GAVBARI pearls – how to make jewelry with pearls
February 22, 2022
The most fashionable chain types – part 2
March 9, 2022
Update 04.04.2023
When choosing chain styles for necklace or bracelet, we often have a dilemma which one to choose, because the multitude of chain patterns stuns us. Each style is beautiful in its own way and has its own advantages. Some jewelry chains are so decorative that they do not require a pendant. Sometimes the prevailing chain trends can help us choose, in which the link shapes are assigned to a specific type of jewellery or way of wearing. For example, usually a thin design of the anchor chain is intended for celebrities, and a ball chain for dog tags, while a heavy curb chain is popular as solo chain (without a pendant) primarily among men.
But as you know, fashion changes on a regular basis – currently thick chains, with massive links, often referred to as men’s strands, are also picked by ladies. However, chain jewellery is not limited to necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Chain braids known as body chain are also admired by ladies on other parts of the body – most often as layered trace chains flowing down the neckline or as belly chain. In current fashion, there are no strict rules how to wear or combine chains – we are happy to mix varieties and thicknesses of many styles.
We invite you on a two-part journey through the most fashionable chains. Will you go there with us?
Types of silver chains
Royal chains
The royal weave, also known as the byzantine chain, as one of the most beautiful patterns – fully deserves this name. It is made of links intertwined in a rather complicated way – each of them connects to the next four. It is not known exactly where the name of the chain style comes from, but the associations lead to the splendor and magnificence of the Byzantine Empire – and this is how this spectacular design looks like. Bracelets and necklaces with this pattern are usually massive and often handmade. The royal chain has many varieties – the classic one consists of round links, but nowadays, you can find its modifications – made of more rectangular or square elements.
To emphasize the attractiveness of the design, different colors or the size and thickness of the links are often used. Men especially like this style of chains, but they are also adored by women. This link chain itself is extremely decorative, which is why necklaces or bracelets do not require pendants and are usually worn alone, although sometimes – for less massive models – men hang a cross or other modern pendants.
We offer collection of royal chains as:
- hand-folded royal chain necklace with a clasp – of various lengths,
- handmade royal chain bracelet with clasp.
Anchor chains (anker chain)
Popular weaves of chains are represented by the anchor style (also referred to as anker). The connotations of its name refer to the chains attached to ship anchors. In its basic form, it is simple in construction – it usually consists of oval shaped links or rectangular meshes with flat and rounded corners. A characteristic feature of this design is the connection of links at right angles. Recently there is a huge demand for massive variants which are represented by paperclip necklace available in many lengths. Due to its popularity, the anchor chain has many variations that you will discover in our range:
- classic anchor chain,
- anchor consisting of perfectly round links,
- satelite chain – anchor with balls,
- twisted chain – cord chain,
- flat anchor chain,
- braided chain,
- anchor chain with plates that are arranged alternately with classic links, thanks to which they reflect light better,
- anchor clover – the chain is made of plates resembling clover leaves.
Subtle, thin and classic anker chain is suitable for creating still fashionable celebrity necklaces and standard jewellery with pendants. Thin models are also used to design chain pendants for earrings or necklaces (such as tassels), and thicker ones for extender chains (thick enough to easily attach a clasp). Anchor chain in thicker versions is also often chosen by men.
The weave of anchors in its most delicate variants is the most susceptible to breaking, and its classic thin version is the most prone to tangling – therefore it requires special attention. Despite this, no one gives up creating and buying jewellery based on it, because the whole beauty of celebrities or other delicate necklaces with pendants lies in their subtlety and minimalism. In addition, we do not buy jewelry for extreme handling, but to add charm and expose our style. These chain types looks very attractive also without pendants. If you are looking for more sophisticated ideas, this style is also ideal for making solo anchor bracelet, chain ring, dangle chain earrings and body chain jewellery. In the offer of 925CRAFT jewelry wholesaler, you will find this popular chain weave as:
- anchor chain necklace for pendants of the connector type – in this category you will find chains for 1, 2 or 3 pendants, asymmetrical necklaces, for threading, with attached eye pin for beads and three layer necklace created on one clasp,
- silver anchor chain with a clasp for classic pendants – in addition to solo chains, you will also find a double chain necklace, as well as a ready-made necklace with a heart,
- anchor chain bracelet, including a base for charms and ankle chain,
- rolls of chain, including anchor link gold chain,
- 585 gold chains with a clasp, an example of which is the gold anchor chain.
