Gave this to my son for a high school graduation gift.  I wasn't sure about the chain so I did buy him a stainless steal chain.  When this one arrived, the chain was actually very nice and thicker than I thought it would be - so this chain would have been fine.  We kept it for another piece I gave him but if you are buying this cross the chain is perfect.  I will say that the piece connecting the cross to the chain I will change because my son (his fault) wore it in the ocean and he lost the cross (not the chain).  I did immediately buy a replacement since he loved it so much and was really upset that he forgot to take it off when in the ocean.  I would have given it 5 stars, but the piece that connect the two - isn't very secure so I will find another type.  Other than that - this is a VERY NICE piece.