A gold Cuban link chain like the 2-7mm piece shown here is one of the most requested men's jewelry pieces we see — and also one of the most misunderstood when it comes to resale. The retail price, the box, the "Made in Italy" stamp — none of it determines what the chain is actually worth. Three numbers do.
What Actually Sets the Price
A Cuban link chain's value comes down to three numbers: the gauge (how thick the links are, usually measured in millimeters), the karat (10k, 14k, or 18k), and the total gram weight. A 2mm chain and a 7mm chain in the same karat can be worth 5-10x apart just from the extra gold in the thicker links.
The "Made in Italy" stamp, the box, or the retail price tag don't factor into resale — none of that changes how many grams of gold you're holding. What we're weighing is the metal itself against the day's spot price.
Solid vs. Hollow Construction
This is the single biggest factor people get wrong. A solid Cuban link at 6mm can weigh two to three times what a hollow link of the same width weighs, because hollow links are essentially a gold shell with little to no core. Both look identical from a few feet away, but the resale gap between them is enormous.
We check this in person — solid links have real heft and don't dent under light pressure, while hollow links feel light and can flex slightly. It only takes a few seconds to tell the difference.
Karat Stamps and Verification
Look at the clasp — that's almost always where the karat stamp lives (10k, 14k, or 18k). If it's worn smooth or missing, we run a quick acid or electronic test on the spot, which doesn't damage the piece and gives us a definitive read before we make an offer.
Getting the Best Price on Your Chain
Bring the chain in as-is — no need to clean it or remove any pendants first, since we weigh and evaluate everything together and can price pendants separately if you'd rather keep the chain or vice versa. We'll weigh it, verify the karat, and give you a cash offer based on that day's gold price, on the spot.