Get to know more about types of jewelry chains, styles, and effects in our glossary. This is a great reference to bookmark and refer to often when shopping for chain jewelry supplies. This popular blog post was updated in 2019.
Jewelry Chain is made in many different shapes, sizes, and styles. This glossary of types of jewelry chain links and styles will introduce many of the most popular types of necklace chain styles on the market as well as some common variations. Bookmark this page as a great reference when you are shopping for jewelry chain! Scroll to the bottom of the article to download our great infographic.
Types of chain styles covered:
Soldered vs. unsoldered styles
Open Chain Link Styles
Belcher & Rolo - Belchers are chains that are made from uniform round or oval links made from low dome or flat stock wire. Rollo (Rolo sometimes) chains are made from half-round wire. The resulting chain is heavier than cable and looks like it has been assembled from strips of metal instead of wires
Box - A typical box jewelry chain is made up of folded over flat, square links. They interlink tightly resembling a smooth, square box.
- Half Round - the half-round box chain has slightly rounded links.
- Round - this box chain has links that are round.
Cable - Cable jewelry chains consist of uniform round or oval links of wire that are connected to form a chain. Cables are the most simple and commonly used jewelry chain. Cables are frequently altered by flattening the links, texturing the metal surface or drawing/elongating the links. Double cables use two links side by side for each chain link position. Flat cable chains have the links hammered flat, instead of being of round wire.
- Figure-8 - This starts out as a cable chain but then the alternating links are twisted or "curbed" into a figure-8 or infinity shape.
- Double Link - Cables with separate double links in each position instead of a single round wire link.
Curb - Curb chains are oval cables where each chain link has been twisted or "curbed" so the entire chain length lies flat against the body. Look for variations of the curb chain such as twisted and marquise styles too.
- Parallel - A common variation of the curb jewelry chain is the parallel curb where two links side by side are used in each link position.
Fancy Wire Link Styles - Many fancy variations are possible by machining differently shaped link components. These styles are called "fancy" or "fantasy" variations of cables. These chains may use heart, infinity, flower or other shaped machine-made links instead of rounds or ovals.
- Fancy Sheet Link Styles - These chains are hand or machine made by assembling stamped sheet links in shapes such as flowers, petals or geometrics. These stampings may have additional variation effects such as textures or curbing.
Foxtail - The foxtail type of chain is made with a woven v-shaped pattern of wire. You can make loose foxtail chain or tightly woven ones as shown above. This chain looks similar to Spiga or wheat chain, but the construction is different.
Korean Style (a.k.a. Popcorn Chain) - this is a bendable, fairly dainty jewelry chain made up of lightweight, hollow, interconnected links that are machine-made and assembled.
SHOP KOREAN/POPCORN STYLE CHAIN >>
Link & Connector - A pattern of alternating round or oval wire links connected by straps of a flat, wide strip. Link & connector styles are usually larger, fashion chains.
SHOP LINK & CONNECTOR CHAIN >>
Long and Short - As the name suggests this is a broad category of chain styles consisting of links of differing lengths to create an appealing design. Long & short styles are usually a short, repeating pattern of links with a fairly uniform width but differing lengths.
- Figaro - A popular variation of the long & short, figaros are patterns of three short links followed by one long link nearly equal to the length of the three short lengths. Figaros are usually made from thicker gauge wire than many other chains so they are heavier weight styles. The links are curbed.
Margarita - The sparkly, constantly changing look on a margarita chain is created by using a diamond cut, twisted curb or a cable chain.
Marine - This jewelry chain type was popularized by the Gucci brand and is often referred to as a Gucci chain. However, the name use is restricted due to trademark laws so jewelers are advised to call the chain marine or anchor chain instead. Marine chain is manufactured using round wire that then goes through complex, multi-step machining to create large oval links, cut bar segments, insert and then solder the bars in the center of each large oval link. Finally, the chain is flattened or hammered.
Rombo - Rombo link styles are "fancy" or "fantasy" variations of cables. These chains typically use diamond or "rombo" shaped, machine-made links instead of rounds or ovals.
Rope - This type of chain is a braided rope assembly of open-wire links so named because the braiding is similar to that used to create fiber ropes or twine.
- French Rope - a variation on the rope chain that creates a spiraling effect in the finished braid. This chain is not made in France. Rumor has it that the tool & die maker who invented the braid had the last name, French. Not sure if that is just industry lore or the actual truth.
- Spiga or Wheat - another common variation of the rope style, wheat (or spiga in Italian) jewelry chains exhibit a wheat-like v-pattern of links when viewed from the side. Wheat links are typically thicker than the fine links used in standard ropes or French ropes.
- Singapore - A twisted, lightweight rope chain variation.
Saturn or Satellite - Also known as Rosary Chain. A saturn chain is made using standard links with equally spaced accent beads along the chain. The accent beads and links can vary, so there is a variety of these chain styles available.
Solid Chain Styles
Ball or Bead - A ball in socket assembly of spherical metal beads and wire connectors that when joined create a flexible length of bead chain. Sometimes called a dog tag chain because this type of neck chain is commonly used for military dog tag identification necklaces.
Bar - As the name suggests, bar chains are made from bar-shaped links connected by small oval jump ring connectors. Bars can be straight, curved or even shaped like chevrons, marquise... etc.
- Scalloped - Resembling a scallop., these links are curved and separated by smaller chain links.
Herringbone - A flat chain made from a double cable that has been "swaged" or drawn through a flat condensing die. The resulting chain is smooth and solid in appearance with a mirror surface. Herringbones are not flexible and can easily kink.
Mesh - this flexible chain is woven tightly together using very fine wire.
