How Much Does a Cuban Link Chain Cost? Prices Explained

A Cuban link chain can cost less than a good dinner or more than a car. The link is the same. What changes is the metal it's made from, how much of it there is, and what's set into it.

Below we'll cover the price ranges at a glance, what a Cuban actually is, what drives the cost, why Cubans cost more than most chains, whether solid gold is worth it, what ours cost, three good places to start, and what to avoid before you buy.

Jump to:

• The Short Answer
• What Is a Cuban Link Chain?
• What Drives the Price
• Why Are Cuban Chains So Expensive?
• Is Solid Gold Worth the Price?
• What Our Cuban Chains Cost
• Three Cubans Worth Starting With
• What to Avoid When Buying a Cuban
• FAQs

The Short Answer

It depends on what it's made of, much more than on the brand name. Here's roughly where each material sits.

Our prices are correct at the time of writing. For the full picture, browse all our Cuban link chains.

What Is a Cuban Link Chain?

A Cuban is a chain of thick, rounded links that interlock and lie flat, forming one bold, even pattern. It works as well on a quiet weekday as it does on a night out, and that versatility is a big part of why so many men own one.

It also has a reputation. Traditionally made in solid gold or silver, it became a status piece, and the heavy gold Cubans worn by hip-hop artists turned it into shorthand for wealth and power. That history is why the name alone makes people expect a big price. For the other side of the chain, how to wear it, see our guide to how to style a Cuban link chain.

What Drives the Price

Six things decide what a Cuban costs. The first matters far more than the rest.

1. The Metal

Solid gold costs the most, then sterling silver and gold vermeil, then plated or finished pieces, whose price depends on the base metal underneath. If you're weighing gold against a gold finish, our guide to 18K gold vs gold vermeil explains the difference, and how long gold plated jewelry lasts covers the finish side.

2. Weight: Width and Length

The heavier the chain, the more it costs. Go wider or longer and there's simply more metal in it. In solid gold, that's where most of the price comes from.

3. Karat

In gold, the karat tells you how much of the chain is actually gold. 18K is 75% gold, 14K is 58.3%, and 10K is 41.7%. The higher the karat, the higher the price. 10K is the lowest that can legally be sold as gold in the US. Our guide to the different types of gold goes into more detail.

4. Solid or Hollow

Two gold Cubans can look the same and cost very different amounts, because one is hollow. Hollow links use less gold, so they're lighter and cheaper, but they dent more easily and can't be repaired as well. If a price looks too good for solid gold, check.

5. Stones

Some Cubans are set with diamonds, others with cubic zirconia, and many with nothing at all. Stones add cost, and the hand-setting adds more.

6. The Clasp

A heavy chain needs a clasp that won't give way. Ours use a snap-proof lobster clasp below 6mm, and from 6mm up, our signature snap-proof clasp, built for the extra weight. It's the same across every width in the range, so you're not paying extra for it.

Why Are Cuban Chains So Expensive?

Because of how the link is built. Cuban links are thick, rounded and packed tightly together, so there's more metal in every centimetre than in most chain styles. Make that in solid gold and you're paying gold prices for all that weight.

Then there's reputation. The Cuban's status means some sellers price the name as well as the metal. At the extreme end, custom diamond Cubans have been reported at seven figures. We've looked at the real numbers behind those stories in the most expensive chains in the world.

Is Solid Gold Worth the Price?

It can be. Solid gold holds value as a precious metal, and some men want exactly that. But it's soft, it scratches, and a wide solid Cuban is a serious outlay. For most men who want the look and plan to wear it every day, it isn't the practical choice.

That's why more men choose stainless steel finished in real gold or silver. Here's what it offers:

• Far more affordable than solid gold
• Scratch resistant
• Durable and hard to break
• Holds its shape over years of wear
• Finished in real gold or silver, so it looks the part

Ours are stainless steel, finished in 18K gold, silver or rose gold, with scratch and fade-resistant protection. They handle water, sweat and heat, so showers and the gym are fine, though we'd take them off before swimming. If you want a precious metal without the price of gold, read why every man should own a sterling silver Cuban chain.

