Types of Gold Chains
Gold chain necklaces are widely used as a piece of jewelry, both by men and women around the world. They are a perfect, minimalistic piece of jewelry you can wear around your neck. With the number of designs and styles that exist in the market, it becomes difficult sometimes to choose one out of those.
All gold chains are made up of a series of smaller loops called links that are joined with each other or interconnected to form a certain length of chain. The variables that influence the price of the chains most are--the thickness of the chain, the length of the chain, whether it is hollow or solid (which influences the weight), and the Karat of gold they are made with. A beautiful adornment that they are, different kinds of chains have their pluses and minuses. Most jewelers will not provide you any guarantee on kinking or breaking of chains. However, there are ways to ensure that does not happen, for example inspecting them regularly, not pulling or tugging at them, and not pinching them or twisting them.
Based on the shape of the links, gold chains have been given a variety of names. The names and the shapes of the chains (and their links) can be confusing to a layman. We have tried to gather information to help you identify some popular kinds of chains and their pros and cons to help you decide which one to buy.
Ball / Bead Chains
Ball/Bead chains have tiny identical beads or balls linked with each other. The balls are connected closer to each other with a metal wire in a way that there are small spaces present between the balls/beads to allow some movement in the chain. The beads can come with a plain, high-polish finish or may be embossed, frosted, engraved or may have diamond cut designs on them. The size of the beads may also vary, ranging from the size of a mustard seed to a peppercorn, or even bigger, if one likes
While they look attractive, they may not be as sturdy. The ball/bead chains look best when paired with pendants. You can find an array of gold and diamond pendants to choose from at NLGF. Additionally, NLGF had matching bracelets to go with your chains.
Box Chain
Box chains are made using a series of square links that resemble boxes. These links connect and form a smooth chain. Box chains are among the most popular gold chain forms and, men and women both wear them. Various types of widths and lengths are available for box chains. Men usually prefer wider box chains.
Box chains are sturdy and do not break easily. If at all they do happen to break, it may not generally require soldering the link to repair it. A pinch with a pair of pliers can fix the break without affecting the design.
Cable Chain
The cable chains look like iron chains that consist of uniform, identical oval links interlocked with each other. The alternate links are turned at 90 degree. In some cable chains, the wire may be flat or textured instead of round to make the chain appear flat. Cable chains are strong and it is easy to fix the link if there is any breakage. The links may be soldered for better security.
Franco Chain
Franco chains are an extension of curb chains. The distinct V pattern is achieved by placing two or four curb chains flat against each other and then weaving them together using the V shaped links. Franco chains are sturdy and do well with a pendant or even alone on their own.
Curb Chain
The curb chains are a variation of cable chains. They have uniform, flattened and twisted links interconnected with each other. Curb chains are unisex. Men go for heavy and chunky curb chains for a more masculine appeal. Some may even like to pair them with matching heavy curb link bracelets. Another trend is to make them appear fancier with diamond cut design on them. The diamond cut adds an extra ounce of appeal to the jewelry. For females, smaller and thinner curb chains are best when paired with pendants and matching bracelets. Curb gold chains are strong, and you can handle them easily.
Figaro Chain
Figaro gold chains have flattened links of various sizes interlocked alternately. The pattern ultimately shows a series of sets of links, where a longer link is followed by two or maybe three shorter, uniform links.
Figaro chains are unisex and can be worn by both men and women. These kind of chains are solid, and if your link encounters any breakage, it can be fixed easily. However, because of its pattern, you will need to replace the entire set containing the broken link; removing the link alone will spoil the pattern.
Rope Chain
A rope gold is the best kind you will ever find. This kind of chain has metal segments forming a pattern by twisting around so they appear like a rope. The rope chain is hugely popular worldwide. Rope chains are sturdy, durable among all chain types. You can easily wear them with a pendant because of their sturdiness, they do not break apart. They come in various thickness and lengths. Delicate, thinner rope chains look perfect when combined with a pendant, whereas thicker chains shine alone. Rope chains have twisting patterns, reflecting light in various angles, making them lustrous. These chains are also unisex and easy to fix if they do break apart. However, the soldering spot may be easily visible depending on how it is done and who does it. We at NLGF use laser welding, which is the best solution for soldering this kind of intricate chains.
Snake/Brazilian Chain
As the name suggests, a snake chain resembles a snake in terms of its appearance and flexibility. This kind of chain has small rings (can be plates or bands) that are joined so closely that it gives it a snake like appearance. The chain looks like a narrow, flexible tube. Snake chains can be paired with a pendant to make an eye-catching piece of jewelry. As they are semi-rigid, they do not get tangled easily and do not catch hair or other objects. You can wear a snake chain for daily use as it is easy to handle and clean. However, these chains are delicate and not an easy fix.
Spiga / Wheat Chain
This kind of chains come from the family of rope chains and resemble the pattern on tips of the wheat stalks or spigas. These chains are made of twisted oval links that are woven together unidirectionally, creating a delicate symmetrical chain. The chain appears classy and timeless. It is durable and strong, so you can wear it with pendants.
Herringbone Chain
A series of thin flat metal segments connect to form the herringbone gold chain. Each of the segments is center bent, creating the herringbone shape. This solid-looking chain has an eye-catching appearance, however, it is less flexible.
Omega Chain
Just like the herringbone chain, an omega chain also consists of metal segments that are flat and connected together. Omega chains bend and twirl, this makes them less durable in comparison to other chain types. However, they are stylish and can be worn as a choker.
Flat Mariner and Puffed Mariner Link Chain
This kind of chains are made using flat oval links that are interlocked together. The oval links here feature a bar that divides the link to two halves. Mariner chains are strong, sturdy and not at all a difficult fix if they break. A mariner chain is available in various widths. Thick mariner chains suit men whereas thin and delicate chains suits women. In addition to flat oval links, a new trend is to use puffed oval links to make what is called ‘puffed mariner chain’. If your mariner chain is thick, you can wear it alone, but if you have a smaller-width mariner chain, you can combine it with a pendant for a breathtaking look.
Anchor Chain
This kind of chains use similar links as the mariner except that alternate links are turned at 90 degree.
Belcher or Rolo
This kind of chains features an alternating pattern of uniform sized D shaped links where every alternate link is turned at a 90 degree.
Tennis Chain
Tennis chains distinguish themselves as diamond chains instead of gold chains. These studded chains have an array of (mostly uniform size and specifications except sometimes in the centre of the length of the chain) diamonds set in either 14KT or 18 KT gold. Depending on the size of the diamonds, these could be very expensive, not to mention that they won’t be suitable for daily use.
Miami Cuban Chain
One of the best and widely loved chains are the Miami Cuban link gold chains. These chains are made using round or oval links interconnected in a sleek, unison pattern. Miami cuban chains can be the ‘classic’ round edged style or a more recent square, pointy edged ‘prong link’ style which has been gaining a lot of popularity. Whether ‘classic’ or ‘prong link’, these chains can be anywhere from a very light chain of a few grams up to a mammoth sized chain of a few kilos. The robust that these chains are, they are popular among men. Women prefer lighter and skinny versions of this type of chain. Depending on the strength of the chain, you could adorn it with a medallion pendant or find a matching Miami Cuban link bracelet to go with your chain. One of the customers at NL Gold Factory in fact, loved it so much that he not only treated himself to a Miami Cuban chain and bracelet but also got a collar made for his furry fella.
Like always, we’d say, if you still have questions, please feel free to speak to us at NL Gold Factory and we’ d happily provide you information to help you make that decision
