The chain just shines so much, it looks like it has very very tiny specks of gold in it the way it shines. The cross has mother of pearl on front. I can't tell if it is sterling silver or not, there seems to be some kind of mark on the back bottom of the cross, but I can't tell if it is in the metal or if it is a stamp. I don't even know where it came from, hehe...It is really pretty on tho.