Charts and Reference

Jewelry Chain Styles

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	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.
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
Foxtail		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.	Brazillian, Caprice
Wheat		Infinity-shaped links interconnected into a braided look.	Espiga, Spiga