Curb chains
Curb chain is very often considered a male chain style – especially in its thicker versions, such as 5.2 mm or almost 8 mm. The curb link chain has regular, slightly rhomboid links, polished on two sides, thanks to which it shines brilliantly in the sun. The links are quite tightly and flatly intertwined, in the way that they resemble armor. This type of chain is one of the strongest and most resistant to breaking. The silver curb chain can have different versions, and in our offer you will find it in various thicknesses, in the classic version, with elongated and flattened links, as well as in the diamond cut version – with better shine. Men’s curb chain is attractive in itself and does not require additional pendants, which is why thicker chains are perfect to wear as independent accessories. Delicate versions are usually bought by ladies, but they are also used by men to hang a cross or other stylish pendants. In our offer you will find curb silver chain as:
- wholesale curb chain by the meter,
- curb chain necklace for pendants,
- 925 silver curb chain for connectors,
- curb chain bracelet,
- cuban link bracelet for men,
- cuban link chain for men.
Singapore chains
The origin of the name referring to the city is not precisely established. The singapore weave is a variant of twisted curb chain. Its appearance resembles the structure of DNA. It is a strong and durable weave, so you can hang a more massive pendant on it (adjust the chain and its thickness to the weight of the pendant). Its twisting gives it three-dimensionality and thus a more attractive play of light. The singapore chain is more subtle in appearance than the classic curb, which is why it is most often treated as a feminine jewellery. It looks ideal both with a pendant and in the solo version. In our offer, you will find this unique style of chain in various lengths and thickness as ready-made sterling silver singapore chain necklace with clasp.
Figaro chains
The figaro chain is another derivative of the curb weave. However, it has a similar style, it differs from it in that every second, every third or every fourth link is more elongated. This pattern became popular at the end of the 18th century thanks to the opera “The Marriage of Figaro”, and precisely referring to the name of the main character of the opera, who was wearing a thick chain with such a weave. It did not go unnoticed by jewelers – they did not remain indifferent to it and began creating such jewellery on a large scale. This trend crossed the borders of Italy and then Europe to conquer the world and is still popular among men and women today. The figaro link chain is universal, so representatives of both sexes wear it alone or with pendants. Today, it has many variants – it comes in various colors and shapes of elongated links or with decorations in the form of zircons and patterns on the links. In the 925CRAFT jewelry shop, we present the sterling silver figaro chain as:
- figaro necklace chain (with a clasp) of various thicknesses and lengths in two variants: one-on-one figaro (i.e. every second link is elongated) or one-on-three,
- figaro chain bracelet,
- figaro style chain by the meter.
Fox tail chain
The fox tail chain is also a kind of jewelry finding sought after on the market. It owes its name to the association of its appearance with the fluffiness of the fox’s tail. We offer this spatial weave with a dense arrangement of links in a twisted version, which is considered even more attractive. The links of the chain are intertwined in the form of a braid. The chain is stiffer than chains with more traditionally connected links – this makes it a bit like a rope chain and requires more care in handling it to avoid kinks. But this feature is completely compensated by its high quality and beautiful appearance. It looks very attractive both as neck jewellery with and without a pendant. The silver foxtail chain belongs rather to women’s designs. It is worn in thick and thin styles. Sterling silver foxtail chain can be found on our website as:
- foxtail necklace in several lengths.
