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Jewellery chain

Jewellery made links of, or imitating, precious metal and worn as an ornament

Jewellery made links of, or imitating, precious metal and worn as an ornament

Jewellery chains, jewelry chains or body chains are metal chains that are used in jewellery to encircle parts of the body, namely the neck, wrists and ankles, and they also serve as points to hang decorative charms and pendants.

Material

Jewellery chains are typically made from precious metals, mainly gold and silver. Platinum, palladium and steel may also be used. These metals are used because they are not very reactive, keep both their intricate shape and their strength, and require only minimal maintenance to keep their shine. Small lever mechanisms called clasps serve as fastenings to enable the chain to be undone and redone.

History

The earliest chain necklaces have been found in ancient Babylonia among jewellery dating back to 2500 BC. The tomb of Queen Puabi, who was buried in 2600 BC, included several gold chains that she wore in different ways. The old Greek, Roman and Egyptian civilisations followed later. An intricate 4th or 5th century Romano British gold body chain with an amethyst and four garnets, made for a slight woman or a girl, was found in the Hoxne Hoard in Suffolk. Around the Tudor period, heavy gold chains were both fashionable and statements of positions and power.

File:(MYNAME(마이네임)) 인생극장 49화 Mission 0531 34s.jpg|Necklaces File:Minion bracelet.jpg|Bracelets File:The Leg with Zanzar.jpg|Anklets File:Sonakshi Sinha promotes 'Rowdy Rathore' on DID L'il Masters (8).jpg|Belly chains File:Gold body chain hoxne treasure reflections.JPG|alt=Frontal view of a grey female bust with four gold bands of many fine links, two draped over the shoulders and two plunging from the breast bone sweeping below the breasts and going behind the back. The four converge between the breasts, where each band ends in a head which connects to a centerpiece, a purple gem surrounded by eight smaller sockets, four empty and four with red stones.|Body chains File:Präsident des Europäischen Parlamentes im Kölner Rathaus-8676.jpg|Chain of office

Styles

There are a vast number of chain styles and techniques for making them. These are some of the more popular designs and their more common names. However, the names differ with countries depending on traditions.

