Buying a new gold chain can be exciting for so many reasons. Maybe it’s a gift for someone special or even a gift to yourself as a reward! Either way, it can be fun. But with the numerous types of gold chains available, how do you know which one is the best for you?
There are many styles, weights, lengths making it hard to choose. Some people choose strictly for style and fashion, others choose based on needs or wants. But most people buy gold chains for showing off that swag.
Width & Length of a Gold Chain
To add on to what style or type of gold chain, there is the additional task of figuring out the length and width you are looking for. The common sizing for the width of a chain is usually between 1mm and 21 mm but can be bigger as a custom piece of jewelry. For length, you’ll commonly find chains anywhere between 18” and 30 inches.
Popular Types of Chains in Rochester, NY
Cuban Link Chain
Type – Cuban Link/ Miami Cuban Link
Characteristics – oval-shaped links with a thicker look
Strength/Durability – strong and durable
Pendants/Standalone – Depends on the size
Fun Facts – Evolved from hip-hop in the ’70s, was a hot trend in Miami and everywhere today, commonly encrusted with bling
Rope Chain
Type – Rope Chain
Characteristics – twisted rope design, can be thin and delicate or super chunky
Strength/Durability – among the strongest most durable, said to last a lifetime
Pendants/Standalone – can be worn with or without a pendant
Fun Facts – The “dookie” chain is a chunky rope chain and became popular in the ’80s by Slick Rick and Rakim. Shinier due to twisting can stretch over time
Franco Chain
Type – Franco Chain
Characteristics – v-shaped link tight together making it look thicker
Strength/Durability – strong and durable
Pendants/Standalone – Looks great with pendants
Fun Facts – among the most popular types of chain styles
Figaro Chain
Type – Figaro Chain (three-one link or Italian chain)
Characteristics – 3 circle links, then 1 long oval link
Strength/Durability – very sturdy for everyday wear
Pendants/Standalone – can be worn alone or with a pendant
Fun Facts – Always popular, originated in Italy, gets its name from the popular Italian opera, The Marriage of Figaro, when it needs to be fixed, an entire set of links must be added to avoid messing up the pattern.
Curb-Link Chain
Type – Curb Link
Characteristics – squared or beveled links, has a flatter surface, thick and heavy
Strength/Durability – Sturdy, extremely durable, easy to care for
Pendants/Standalone – great as a standalone chain
Fun Facts – commonly confused with a Cuban link, perfect for adding bling, larger links and can be heavy
Ball Chain
Type – Bead/Ball/Dog Tag Chain
Characteristics – sphere or bead-shaped links with equally sized spacers
Strength/Durability – Not as sturdy and can break easily
Pendants/Standalone – Good for pendants
Fun Facts – most used for dog tags, has a simple popular style, beads are usually 1mm – 2mm in size, but can be bigger
Herringbone Chain
Type – Herringbone Chain
Characteristics – flat, v-shaped links fit tightly, giving it a fluid design
Strength/Durability – Can get kinks and bend, will eventually break.
Pendants/Standalone – commonly worn without a pendant, great standalone piece
Fun Facts – Great for etching or engraving, a famous style of King Tut, if it needs fixing, becomes more prone to breaking again
Mariner-Link Chain
Type – Mariner/Anchor/Rambo Link
Characteristics – Oval links with a middle bar or in larger links only has holes for using smaller connecting links on each side
Strength/Durability – among the strongest most durable
Pendants/Standalone – Can be worn with pendants or alone
Fun Facts – meant to resemble anchor chains, can also be puffy like and studded which is a modernized style
Rolo Chain
Type – Belcher/Rolo Chain
Characteristics – oval interlocking links alternating
Strength/Durability – durable and sturdy
Pendants/Standalone – one of the most popular chains to wear with a pendant
Fun Facts – smaller sizes are popular with women, and chunkier with men looks like an actual iron chain
Box Chain
Type – Box Chain
Characteristics – interlocking square links, looks like a box
Strength/Durability – sturdy for everyday wear, does not break easily
Pendants/Standalone – often worn with pendants
Fun Facts – thin are popular with woman, a common size for women vary from .5mm to 1.5mm
Singapore Chain
Type – Singapore Chain
Characteristics – curb style links that have been twisted
Strength/Durability – strong and durable regardless of size
Pendants/Standalone – Popularly worn with pendants
Fun Facts – Classic and intricate braided design
Snake Chain
Type – Snake Chain
Characteristics – rings instead of links fit closely together creating a narrow tube-like design
Strength/Durability – Delicate, don’t tangle or get caught in hair easy
Pendants/Standalone – great for adding pendants
Fun Facts – has a fluid-like design making it like snakeskin
Wheat Chain
Type – Wheat/Spiga Chain
Characteristics – 4 strands of twisted oval links that are woven together into one
Strength/Durability – durable and sturdy, semi-rigid
Pendants/Standalone – good for pendants or standalone
Fun Facts – looks like the tip of wheat, strands change directions and do not go in one single direction
Gucci Link Chain
Type – Gucci Chain
Characteristics – rounded or oval like links with the thicker middle bar
Strength/Durability – strong and durable
Pendants/Standalone – smaller links are great with pendants
Fun Facts – commonly mistaken for mariner types of chains
Moon-Cut Ball Chain
Type – “Moon Cut” Link
Characteristics – sphere or bead-shaped links with a diamond-cut, with equally sized spacers
Strength/Durability – Not as sturdy and can break easily
Pendants/Standalone – can be worn with a pendant or alone
Fun Facts – diamond-cut allows for maximum shine
Byzantine Chain
Type – Byzantine Chain
Characteristics – can be oval or round links that are used in pairs, with a vertical pair joined by a horizontal pair to a vertical pair.
Strength/Durability – Sturdy and durable
Pendants/Standalone – can be worn as a standalone chain
Fun Facts – has ancient origin dating back to 5th century, intricate and flexible
Cable Link Chain
Type – Cable Chain
Characteristics – oval or round links in an interlocking pattern, join at 90-degree angles
Strength/Durability – Can be sturdy and reliable, but if not made correctly will come apart at joint
Pendants/Standalone – commonly worn with pendants
Fun Facts – looks like board ship chains (a ships anchor chain that is connected to the ship)
Which Types of Chains Are Best for You?
Now that you know about the different types of chains, and how to tell them apart…now is the time to decide which is best for you! If you’re looking for an everyday chain to wear, you’ll want a smaller link chain that is sturdy and durable.
Some people can be tough on their jewelry, so make sure it is strong enough for your activity level. If you are looking for that perfect gold chain to go with a new pendant, be sure to pick a chain that will either complement the pendant or let the pendant be the showcase piece.
Wearing a V-neck tee? Make sure your chain is longer or shorter than the V or it will get lost in the neckline. Wearing a turtleneck shirt or scarf in the Winter? Go for a longer chunkier chain to make sure it stands out! Gifting can be difficult, especially if you don’t know what the person likes.
Standard go-to would be a mid-length chain that is simple. Think Figaro or rope chains! You may have never put this much thought into buying a gold chain in Rochester, NY, but there are so many options to think about. Whichever types of chains you choose, you will surely show off your style!