Solid 14K Gold Paperclip Chain, shown in 1.3 mm

Pictured in 1.3 mm × 14 in. The link and clasp are the same at every size; only the scale changes.

Solid 14K Yellow Gold · made to length

Solid 14K Gold Paperclip Chain

Paperclip is the modern one. Elongated links, lots of air, and it looks right on its own or stacked with two others.

How it wears

Paperclip is a trace chain with the links stretched out, which gives it a light, linear look that reads as contemporary. It sits well at 16 to 18 in on its own and layers naturally with a finer chain above and a longer one below. The open links also make it easy to shorten with the clasp at any point, so a 20 in paperclip gives you three lengths in one.

With a pendant

Charms and small pendants clip straight onto a link. Skip it for anything heavy.

Which width?

Under 1.5 mm: A fine line. Disappears under a collar, carries a small pendant, layers under a wider chain.
1.5 to 2.5 mm: The everyday width. Visible on bare skin, sits under a shirt without a bump. Most women's chains and most first chains land here.
3 to 4 mm: Clearly a chain. Reads as gold from a distance, worn over a tee or an open collar. The classic men's width.
5 mm and up: A statement. Real weight on the neck, worn on its own. Priced by the gram, so this is where the numbers climb.

Which length?

14 to 16 in: Sits at the base of the neck. A choker on most adults. 16 is the standard women's short length.
18 in: Collarbone. The most common length for a pendant and the default for women's chains.
20 in: Just below the collarbone, top of the chest. The most common men's length and the safe choice if you are unsure.
22 to 24 in: Mid chest. Long enough to sit over a tee or hang outside a shirt. The layering lengths.
26 to 40 in: Below the chest. Worn long, doubled, or with a large pendant.

Chain length is measured end to end, clasp included. If you own a chain you like, measure it flat and order that.

Paperclip chain questions

Is it solid gold or hollow?

Solid. Every chain we sell is solid 14K yellow gold all the way through, stamped 14K. Hollow chains are lighter and cheaper and they dent; we do not sell them.

Will it tarnish?

No. 14K gold does not tarnish or turn your skin green. It can pick up skin oils and lose some brightness over months; warm water, a drop of dish soap and a soft brush bring it back.

Can I hang a pendant on it?

Yes on rope, curb, Figaro, box, wheat and mariner. Pick 1.5 mm or wider for a pendant with any weight to it. Box chain is the classic pendant chain. Do not put a pendant on a herringbone.

How is the price set?

We price off the gold market and set the price list once a day, so the number you see is the number you pay at checkout. If gold jumps sharply during the day the list is refreshed early rather than selling below cost. There is no markup for a wider or longer chain beyond the extra gold in it.

Why is there a wire price and a card price?

The card price is the price. If you pay by bank wire or Zelle instead, you skip the card processing fee and pay the lower figure. Same chain either way.

How long does it take?

Each chain is made in the width and length you pick — allow 3–5 business days — then shipped insured with signature required in plain packaging. Most orders arrive within a week. Tracking is emailed as soon as it ships.

What if it is not what I ordered?

Sales are final, with one exception. If the chain arrives and it is not the width, length or metal you ordered, tell us within 3 days of delivery and we pay the return shipping and refund you in full. We do not take returns for a change of mind, so measure before you buy.

Is the weight exact?

The weight on the page is an estimate for the chain itself, from the width and length you choose. The clasp adds a little. Normal manufacturing tolerance means the piece that arrives can be slightly over or under.

Other styles

Same solid 14K gold, same sizes, different link.