90-Day Durability Test: Are These Cheap Yin Yang Couple Necklaces Worth It?

I buy a lot of jewelry. Most of it is expensive. When I looked for cheap necklaces for men, I was very skeptical. I saw this Yin Yang set (Dragon pattern Couple Necklaces) for me and my partner. The price was almost too low. I expected it to fail quickly. I thought the plating would rub off in a week.

I decided to put this set through a tough 90-day test. I wore it every day. I took showers in it. I went to the gym. I wanted to see if inexpensive jewelry could actually last. I have been using these cheap necklaces for men for 3 months. Here’s my day-by-day breakdown of how they held up.

• Low Cost: Saved a lot of money upfront.
• Good Style: The black and white Yin Yang look is simple and cool.
• Wearable Test: Wanted to prove that cheap doesn't always mean instant junk.

Day 1: First Impressions

The package arrived quickly. When I opened it, the necklaces were sealed in small plastic bags. The first thing I noticed was the weight. They were very light. This is usually a bad sign. Heavy jewelry often means better base metal. Light jewelry often means cheap alloys like zinc.

The black and white enamel on the Tai Chi pendants looked clean. The dragon etching was sharp. They looked much better in the picture than I thought they would in real life. But the chain felt thin. I worried about the clasp breaking right away. It looked flimsy.

We put them on immediately. They looked good. They hang just right, hitting mid-chest. The size (about 1.1 inches wide) was perfect for a pendant necklace. The initial feeling was: High potential, low quality assurance.

Verdict: They pass the eye test but fail the weight test. If you buy these, know the chain is the weak point.

Week 1: Getting Used to Them

I decided to be brutal. I wore my half of the set constantly. This meant sleeping in it, working out, and showering. Most cheap plating fails the shower test within 48 hours. I waited for my neck to turn green. It did not.

However, adjustments were needed fast. The thin chains tangled very easily. If the two separate halves touched while lying on the bedside table, untangling them was a five-minute job. The small jump rings near the clasp were also weak. I had to use pliers to tighten one after it started bending open.

This early experience taught me a quick lesson about material checks. When jewelry is this cheap, it usually does not use 316L stainless steel. That is the good stuff that resists rust and green skin. Since this necklace didn't list the material clearly, I assumed it was plated brass or zinc alloy. Plating on zinc rubs off fast. I checked the back of the pendant every night. So far, so good.

Action Step: Check material first. If it is not marked 316L, plan to replace the chain later. Also, expect to need small pliers for repairs.

Month 1: Daily Use

By the end of the first month, I had a routine. I had not taken the pendant off once. The chain, however, was starting to show wear.

Fading Location Report:

The fading did not happen where I expected it. The shiny black plating on the main pendant itself was holding up perfectly. The enamel was still flawless. The failure points were:

• The Clasp: This is where the cheapness hit hardest. The black plating on the lobster claw clasp completely faded back to a brassy silver color. This happened around Day 22.
• Near the Neck: The chain links that touched my skin the most (near the back of the neck) started to dull and show a slight tarnish.
• The Pendant Loop: Where the chain rubs the pendant loop, the black color wore thin.

I realized the central piece—the Yin Yang pendant itself—was actually decent quality for the price. The chain was the liability. I decided to take the actionable step I recommend to everyone buying cheap necklaces for men: I bought a better, thicker stainless steel chain and swapped it out. This cost about $10, but now the pendant was on a sturdy base.

Discovery: The pendant is decent; the chain is trash. Budget $10-$15 extra immediately to upgrade the chain for real long-term use.

Month 3: Long-Term Verdict

I am surprised I am still wearing this necklace. After three months of hard use, the original chain is in the trash. But the actual Dragon Pattern Tai Chi pendant is still in excellent shape. The high-contrast black and white look remains sharp. The enamel has not chipped. It is scratch-resistant enough for daily life.

This experience taught me that finding quality in inexpensive items is possible. You just have to manage your expectations about the hardware. If the staff running the store are great, it makes the whole experience better, even when the product is cheap. I saw how this business expanded and how they treat customers.

I noticed one user review mentioned a staff member named Craig and great service. Customer service absolutely matters, especially when dealing with cheap items that might break. If you want to check out the selection for yourself, I recommend going straight to their homepage. Good customer support makes even low-cost purchases feel secure.

Final Comparison (Original vs. Upgraded)

Feature	Original Necklace (Days 1-30)	Upgraded Necklace (Days 31-90)
Plating Health	Fading on clasp and neck area.	Perfect (only the pendant remained).
Security	Clasp felt weak and could bend open.	Very secure, heavy-duty clasp.
Tangle Risk	High risk, required constant untangling.	Zero risk with a thicker chain.
Overall Look	Good distance style, cheap close-up.	Great overall. Looks mid-range expensive.

Long-Term Summary: The pendant is a winner. The chain is a disposable item. Treat this purchase as buying a decent pendant and getting a free, temporary chain.

Would I Buy Again?

Yes, I would buy this set again.

Why? Because the core jewelry piece—the Yin Yang pendant—delivered great value for the price. It lasted 90 days of continuous wear without showing corrosion or loss of the central enamel detail. It survived the full test.

When searching for cheap necklaces for men, you have to follow a strict process:

1. Step 1: Check Material. If it is not marked 316L Stainless Steel, assume the plating will fade.
2. Step 2: Check Size. Look at the millimetre (mm) width of the chain. If it is 2mm or less, it will tangle and break easily.
3. Step 3: Check Buyer Photos. Look for photos showing the clasp after a month of wear. That is the true failure point.
4. Step 4: Buy and Upgrade. If the pendant looks good, buy it. Plan to spend a little extra money on a reliable stainless steel chain right away.

This Yin Yang set is a great, affordable gift idea, provided you swap out the low-grade components. For the total cost (necklace plus new chains), it remains a fantastic deal.