Jewelry Chains

chain your designs to beauty

When it comes to jewelry making, there is more to jewelry chains than just hanging pendants off them.  Why not use them as an integral part of the jewelry making itself?  Many designers have done just that to great effect. Check out some inspirational jewelry designs where chains have been used as an essential jewelry component.

 

If you plan to use chains, you will also find that there is a whole plethora of chain types.  So getting familiar with some will go a long way in helping you find and buy just want you want.

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Types of Jewelry Chains

Anchor Chain
This chain originates from the chain used to attach and anchor to a vessel.  This is a common and popular jewelry chain and the Flat Anchor Chain is a sleek and elegant variation of this chain.  Find some interesting jewelry chains variations here.

Basketweave Chain


Bead Chain
This is sometimes also called Ball Chain. The reason for either name is quite obvious. This type of chains has round beads fixed along the chain, either with some distance between each bead or the beads could be strung next to each other. The beads can also be interspaced by short chain lengths.


Box Chain
A box chain is made up of square links - links that are wide and square (hence resembling a box) - that are connected to create a smooth chain.  The construct is this chain makes it look sturdy yet stylishly sleek and simplistic.

Byzantine Chain (sometimes spelt as Bizantine chain)
Byzantine chain is intricate, elaborate, and graceful. It is made up of oval or round links ; pairs are linked onto pairs to form the old-world textural desing. They are soft and flexible, with great drapability.

You can find some superb DIY instructions on making your own byzantine jewelry chain.

Cable Chain - A cable chain, also known as link chain, is made up of round or oval links of uniform sizes. This is the chain that most people think of when they think of "chains".

This is not to be confused with the Rolo chain which is also made up of uniform round or oval links.  The links in the latter are much rounder and fatter.

Nor is this to be confused with the Anchor chain even though sometimes this is called an anchor chain or anchor style chain.  This is because both these naming is based on the fact that it resembles the chains used to link anchors to shipping vessels.  However these traditional ship anchor chains came in 2 variations - the single loop link and the bisect loop link.


Curb Chain
Curb chains are made up of flattened loops.


Figaro Chain
The Figaro chain, like the curb chain, has flattened links. Unlike the curb chain, it does nto have one uniform size links alone. Instead, it usually has 2 or 3 shorter links alternating with a longer link.


Infinity Link Chain - This chain is made up of links that have the "8" or "infinity" loop.

Omega Chain
An omega chain is unlike normal chains in that, instead of a series of linked rings, it is make up of smooth rounded metal plates which are set side by side, on a wire or woven mesh. The embedded wire or woven mesh provides the strength and yields a fairly stiff but flexible chains.

Omega chains are normally flat, though you can also find round ones these days.

The construct of the chain provides a  flat, reflective surface that gives it a rich feel and incredible shine. This is also true of the snake chain which is an interesting variation on this.


Panther Link Chain -


Popcorn Chain - (see a very intriguing variation of this in the panther link chain)




Rolo Chain - A rolo chain is made up of symmetrical links (usually round or oval) that are connected together. This chain is ideally suited for hanging charms and dangles to great effect and ease. It is also the chain type most often found with belcher braclets and necklaces.


Rope Chain - A rope chain consists of oval links that are linked so that they produce a woven rope arising from the resultant spiral effect. This chain is one of the most versatile and loved of all the many types of jewelry chains. It is sturdy and has in intriguing interwoven lok.  The diamond cut version has more luster than those without.

Singapore Chain


Snake Chain (aka Brazilian chain)
Like the omega chain, the snake chain is also not made up of traditional linked rings. It is instead of made up of round wavy smooth metal plates joined so that it forms a flexible tube. It got its name fromt the fact that the end result looks like a smooth, sleek snake skin from the wavy joins.

The distinguishing difference between the snake and the omega is that the latter is made up of non-wavy smooth metal discs or plates.


Twist Rope chain is another very interesting and popular variation of the rope chain.


Venetian Link Chain
The venetian link chain is like a flattedn Box Chain.  It too is made up of box links.


Wheat Chain
Wheat Chains are normally created with four stands of oval and twisted oval links. These strands are braided and woven together to make a stunning chain of great visual texture.

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Be aware that as with much of the jewelry making industry, the terms and labels of things are not totally consistent across the board. So sometimes you will see the same necklace described and labelled differently on different sites.

There is so many variations of jewelry chains that it has not been possible to display the full and definitive range of them all. We hope that what we have shown here has helped with some of your identification needs and tweaked your creative juices about the many possibilites of using chains in all their splendiferous variety.

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