ChainImageDescription
**Anchor (I)**[[File:Silver anchor chain 2.jpg130px]]or **Cable** chain, copies the style of the chain that holds large anchors on ships. One of the simplest and most universal chains. The links are oval, made from round wire. Diamond cutting (chains) Several versions have one or two of their sides ground flat and polished, giving the chain more sparkle through these facets. (*pictured*) This is called "Diamond cutting" of the chain. Anchor chains with very long and open links are often called **Paperclip chains**.
**Anchor (II)**[[File:Chain, watch (51360169071), cropped.jpg130px]]last1=GQtitle=Chain style guideurl=https://thechainhut.co.uk/necklace-chain-style-type-guidewebsite=www.thechainhut.co.ukpublisher=The Chain Hutaccess-date=28 January 2025}}
**Ball**[[File:Silver ball chain 2.jpg130px]]or **Bead** chain, is formed of small balls of metal joined by small lengths of wire, not longer than each bead in between. Also has its own 'snap over the first link' fastening. Larger steel versions are more often used to hold ID cards than in jewellery, but finer ones may be found for the purpose.
**Belcher**[[File:Halskedja med lås, av guld och ametist, 1824 - Hallwylska museet - 109872, cropped.jpg130px]]title=The big guide to chain typesurl=https://www.marketsquarejewelers.com/blogs/msj-handbook/the-big-guide-to-chain-types?srsltid=AfmBOorLJrbF2NcmqHUMk2-1FXWEnSdTDuddpd7VQmcfxyc1Fu8fmVHTwebsite=www.marketsquarejewelers.compublisher=Market Square Jewelers.access-date=26 January 2025date=June 29, 2021 }}
**Box**[[File:Urkedja, 1840-tal - Hallwylska museet - 109985, cropped.jpg130px]]This is similar to the Venetian chain, but the links are looser and rectangular, whereas the Venetian's are always square and tighter.
**Brick**[[File:Bricklink.jpg130px]]or **Serpentine** chain, **Cobra**, **Boston** link, **S-link**, **C-link** or **Flat** link, is a semi-rigid chain, pressed so tightly that the links have almost fused into a solid band.
**Byzantine**[[File:Oxidized Mens Byzantine ChainMaille Bracelet, edited.jpg130px]]or **Turkish**, is an intricate design in which each link is connected to four other links, creating a woven appearance.
**Curb**[[File:Gold chain for Lister's pocket watch, cropped.jpg130px]](cf. Curb chain), **Cuban** or **Twisted** is when the links interlock with each other when laid flat. Some more open-link curb chains can only be distinguished from a trace by this method, while the denser curb chain known as closed curb keep their appearance whichever way they hang. This style of chain has the greatest variety of widths available, from a few millimeters to over four centimeters. The links can be round, flattened or faceted in a large variety of ways.
**Fancy**[[File:Poland Gold filigree chain.jpg130px]]A fancy chain can be anything; any form of fine metal that can be replicated and joined onto each other to make a chain. Many fancy chains are variations of the standard styles, for example a trace chain formed of heart-shaped links or a curb chain with every other link set with a gemstone.
**Figaro**[[File:Figaro silver chain 3.jpg130px]]Figaro is not really a style but a popular variation of the Curb chain. A number of standard links (usually three) precede an elongated link all the way through. This variation can be replicated by many of the styles mentioned.
**Foxtail**[[File:Foxtail silver chain.jpg130px]]This chain gets its intricate V-shaped pattern from two rows of oval rings connected by flat rings in the middle. It can be shaped, twisted and hammered to become more square or rectangular.
**Franco**[[File:Gold Franco chain 2.jpg130px]]title=What Is a Franco Chain: History, Origins, and Usesurl=https://6ixice.com/blogs/news/what-is-a-franco-chainwebsite=www.6ixice.compublisher=6 iceaccess-date=29 January 2025}}
**Omega**[[File:Givenchy Vintage Gold Choker with a High Neck Dress, cropped.jpg130px]]or more correctly Omega necklace, is a pseudo-chain made by assembling metallic plates on a wire or woven mesh. The plates give the appearance of links in a chain.
**Prince Of Wales**[[File:Necklace (AM 71164-4), cropped.jpg130px]]This is a loose Rope chain. This chain consists of a twisting chain made of small circular links, where each single link has no less than four others joining into it. It resembles the Singapore, but is more loosely interlocked.
**Rolo**[[File:Gold rolo chain 3.jpg130px]]last1=Franchetti Michaelsfirst1=Christitle=More Teach Yourself VISUALLY Jewelry Making: Techniques to Take Your Projects to the Next Leveldate=2012publisher=John Wiley & Sonsisbn=1-118-23660-2pages=196-197url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ceF_vlT2QdUC}}
**Rope**[[File:Gold-hollow-rope-necklace, cropped.webp130px]]title=Types of Necklace Chainsurl=https://www.mygemologist.com/learn/general-info/types-of-necklace-chains/?srsltid=AfmBOorFb0iV2WNyx1UlM0p2XqIpgxeOt1IJ90pGGr06vZJHSbaP9PgHwebsite=www.mygemologist.compublisher=Arden Jewelersaccess-date=26 January 2025}}
**Saturn**[[File:Tiffany and Company - Sautoir with Pearl Pendant - Walters 572034,cropped.jpg130px]]also called **Station** or **Bobble** chain, is a chain with evenly spaced beads, discs or ovals upon the chain.
**Scroll**[[File:Catenina e spille, cropped.jpg130px]]also called **Snail**, **S type**, **Meander** or even **Greek key** chain since its design resembles old meander ornamentation.
**Singapore**[[File:Singapore silver chain.jpg130px]]This chain may also be called **Twisted Curb**, but the links are joined in such a way that, even when the chain is untwisted, there is always a natural curve to it. Usually this chain is sold very fine and has a liquid-like look to it.
**Snake**[[File:Round snake silver chain 2.jpg130px]]Snake chain is a very tight-linked chain that has a round or square cross-section and has links that create a slight zigzag look.
**Spiga**[[File:Spiga chain in 18K gold.jpg130px]]or **Wheat**, is formed of very long, thin teardrop-shape links that all point in the same direction. The join of each link is like a tiny hinge, meaning this style is not as flexible or liquid-like as some others. It forms a 3D chain that feels almost square, and looks as though the wire has been plaited.
**Trace**[[File:Silver Jewellery Chain.jpg130px]]last1=Cooksongoldtitle=A Beginner’s Guide To Different Types of Chainurl=https://www.cooksongold.com/blog/buying-guide/different-types-of-chain/website=The Benchpublisher=Cooksongoldaccess-date=26 January 2025}}
**Venetian**[[File:Venetian gold chain 2.jpg130px]]Venetian chains are very similar to Box chain, but the links are always square, whereas the Box chains are looser and rectangular.
**Cardano**[[File:Sterling-silver-cardano-chain-2-1-mm-sideview.webpthumb119x119pxnone]]Cardano chain characterised by its rounded retangular links which have been a raised dome on the surface to create a smooth feel. Interlocked closely together, the links allow for an effortless appearance whilst naturally creating a rigid curve that forms perfectly when worn.

