelry meant being taken for a ride, where high quality came with high pressure and sneaky fees.
If you've ever shopped for a great men's Cuban necklace, you know the routine. You want something substantial, shiny, and durable. You don't want a green neck or a chain that snaps if you look at it the wrong way.
My first attempt to buy a solid Cuban necklace was a complete disaster. I walked into an upscale store thinking a big brand name was essential. That was my initial mistake.
The salesperson was polite but focused on all the wrong things. When I inquired about the chain I wanted, they told me it was difficult to obtain—a "hot commodity."
They hinted that if I purchased other items first, I might move up the waiting list. They were pushing me to buy things I didn't need, making it feel like the necklace was being dangled just out of reach. This is a common ploy: using a brand's prestige to pressure you into spending more, like buying a cheap charm leaf ring just for a shot at the necklace you actually came for.
I left that store feeling uneasy. Buying jewelry should be a joyful experience, not feel like a tense corporate negotiation.
My second attempt was online. I purchased a heavy, eye-catching chain that looked stunning in the photos. It cost a pretty penny, and they promised a "lifetime warranty."
A few months later, the clasp broke. Sending it back for repair turned into a nightmare. They charged me $140 for shipping and handling, despite the "free" warranty.
When the chain returned, something felt off. I pulled out my small scale. The weight was off—my 21-gram chain now weighed only 20 grams. I measured the length and found it was nearly an inch shorter than what I had sent in.
It dawned on me that some jewelers play dirty. They shave off a little material with each repair. It's a subtle theft, but it adds up, leaving you feeling angry and cheated.