Omega - A stiff, solid chain made from metal sheet strip spiraled around a box chain core, omegas are known to hold their collar shape. Omegas are solid and shiny in appearance with no open links. Omegas can kink if not properly handled.
Sequin - This jewelry chain style is made up of larger round or elongated blanks separated by smaller connecting links.
S-Link - Similar to herringbone, this is a chain made of s-shaped links that are interconnected. S-links are slightly more flexible than herringbones but still prone to kinks.
Snake - A type of tubular chain made from assembled curved plates. Snake chains are highly flexible and have a solid appearance instead of open links.
Chain Link Variations
Most open link chain styles can be altered with one or more of the following techniques to make pleasing design changes.
Dapped - Dapping can either curve a metal link or leave a single hammer strike mark that reflects light. Both effects can be used for design purposes.
Diamond-Cut - Chain links can be diamond cut in various patterns with precision tools. Diamond cuts create angled facets with precise edges. This alteration creates the shiniest, light-catching facets possible on a metal surface.
Drawn/Elongated - Round or oval machine links can be stretched or "drawn" to elongate the chain. Drawing a chain can change its overall appearance and also make it narrower. This style is often popularized as paperclip chain.
Flash - This process hammers the chain to catch the light rather than using diamond cuts.
Flat - Wire links can be flatted to create more surface area to reflect light. Flat chain links appear to be more bright and shiny.
Hammered - Hammering the surface of the links creates a multi-faceted reflective surface texture.
Knurled or Textured - Knurling is a common texturing that gives links a hatch mark surface texture that brinks down reflectiveness and also forms an excellent foundation for oxidizing in relief. Many other surface textures can be applied ranging from simple line textures to more complicated pattern imprints.
Oxidized - The style shown above has also been oxidized or antiqued to darkens the silver and heighten the visibility of the textured surface relief.
Swedged or Swaged - A swage chain has been drawn through a die to decrease the diameter and condense the links of the chain. Swaging can significantly alter the chain style. For example, herringbone and serpentine chains start out as double cable or curb chains that are re-shaped through swaging.
Twisted or Curbed - Twisting or curling links are called curbing and can vary the look of jewelry chains. The curb chain is most obviously curbed cables. However, you can twist other styles as well for added effect.
Soldered vs. Unsoldered Chain Styles
It is important to note that most precious metal chain links are soldered together.
- Soldering closes the links so that gaps cannot form and cause chain breakage. Some other metals, such as copper cannot be easily soldered.
- Unsoldered chains made from these metals should be used with care. Make sure links are substantial enough to handle typical wear and pendant weight without stretching.
Numbering Convention
United States
Many cables and curbs produced domestically use a numbering system that gives a rough indication of chain size. The first two digits refer to the thickness of the chain wire in thousandths of an inch. The second two digits indicate the number of links of the chain per inch.
Halstead
At Halstead, we prefix our chain with a metals code: 1 for base metals, 2 for sterling, 3 for gold filled and 4 for copper. So a 21018 chain would be a sterling chain using .010" (30 gauge) wire that is 18 links per inch. This numbering system is only used with some chain styles.
Note: Please keep in mind that machine chain production can alter the gauge and link count due to normal drawing during manufacturing. So, these numbers should just be considered rough indicators.
Check out our guide to necklace lengths! Watch the video below and read the blog
Check out these other great articles:
Types Of Jewelry Clasps & Closures
Check out these chain buying tips from Metalsmith Society and Melissa Muir.
At Halstead, we stock a variety of types of jewelry chain styles in bulk by the foot in both sterling silver and gold-filled. Check out our footage and finished chain sections online, where you will be able to find many of these chain-link styles.
Got questions? Email us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you. Sorry, studio support is not available by phone. Emails only, please.
Questions & Answers
Q: What is your most popular chain style for men? - Henry
A: Hi Henry, Our most popular chain for men are the large, heavy curb styles that we carry.
Q: Where are your chains manufactured? - JoAnn
A: Thanks for the inquiry, JoAnn. Our chain products are manufactured at numerous locations in the US and abroad. If you are interested in a particular chain you can click on the image on our website which will take you to the item detail page. There you can find Nation of Origin, weight, finish, material…etc. I hope that helps!
Q: Hi, I recently started getting back into jewelry and have been buying .999 silver items rather than the .925…. then I stubbed in Mexico silver now it’s up to taxco silver I’m bidding on with a lot of competion. What is the better one? I feel like I’m learning of a better stamp than the last, although I do feel the weight as we go on down the line, gets heavier. - Angela
A: Hi Angela, I’m not quite sure what your question is so I’ll attempt to cover each description. .999 is pure silver and very soft. .925 is sterling silver with 92.5% being silver and 7.5% comprised of metal alloys (usually copper), Mexican silver is usually 95% silver and 5% copper, however, you must find the mark that will tell you the silver content used in each piece. There is an alpaca mark that contains no silver at all and is often stamped on Mexican pieces. As of the mid-1940’s Taxco silver is now stamped as 92.5% silver with a metal alloy as the other 7.5% (just like sterling silver) but you must be sure to buy from a reputable source or you could end up with alpaca silver instead of Mexican or Taxco silver. I hope this helped. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Q: I am wanting a gold “plated” chain that will not fade or tarnish, what would you recommend to be the best “per-say” metal & gold/gold type coating be? Ty! - Laura
A: Hi Laura. I would use gold-filled rather than gold-plated. It will last much longer than gold-plated and is very durable and hard to tarnish. I recommend reading our blog post: Gold-Filled vs. Gold-Plated Jewelry for more information. Hope that helps!