Video

References

References

  1. "Chain". [[Merriam-Webster]].
  2. "Chain". [[Collins English Dictionary]].
  3. Scanlan, Caelum. (May 31, 2024). "Exploring the Different Types of Jewellery Chains: A Style Guide". [[Shiels Jewellers]].
  4. (2011). "Jewelry Concepts & Technology". [[Random House.
  5. "Chunky chains and how to wear them". Silver Works.
  6. (2011). "Jewelry Concepts & Technology". [[Random House.
  7. (2012). "Illustrated Guide to Jewelry Appraising: Antique, Period, and Modern". [[Springer Science+Business Media]].
  8. "Stylish Stacks: Mastering the Art of Layered Necklace Styles". Marcelo Marins Rodrigues.
  9. (2011). "Jewelry Concepts & Technology". [[Random House.
  10. (1880). "The Mosaic Record and Modern Science". H. Gannett.
  11. "A short history of the chain". Jewelry Maker.
  12. (April 29, 2021). "A History Of Chain Necklaces". Gatsby Jewellery.
  13. [https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1362670&partId=1&searchText=hoxne+chain&page=1 British Museum Collection]
  14. "Chain style guide". The Chain Hut.
  15. (June 29, 2021). "The big guide to chain types". Market Square Jewelers..
  16. "What is a Curb Chain?". The Chain Hut.
  17. "Curb chain". Unique Jewelry GmbH.
  18. "All you need to know about the Foxtail Chain". The Chain Hut.
  19. "What Is a Franco Chain: History, Origins, and Uses". 6 ice.
  20. "Omega chain". Unique Jewelry GmbH.
  21. "Prince of Wales & Singapore Chains". Hatton Jewellers.
  22. (2012). "More Teach Yourself VISUALLY Jewelry Making: Techniques to Take Your Projects to the Next Level". [[Wiley (publisher).
  23. "Rolo chain". Unique Jewelry GmbH.
  24. "Types of Necklace Chains". Arden Jewelers.
  25. "Heavy S type Silver Chain For Mens". Shubh Jewellers.
  26. "Silver 925 Meander Chain". Taxiarchis Bros S.A.
  27. "A Beginner’s Guide To Different Types of Chain". Cooksongold.
  28. "Sterling Silver 2.1mm Rounded Cardano Chain Necklace".
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