Precious metal chains are perhaps the most popular jewelry for both men and women. The most valuable are chains of gold of various colors - red, yellow, white. White gold chains are the most in demand in the jewelry market today, as they do not look defiant and go well with other accessories and jewelry, including all kinds of pendants and pectoral crosses.
Chain making methods
Without exception, jewelry chains, including gold chains, are made by craftsmen using several basic technologies:
- machine knitting;
- hand weaving;
- stamping;
- casting.
Machine knitting chains are the most affordable, since manual labor is used minimally in their manufacture, and the weight of such chains is significantly lower than that of products mademanually.
Manual production of chains is the most expensive, but with its help the most interesting and beautiful weaves are realized. The weight of finished chains is significantly higher than that of machine-made chains, while at the same time their strength and quality are higher.
Stamped white gold chains can be very diverse, as they are assembled from ready-made links of different shapes obtained on special equipment. Stamped chains look heavy on the outside, but they are actually light and the links are easily damaged or deformed.
Cast chains - a separate category of chains, the links for the assembly of which are cast in special molds. Such chains have an impressive weight and a very original design.
There are also hollow chains, popularly referred to as inflated ones, since there are voids inside the volumetric links. The manufacturing technology makes it possible to create such chains of sufficient volume with a minimum real weight, making it possible to provide an affordable cost for jewelry. However, if a link in such a chain is damaged, it will be very difficult to repair it.
Quite often after assembly, the chain is subjected to additional processing to give the decoration an extra charm. One of the methods of such processing is diamond cutting. The technology consists in applying diamond facets to the chain links by chamfering them. The more such faces, the stronger the chain will shine and play in the sun.
Also often the chains after assembly are knocked together on special presses, which allows you to get a completely new look of the chain of the traditionalweave, enhance its density and rigidity.
White gold chains are additionally coated with a special composition - rhodium. This treatment allows you to achieve maximum brilliance and noble whiteness of the precious metal without a yellowish tint.
Basic types of weaving
Despite the huge range of different white gold chains in jewelry stores, there are only three main types of weaving.
The most common is anchor weaving, which got its name by analogy with the chain of a sea anchor. White gold chains of anchor weaving are quite common, both in the traditional version with oval links, and in the round one, which is called "rollo". Anchor chains are popular with world-famous jewelry houses such as Chopard and Van Cliff.
The curb weaving allows you to create flat chains of white gold, which, depending on the execution, are popular among both men and women. Such weaving allows you to create dense chains, similar to chain mail. Varieties of curb weaving chains are “rhombus”, “nonna”, “figaro”.
Bismarck is the most popular braid, especially among men. The weave got its name from the name of the invincible German chancellor. Among jewelers, the chain is also known under the names "kaiser" and "cardinal". Bismarck weaving is one of the most difficult and is made entirely by hand.
Separately distinguish fantasy chains that are difficult to attribute to any typeweaving. Such chains, as a rule, are independent decorations and often resemble a necklace. They are rarely made exclusively from white gold, more often precious metals of several colors are combined.
In jewelry boutiques, you can often find cast gold chains, such as "coffee bean" or "baraka".
Women's white gold chains
Chains for women differ from men's in tenderness, lightness and grace. Among young beauties, weaving "lavas" is popular, the links of which resemble hearts. Chains like "nonna", "python", "Singapore" are also popular among girls.
Some types of weaving are suitable for both sexes, depending on the thickness and weight of the jewelry, the shape of the links. At the same time, diamond edges are more typical for women's chains, while blackening and hammering are more typical for men's.
The division of chains into women's and men's is very conditional, and more depends on personal taste and style. Sometimes rather rough and thick chains of the male type on the thin necks of delicate girls look perfect.
Men's white gold chains
As a rule, the representatives of the stronger sex choose for themselves massive chains of volumetric weaving. It can be various variations of armored chains and Bismarck. Figaro weaving is considered no less popular among men, the popularity of which was brought by the Cartier jewelry house. Such men's white gold chains look elegant and noble, adding charmand sophistication to its owner.
Also, men's weaving can be called "Byzantine", consisting of many rings with a multidirectional arrangement.
Which jewelry to pair with
White gold chains are quite easy to combine with other jewelry. On such a chain, pendants both from exclusively white metal and from a combination of gold of various colors will look great. Women's white gold chains are especially well combined with diamond pendants. By the way, diamonds are mainly set in a setting made of white precious material, so this chain will look great in combination with studs and a ring encrusted with the most expensive precious stone.
Additional charm to a chain of white gold will give a bracelet to it in a set of similar material. Ideally, if it is the same type of weaving, but you can play with the thickness of the decoration.
How to choose a chain
Choosing a chain is a responsible matter, because jewelry is purchased for more than one year and costs a lot of money. In this case, not only weaving is important, but also the length of the product, as well as the parameters of the buyer's figure. The chain should not only decorate, but also emphasize the dignity of its owner or owner. If you plan to wear a pendant on the chain, then the owners of a wide neck should choose a large pendant, place it on a thin, but long enough chain to visually stretchimage. A combination of several chains of various lengths arranged in several rows also looks great on full ladies.
Girls with thin swan necks can afford short chains under the neck, similar to men's. This option is optimal for active and young women. Short chains are suitable for outfits of all styles. For evening dresses with a deep neckline, however, such jewelry is not suitable; for wearing with evening dresses, it is better to opt for elongated chains. Before buying, it is important to try on the chain and carefully study in the reflection of the mirror how it looks on you.
What determines the cost
The price of a white gold chain is influenced by many factors, the main ones being:
- sample jewelry;
- manufacturing technology;
- weight;
- complexity of weaving;
- product length.
The quality of the chain is of paramount importance. The decoration must be stamped with the state sample. On the territory of Russia and the countries of the post-Soviet space, the official samples of white gold are 585 and 750. In Europe, the same samples are marked as 14K and 18K. In many countries, the production of gold jewelry is not regulated by the state, and craftsmen independently set a test for products, which often does not correspond to reality.
A too low value white gold chain should certainly arouse suspicion. In conditions of limitedbudget, you can pay attention to hollow chains, but such jewelry should be worn with extreme care so as not to damage the links.
Caring for white gold chains
In the process of constant wear, the chain can quickly lose its original appearance and luster. In braided chains, both sebum and cosmetic residues quickly accumulate.
White gold chains require special care due to the surface rhodium plating, which will be removed by any mechanical abrasion.
An excellent option would be to have the chain cleaned by a master jeweler, as he, in addition to direct cleaning, will be able to additionally polish the product and, if necessary, re-plating the rhodium. Cleaning at jewelers is carried out using ultrasound and hot steam, so the mechanical impact on the jewelry is minimal.
White gold chains are incredibly beautiful and elegant jewelry, which you can choose for every taste and budget, and combine with a large number of jewelry.