What Our Cuban Chains Cost

Here's our range and where each piece starts. Prices vary slightly between metals and lengths.

If you're new to jewelry or a seasoned collector, there's a Cuban here for most budgets. If you'd like to see more affordable pieces beyond Cubans, browse our bestsellers.

Three Cubans Worth Starting With

There's no secret formula. If it feels right on you, it probably is. But if you're buying your first Cuban and want a little direction, start here.

The 4mm Cuban

If you're fairly new to jewelry but want everything a Cuban gives you, this is the one. In silver, gold or rose gold, it works on its own or layered with almost anything, and it's our most popular width.

The 8mm Cuban

Want to make an impression? The 8mm Cuban is for men who want more of a statement. Wear it alone or layer it with another piece. Either way, you won't go unnoticed. Also available in gold.

The Half Iced Cuban 8mm

Style affects price too, and stones are the biggest example. Some Cubans are set with diamonds and others with cubic zirconia. The Half Iced Cuban is hand-set with AAA-grade stones along its sharp, clean-cut Miami Cuban links, and to most eyes it throws light like diamonds do, at a fraction of the price. Also available in silver.

Bonus Pick: The Chain and Bracelet Set

A matching set should be near the top of any wishlist. The Cuban 8mm Gift Set pairs a chain and bracelet in the same width, and it costs less than buying the two separately. Also available in gold.

• ✓ Chain and bracelet for less than the two separately
• ✓ Presented in a CRAFTD luxury gift box
• ✓ Covered by a lifetime warranty
• ✓ Suits men of any age

What to Avoid When Buying a Cuban

Before you spend, it's worth knowing what to avoid, because some Cubans start to fade and tarnish within months.

• A price with no material stated. "Gold Cuban" can mean anything from solid gold to a thin coat over brass. If the listing doesn't say what's underneath, assume the cheapest option.
• Thin plating over a soft base metal. This is what fades fastest. A durable base, such as stainless steel, and a proper finish last far longer.
• Hollow links sold at solid prices. Check the weight. Hollow gold Cubans are much lighter than solid ones of the same size.
• "Solid silver" with no proof. Real sterling silver should be marked 925. Our guide on how to tell if jewelry is real silver covers how to check.
• A weak clasp on a heavy chain. The wider the chain, the more the clasp matters.

FAQs

How much should I pay for a Cuban link chain?

For an everyday Cuban in stainless steel finished in gold or silver, expect roughly $47.99 to $112.99 with us, depending on width. Sterling silver starts around $103.99, and solid gold Cubans are priced mostly by their weight in gold, so they start in the hundreds and climb quickly.

Why are Cuban chains so expensive?

Because they use a lot of metal. The links are thick and packed tightly together, so a Cuban weighs more than most chains of the same width and length. In solid gold, weight is most of the price.

How much is a real gold Cuban link chain?

It depends on the karat, width and length. A slim solid gold Cuban can cost a few hundred, while a wide, heavy one runs into the thousands. Hollow versions cost less because they contain less gold.

What is the most affordable Cuban link chain?

A stainless steel Cuban finished in gold or silver gives you the look for a fraction of the price of solid gold. Our slimmest, the 2mm, starts at $47.99.

Does a wider Cuban chain cost more?

Yes. A wider chain uses more metal, and a longer one does too. With us the difference is modest, from $85.99 for a 4mm to $112.99 for a 12mm. In solid gold the gap is much bigger.

Is a stainless steel Cuban chain worth it?

For most men, yes. It's durable, scratch resistant and holds its shape, and a good gold or silver finish looks the part for a fraction of the price. Choose solid gold if resale value matters to you.

Where to Go From Here

So how much does a Cuban link chain cost? As much as you're prepared to spend. The material makes the biggest difference, and a well-made stainless steel Cuban gets you the look and the durability for a fraction of the price of gold. It's CRAFTD to last.

Once you've settled on a budget, how to style a Cuban link chain helps you pick the width and length, and what to wear with a Cuban link chain goes outfit by outfit. You can browse the full range of Cuban link chains here.