Based on the reviews, I bought 2 of these as gifts. I read the words "sturdy". What I received could never be described as sturdy. I feel the piece is flimsy looking. The garnet in the middle is a pretty setting. It does look like the picture, but the chain is so very fine and small that it appears as if it could break at any moment. It looks like cheap costume jewelry to me. I would never assume that it was sterling silver and gold plated. One of the big mistakes I made is that it doesn't state what carat gold it is plated with. I hope you consider this review with the others and weigh them out. The back of the pendant is a giveaway on the lack of quality.