JEWELRY CHAIN STYLES
Untangle any confusion over chains. We show you various styles of chain, how each looks, a description and an alternate name for the chain.
Style | Looks Like | What It Is | Also Called |
Anchor | Thick oval links that are bisected, each directly connected to the next. | Gucci, Marine, Mariner | |
Ball | Balls, usually hollow, that are connected with small bars. | Pelline, Bead | |
Bar And Link | Small oval or round links connecting bar links. The bar links may be solid or hollow. | Tube | |
Beaded | Beads on links created with wire are connected directly or with small rings. | ||
Beading | An extremely thin chain specifically designed for stringing beads. Generally found in a cable or snake chain style. | Add-a-Bead | |
Boston Link | Square wire is used to create the rectangular links that are tightly fitted together in a fashion similar to cable chain. | ||
Box | Cube-like links linked directly together. | Square Link, Venetian, Book | |
Byzantine | Links made of interlocked jump rings. This type of chain is most often associated with chainmaille jewelry-making techniques. | Birdcage, King’s Braid, Idiot's Delight | |
Cable | Uniform links connected end to end perpendicularly. The links of cable chain can be almost any shape, but the most common are oval and round. | Link | |
Crinkle | Cable chain that has had links crimped to create angles. | Krinkle, Peanut | |
Crisscross | Flat rectangular links joined at the center, widthwise. The chain is very reflective due to the ever-changing link profile. | Margherita | |
Cup | Individual stone settings connected by a bar. | Cupchain, Rhinestone | |
Curb | A cable chain that has been twisted until the links lay flat and have a more interlocked appearance. | Gourmette | |
Double Curb | Curb chain with double links. | Charm, Charm Bracelet, Parallel Chain | |
Fancy Link | Specially shaped links connected by smaller jump rings. Some possible shapes include flowers, animals, stars and more. | Decorative | |
Figaro | A cable or curb chain with longer links connected by three to five shorter links. | ||
Figure Eight | Round or oval links connected by an infinity-shaped link. | Infinity | |
Fox Tail | Two rows of oval links at a 45-degree angle and connected by small flat rings at the center. | ||
French Rope | Two rows of interconnected twisted links. The links are connected so intricately that no solder is needed to maintain the weave or the spiral. | ||
Herringbone | Rows of V-shaped links that lay flat. Each new row is placed in the opposite direction of the previous, creating the herringbone pattern. | ||
Infinity Link | Flat infinity links connected with unsoldered jump rings. Excellent for creating chainmaille-style jewelry. | ||
Interlocking | Large and small round links joined with small round links. Smaller link almost appears to be floating inside the large link. | ||
Lantern | Each link is made of a flat piece with eight prongs. The prongs of each link are hooked into the flat bottom of the next link. | ||
Long and Short | Cable or curb chain that has long, usually oval, links connected by a smaller round link. | Oval/Round | |
Marquise | Marquis shaped links that interlock at 90-degree angles. | ||
Mesh | Wire woven or knitted to the desired length. | Knitted, Viking Knit | |
Omega | Wide plates crimped onto an underlying mesh or plates. Usually wide and flat with low flexibility. | ||
Paperclip | Oblong links of uniform size, usually proportionately thin for their size, resembling a paperclip in shape. Open links are easy to embellish with charms, drops, focals and more. | ||
Ponytail | Links are created in such a way that you have space to add embellishments and the smooth flow of snake chain all at once. | ||
Popcorn | Hollow links, created by stamping, that are fitted together to create a large amount of texture. | Bombata, Textured Snake | |
Ring and Connector | Sturdy rings connected by bands of flat wire in a shape similar to a staple. | ||
Rolo | Uniform links made from flat or half-round wire. Each link is directly connected to the next at a perpendicular angle. The ratio of the wire width and the link diameter gives a more sturdy appearance than cable chains. | Belcher | |
Round Link | Large links connected perpendicularly with smaller links. This term applies to those styles with round links, but can be changed to square link, diamond link, etc. | Big and Small | |
Rope | Twisted links connected to two other links in a row. | ||
Serpentine | S-shaped links joined end to end. | ||
Singapore | Jump rings are connected to create larger diamond-shaped sections. Each section is twisted and flattened then connected to the previous section. | ||
Snake | Round and curved bands are tightly joined together. | Brazilian, Caprice | |
Wheat | Infinity-shaped links interconnected into a braided look. | Espiga, Spiga |