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 |
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Thick oval links that are bisected, each directly connected to the next. | Gucci, Marine, Mariner |
| Ball |
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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 |
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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. | |
| Boston Link |
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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 |
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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 |
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Individual stone settings connected by a bar. | Cupchain, Rhinestone |
| Curb |
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A cable chain that has been twisted until the links lay flat and have a more interlocked appearance. | Gourmette |
| Double Curb |
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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 |
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Round or oval links connected by an infinity-shaped link. | Infinity |
| Fox Tail |
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Two rows of oval links at a 45-degree angle and connected by small flat rings at the center. | |
| French Rope |
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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 |
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Cable or curb chain that has long, usually oval, links connected by a smaller round link. | Oval/Round |
| Marquise |
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Marquise 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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Hollow links, created by stamping, that are fitted together to create a large amount of texture. | Bombata, Textured Snake |
| Ring and Connector |
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Sturdy rings connected by bands of flat wire in a shape similar to a staple. | |
| Rolo |
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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 |
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Twisted links connected to two other links in a row. | |
| Serpentine |
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S-shaped links joined end to end. | |
| Singapore |
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Jump rings are connected to create larger diamond-shaped sections. Each section is twisted and flattened then connected to the previous section. | |
| Snake |
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Round and curved bands are tightly joined together. | Brazilian, Caprice |
| Wheat |
 
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Infinity-shaped links interconnected into a braided look. | Espiga, Spiga |