Cord chains
The cord chain derives its name from cord – because of the similarity in appearance. The chain is a variant of the anchor, but double and twisted, very sophisticated in terms of aesthetics. Although this original weave gives the impression of being strong and massive, on the jewellery market you can find a full or empty (blown) version of the links – and this feature determines the weight of the chain and its resistance to damage. Deformed in the blown option, it is no longer suitable for repair. In our offer, you will find its full version – a solid cord pattern that will appeal to many lovers of chain jewellery. The cord chain shines beautifully and looks perfect as a decoration in itself, without pendants. In thicker cuts, it is typically worn solo, but also with pendants attached to a bail or jump ring. They are treated rather as weaves of women’s chains. The offer of the 925CRAFT wholesale jewellery supplier includes chains with this pattern as: silver chain in bulk, silver chain bracelet, chain necklaces for pendants. Hearts chains
In the case of this weave, its name is obvious – it consists of heart shaped links, connected to each other perpendicularly (similarly to the anchor). It is an interesting and delicate pattern, usually made of thin wire, which looks charming in the form of a chain necklace, bracelet or silver sterling anklet. It comes in various modifications of the shape of hearts. Not only that, but it can be successfully worn alone. When choosing an additional pendant, it is good to do it with caution, because not all of them will match it with its style or size. The heart weave definitely belongs to women’s types of chains. What is more, girls may like it, so it’s worth trying to create jewellery for children based on this chain. On our website you will find heart chain as:
- sterling silver chain by the meter,
- hearts bracelet,
- heart chain necklace (for a connector-type pendant),
- bracelet or necklace extender.
This is where we will stop in the first part of our journey through the world of different chain styles. Welcome to the second “The most fashionable chain styles – part. 2“, where you will discover other styles ideal for jewellery making:
- box chain (venetian chain),
- belcher chain,
- ball chain,
- rombo chain,
- snake chain,
- coreana chain,
- cardano chain,
- snake tail chain.
Also, at the end of this journey, you’ll learn which chain types are identified as more feminine and which as masculine.
What is worth remembering when choosing the types of jewelry chain?
- About the purpose of use:Our decision to choose the chain link styles is influenced not only by its appearance (which depends mainly on the type of weave), our taste and style or fashion, but also – in the case of jewellery makers – its purpose. For example, thin, delicate weaves are not chosen for a bracelet with beads, but more massive ones, an example of which is the weave of a snake’s tail. For threaded earrings – the opposite – delicate chains (for obvious reasons, so that they fit in the hole of the earlobe). Thin models are also used for chain tassels, such as earring chains. However, when choosing a weave for a sterling silver necklace chain extender, you need to take into account the size of the links, so that the clasp can be easily attached to them. The extension is often thicker and differs in weave from the carrier in the necklace.
- About practicality and resistance to tearing and tangling:In this case, the choice of chain style may be determined by the weight of the pendant – for massive pendants and stones a thicker base or a braided chain should be selected – so that it does not break, is proportional to the size of the pendant and does not dominate it. When it comes to tangling, thin models created with anchor weave are the most susceptible to it. This may be important information for customers who do not remember to put away and store jewellery safely, preferably in a hanging position. In this situation, it may be worth rethinking the choice of pattern and opt for a thicker weave.
Jewelry on thin chains is worth taking off (or waiting with buying it) when taking care of small children who love to pull on such accessories – it is easy to break them then.
We hope that the above suggestions and characteristics of weaves will be an incentive for you to take advantage of the offer of the 925CRAFT chain wholesaler. Browse our virtual showcases of jewelry findings with many styles and find the models you are interested in, available as different types of neck chains, charm bracelets with a clasp and wholesale chains by the meter.
If you have any questions, ask them in the comments, and we will be happy to answer them!
Also be inspired by other articles:
- Discover other types of sterling silver chains: The most fashionable chain styles – part. 2.
- Find out more about sterling silver findings: 925CRAFT – silver jewelry wholesaler.
- Compose original decorations with chains: Jewelry made of chains.
Want to know more?
- Find out: Swarovski crystals – how to check if they are original?
- Read the article: Zodiac silver pendants and celestial jewelry findings
- Get inspired: Jewelry services – electroplating silver and gold
- Check out also: Be yourself! Swarovski trends for Fall/Winter 2019/2020
- Discover: Create your own crystal jewellery set
