I bought this big, gold-colored Vnox dollar necklace. I was actually online shopping for gifts—specifically trying to find a good deal on cute winter beanies for teenage girls—but this pendant caught my eye instead. I decided to treat myself. I've been using this heavy chain for 3 months now. Here's my day-by-day breakdown of how well this bling held up against daily life.
The package arrived quickly. I was worried it would feel cheap and light, like plastic. That's usually what happens when you buy flashy jewelry for under fifty bucks.
But the Vnox necklace felt heavy right away. The stainless steel chain is thick and chunky. The dollar sign pendant is massive. It’s hard to ignore. The listing said it had AAA CZ Stones. That just means high-quality fake diamonds. They shine a lot, maybe too much for some guys, but I liked the punk rock vibe.
I checked the material stamp. It just said "Stainless Steel." This is important: The best quality steel for jewelry is usually marked "316L." If they don't list the 'L,' you have to assume it might be a cheaper grade that could rust faster or hold the gold plating less well. I was skeptical about the long-term color based on this alone.
I started wearing the necklace constantly. It’s a statement piece. It’s meant to be seen. The weight took a day or two to get used to, but after that, I barely noticed it.
My biggest fear in the first week was the green neck test. Super cheap jewelry, often brass or copper plated badly, leaves a green or black ring on your skin where it touches. This happens fast, sometimes after just one day of sweating. After one week, my neck was fine. No green marks. No itching or irritation. This was a good sign that the stainless steel base metal was clean.
I realized quickly that whether you are searching for serious men's accessories or trying to find deals on items like cute winter beanies for teenage girls, the quality of the base material is what matters most for longevity.
I kept checking the color under different lights. The gold plating, which is probably PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) because it's steel, held up great. No dulling yet.
This is where the real stress test happened. I started wearing it to the gym and forgot to take it off before showering a couple of times. Water is the number one enemy of cheap gold plating.
Here is what happens with badly plated items: