Silver chains have been one of the most important pieces of jewelry for millennia. Such jewelry is popular among both male and female population. Thick or thin pieces of silver are worn around the neck, wrist, leg, and even on the stomach. Often a cross, an amulet, a pendant, pendants with precious or semi-precious stones are put on silver chains.
What makes silver chains different?
Conventionally, such jewelry is divided into women's and men's. These products differ mainly only in size and weaving method:
- Refined. They are suitable mainly for women.
- Thick silver chains are mostly chosen by men.
Also, products differ in the way they are made. There are three main types:
- machine;
- manual;
- cast.
Handmade weaving method
This is the oldest and most commonhow to make silver chains Jewelers knit such products by hand from silver wire. In addition to the fact that each master himself can develop all kinds of options for weaving and connecting links, there are also classic ways of weaving silver chains for men and women, which are common and recognizable all over the world, for example, "Brook", "Bismarck", "Python", "Arab", "Malvina", anchor chain weaving and many others. Chains made of handmade 925 sterling silver are considered the heaviest among other types, since there are no voids in the wire, it is completely filled with silver. However, on the other hand, such products are also considered the most durable, most practical and very reliable. They do not cling to clothing and are able to last for many years.
Machine knitting
This method of making silver chains appeared relatively recently, initially in Europe, and a little later in our country. In this case, high-tech machines do all the work for a person. Stamped chains are made from ready-made links (the so-called stamps), which are not soldered, but threaded into each other. Such products are distinguished by a large selection of weaves, light weight and thickness. It is very rare to find thick decorations among stamping. As a rule, such chains weigh no more than 10 g, since they are less reliable and durable, and often break. Most popular: Snake, Nona, Harness, Perlina, Singapore, etc.
Injection chains
Such products are made by casting finished parts with a repeating pattern. Later, the master processes them and connects them into a chain. Not many make such silver ones, since the manufacturing process is quite complicated. In addition, such products have a fairly large weight. Among the most popular silver cast chains are "Rocco-Baroque". Such jewelry can be not only for men. You can also find quite feminine weaves that can become a necklace for a girl.
Let's consider the most popular types of hand-woven silver chains.
Types of weaving
There are 3 basic types of chain weaving:
- "Bismarck";
- "Anchor";
- "Papace".
Bismarck Silver Chain
Such chains have gained particular popularity and prevalence among business men, although they are sometimes worn by women. This is one of the most beautiful and at the same time quite complex weaving, where spiral links are intertwined in several rows. The weave is dense, so the products look massive. There are several options for weaving silver chains:
- Bismarck is flat. Such weaving is different in that the thickness of the chain is almost 2 times less than its width. Additional name - Creek. Today it is one of the most sought-after and popular techniques for weaving silver chains. It is used to make both women's and men's jewelry. Weaving is differentroundness and intricacy of the pattern. Products can have a thickness of 0.3, 0.4 and 0.6 cm. To create more massiveness, jewelers widely use double brook weaving.
- Semi-volume "Bismarck". Here, the thickness of each link is slightly greater than or equal to the width of the product. The cross section of such a chain has an irregular oval. In some variants there are round elements. Such chains are called depending on their number: double or triple rings.
- "Python" (other names are "American", "Pharaoh", "Cardinal", "Caprice", etc.). Weaving has an elegant and beautiful twist, so this option is used mainly in women's silver chains.
- "Royal Bismarck". This is a rather complex weaving that changes the direction of round paired links. Among the Bismarcks, this version is the most voluminous.
- "Fox Tail" (or "Herringbone"). A variation of the "Royal Bismarck". The links in this version are directed in one direction.
Anchor chain
This is the classic and simplest type of twist, in which repeating oval links are attached to each other perpendicularly. That is why the products look voluminous, regardless of thickness. Despite their simplicity, anchor chains look very solid.
There are several types of weaving silver chains:
- "Sea Anchor". From classicanchors differ in that there is a jumper in the middle of the oval links.
- "Rollo" ("Belzer" or "Chopard"). Round links.
- "Double Anchor". It differs in that 2 rings are threaded into each subsequent link. Such chains look voluminous.
- Venetian weaving. Depending on the number of rectangular or square links assembled into a block, the chains are double, triple, etc.
There are many other options. For those who love original jewelry, jewelers make the "Anchor Combined" chain, which combines two sizes of links - elongated and small standard ones. "Anchor" is the most suitable option for those who prefer heavy silver items.
Carapace weaving
This is one of the basic types, on the basis of which a large number of other options are based. In this weave, small elements located inside large ones are in the same plane. Weaving can be single, double or triple, depending on the number of links included in one another. Externally, the chains are similar to chain mail and are highly durable.
Main subspecies of such weaving:
"Nonna" (or "Italian"). This is a popular women's weave. The links are enclosed inside the big ones. Due to the diamond face applied on both sides, the products shimmer brightly in the sun
"Figaro" ("Cartier"). Oval and round links alternate in different combinations. The classic version is 3+1 (that is, after three round rings there is one oval)
Chain "Rose"
"Rose" is a type of women's weaving. The chain is openwork and magnificent. The links collected in bundles resemble a rose. Such weaving is the most difficult to manufacture, so the cost of products is higher than that of others. Silver chains are reliable - the rings in them are connected to each other by at least 3 points.
Chain "Nut"
In this weaving, openwork (filigree) rings are connected into "nuts", which are connected by shiny and smooth rings. "Nut" is an airy, feminine and romantic silver chain. Most often it is made of 925 white silver.
Chain "Malvina"
Weaving is similar to "Nut", but weighs less and looks more elongated. It is also a feminine and subtle chain, made primarily of 925 sterling silver.
In addition to the listed handmade chains, you can find many others, among which:
- "Abinata";
- "Arab Bismarck";
- "Breeze";
- "Belzer";
- "Eight";
- "Cleopatra";
- "Cartier";
- "Fox Tail";
- "Kolos", etc.
As for molded products, they do not have universal names. Each manufacturer gives their chains their own names.
Today you can buy a men's chain (925 sterling silver) or a women's chain in anyjewelry store. Products differ in price, quality and manufacturer.
Men's and women's chains by type of weaving
In general, silver chains (photos are attached to this article) are a universal decoration, therefore both women and men wear almost all types of weaving.
The division of such products into women's and men's according to the type of weaving is conditional. Moreover, modern fashion generally erases all the conventions of the border. But still it is worth noting that typically male chains are distinguished by a more voluminous, massive weaving with links of geometric shapes. Such products can be safely attributed to wide armored chains, Bismarck, Byzantine weaving, Rombo.
The characteristic varieties of weaving women's chains are distinguished by lightness, delicacy and a certain grace. The female half of the population prefers weaving "Nonna", "Love", "Singapore", "Python".
Many chains with various types of weaving are often perceived as both masculine and feminine. It all depends on the thickness of the jewelry, the type of metal, the shape of the links and the processing features (for example, diamond cut, which has sparkling edges, characterizes more women's products). In addition, much depends on the taste and own image of the future owner, as well as the effect that needs to be created. For example, only a chain with "masculine" features can best emphasize the femininity and fragility of its owner.
Simple classic anchor pieces are considered unisex. For children, it is better to choose light single-link or two-link anchors.chains.
When choosing jewelry for yourself, you should focus primarily on your own taste and how the product will be worn - alone or in combination with other accessories.
