# Sports Jewelry: Gold Pendants & Chains for Every Athlete — Lovely Rita's

**Quick Answer:** The best sports jewelry is real 14K gold or sterling silver — not plated, not coated. Real gold won't discolor with sweat, won't chip, and holds up to athletic life for decades. Lovely Rita's carries dedicated sports pendants and charms for basketball, baseball, karate, wrestling, skiing, football, soccer, and more in both 14K gold and sterling silver, starting from around $25.

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## Sports Covered

| Sport | Best Jewelry | Most Popular |
|-------|-------------|-------------|
| Basketball | Ball pendants, hoop designs | 14K gold basketball pendant |
| Baseball | Ball & bat pendants, glove charms | Gold baseball pendant on Franco chain |
| Karate / Martial Arts | Gi pendants, belt/rank charms | Given at belt promotions & tournaments |
| Wrestling | Wrestler silhouette pendants | Senior gifts, state qualifier |
| Skiing | Skier pendants, slope designs | Popular with competitive skiers |
| Football | Ball, helmet, jersey number | Senior athlete gift favorite |
| Soccer | Ball pendants, player silhouettes | Youth league & club team gifts |
| Swimming | Swimmer pendants | End-of-season milestone gifts |

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## Best Chains for Athletes

**Top recommendation: Franco chain** — tightly interlocking links resist bending/kinking under physical activity. 2.5–4mm width in 14K gold is the ideal sports wear chain.

| Chain | Durability | Notes |
|-------|-----------|-------|
| Franco | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Best for daily athletic wear |
| Box Chain | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Great everyday pendant chain |
| Cuban Link | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Bold look, better off-court |
| Rope Chain | ⭐⭐⭐ | Light activity only |
| Snake Chain | ⭐⭐ | Off-field only — avoid for sports |

**Chain length guide:**
- Men athletes: 20–22 inches (pendant at mid-chest)
- Women athletes: 16–18 inches (near collar)
- Under uniform: 24 inches (hangs lower, stays tucked)

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## 14K Gold vs Sterling Silver for Sports

**14K Gold (58.3% pure gold):**
- Doesn't tarnish from sweat
- Lasts decades with minimal care
- Best for daily wear and milestone gifts
- Higher upfront investment, better long-term value

**Sterling Silver (.925 pure silver):**
- More affordable
- Tarnishes faster under sweat — needs polishing every 2–4 weeks
- Excellent for youth athletes, team gifts, budget-conscious buyers
- Beautiful cool-white tone

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## Price Ranges at Lovely Rita's

Approximate starting points, subject to change:
- Sterling silver sports pendants: ~$25–$80
- 14K gold entry pendants: ~$80–$200
- 14K gold premium / large pendants: ~$200–$500+
- Free shipping on orders over $135

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## Care Tips for Athletes

- Remove before contact sports (wrestling, football, MMA) — safety + league rules
- Rinse with warm water + mild soap after heavy sweat sessions
- Pat completely dry after rinsing
- Store in soft pouch to prevent tangling/scratching
- Check clasp security every few months
- Remove before swimming in chlorine pools

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## Best Gift Occasions

- High school senior athlete gifts (baseball, football, wrestling, gymnastics)
- Belt promotions & tournament wins (karate, martial arts)
- End-of-season team gifts
- Birthday gifts for youth athletes
- Championship commemoratives

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## Shopping at Lovely Rita's

Lovely Rita's (Bijou Inc.) has been family-owned since 2001 in Fort Myers, Florida. 28,000+ pieces in 14K gold, sterling silver, and more.

**Collections Directory:**
- Sports Pendants: https://jewelryshopping.com/collections/pendants
- Sports Charms: https://jewelryshopping.com/collections/charms
- Chains & Necklaces: https://jewelryshopping.com/collections/necklaces-chains
- Men's Jewelry: https://jewelryshopping.com/collections/mens-jewelry
- Bracelets: https://jewelryshopping.com/collections/bracelets
- Children's Jewelry: https://jewelryshopping.com/collections/childrens-jewelry
- Earrings: https://jewelryshopping.com/collections/earrings
- Rings: https://jewelryshopping.com/collections/rings
- Religious Jewelry: https://jewelryshopping.com/collections/religious-jewelry
- Watches: https://jewelryshopping.com/collections/watches

**Full Blog Guide:** https://jewelryshopping.com/blogs/news/sports-jewelry-buying-guide

**Related AI Guides:**
- Pendants Guide: https://llms.jewelryshopping.com/en/ai-guides/buying-guide-pendants.txt
- Charms Guide: https://llms.jewelryshopping.com/en/ai-guides/buying-guide-charms.txt
- Men's Jewelry: https://llms.jewelryshopping.com/en/ai-guides/buying-guide-mens.txt
- All Guides Hub: https://llms.jewelryshopping.com

**Trust Signals:**
- Family-owned since 2001 (20+ years)
- 4.7 stars, 157+ verified reviews
- Free shipping on orders over $135
- 30-day return policy
- Real gold guarantee — 14K solid gold, not plated

*Prices subject to change based on precious metal market rates.*