Indeed, it is impermissible for a Muslim male to wear jewelleries whether they are earrings, bangles or chains.
Clarifying the Islamic ruling regarding men wearing golden stuff, we would like to cite the following by Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, in his well-known book, The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam. He states: “Islam has, however, prohibited two kinds of adornment for men, while permitting them to women. These are, first, gold ornaments and, second, clothing made of pure silk. `Ali reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took some silk in his right hand and some gold in his left, declaring, “These two are haram for the males among my followers.” (Reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, an-Nasa’i, Ibn Hayyan, and Ibn Majah, who reports the additional phrase, “but halal for the females.”) `Umar reported that he heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) say, “Do not wear silk, for those who wear it in this life shall not wear it in the Hereafter.” (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim) On another occasion, referring to a silken garment, he said, “This is the dress of a man who has no character.” (Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) once saw a gold ring on a man’s hand. He immediately took it from him and threw it down saying, “Does a person pick up a piece of burning coal and hold it in his hand?” After the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had left the place, someone asked the man, “Why do you not pick it up and benefit from it?” He replied, “No, by Allah! I shall not pick it up after the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) has thrown it away.” (Reported by Muslim)
As for wearing chains, Sheikh M. S. Al-Munajjid, a prominent Saudi Muslim lecturer and author, states:
“With regard to wearing chains, this is not permissible for men, because this is an imitation of women, and there is no report that says that it is permissible for men to wear chains made of silver.
Wearing adornments on the wrist and neck, and on the ears, is an imitation of women, as this is something that is only for women. So, it is not permissible for men to wear bracelets, earrings, anklets, or chains.”
Moreover, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, adds: “Generally speaking, it is considered either forbidden or undesirable for men to wear silver chains or bracelets, the reason being that it is considered as copying women in their specific form of attire or adornments. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has warned us against copying women in their attire or style of dress or adornments.
Furthermore, we are advised to follow as closely as possible the life-style of As-Salaf As-Salih (the pious predecessors); there is no mention in the sources that they ever wore such adornments. They only wore rings or artificial teeth and the like that do not fall in the category of adornments or jewelry.”
Finally, Dr. `Abdel-Fattah Idrees, Professor of Comparative Jurisprudence at Al-Azhar University states: “Men wearing these forms of adornments or chains imitate women, which is unlawful in Islam. In this context, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is reported to have said, “May Allah curse men who imitate women, and vice versa.”
Accordingly, it is unlawful for men to wear such chains irrespective of whether they are made of gold or not.”