Untangle any confusion over chains. We show you 34 styles of chain, how each looks, a description and an alternate name for the chain.
Style
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Looks Like
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What It Is
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Also Called
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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
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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. |
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Beading
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An extremely thin chain specifically designed for stringing beads. Generally found in a cable or snake chain style. |
Add-a-Bead |
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. |
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Box
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Cube-like links linked directly together. |
Square Link, Venetian, Book |
Byzantine
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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
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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
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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
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Specially shaped links connected by smaller jump rings. Some possible shapes include flowers, animals, stars and more. |
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Figaro
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A cable or curb chain with longer links connected by three to five shorter links. |
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Figure Eight
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Round or oval links connected by an infinity-shaped link. |
Infinity |
Foxtail
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Two rows of oval links at a 45-degree angle and connected by small flat rings at the center. |
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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. |
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Herringbone
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Rows of V-shaped links that lay flat. Each new row is placed in the opposite direction of the previous, creating the herringbone pattern. |
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Infinity Link
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Flat infinity links connected with unsoldered jump rings. Excellent for creating chainmaille-style jewelry. |
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Interlocking
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Large and small round links joined with small round links. Smaller link almost appears to be floating inside the large link. |
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Lantern
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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. |
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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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Marquis shaped links that interlock at 90-degree angles. |
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Mesh
|
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Wire woven or knitted to the desired length. |
Knitted, Viking Knit |
Omega
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Wide plates crimped onto an underlying mesh or plates. Usually wide and flat with low flexibility. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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
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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. |
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Serpentine
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S-shaped links joined end to end. |
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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. |
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Snake
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Round and curved bands are tightly joined together. |
Brazillian, Caprice |
Wheat |
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Infinity-shaped links interconnected into a braided look. |
Espiga, Spiga |