Chain types
In the following list we present almost all types of necklaces. There are, of course, many different types of chains, so we'll only describe the most common ones, but you'll be able to recognise any of them even if they are slightly different from the ones shown below.
Cable Chain
Slightly oval, with rounded grain, easily bent chain. Perfectly suited for pendants when the right thickness is chosen.
Cable Chain Inlayed
Slightly oval, rounded, with a centrally linked chain of grains. Suitable for pendants, if the thickness is right, but also beautiful on its own.
Bismarch chain (Duble Cable Chain)
Two oval round eye cable chains soldered together side by side. Can be worn alone as a necklace or as a bracelet.
Beaded Cable Chain
Slightly oval, round eyelet cable chain decorated with small spheres. Can be worn alone, not suitable for pendants.
Round Link Chain (Round Link Curb Chain)
Round eye, cable type chain. Can be worn alone, thinner models are suitable for pendants.
Flattened Cable Chain (Flat Link Cable Chain)
Slightly oval, round eye cable chain. The links are flattened. Perfectly suited for pendants when the correct thickness is chosen.
Drawn Cable Chain
Stretched, oval cable chain with eye. Suitable for pendants when the correct thickness is selected.
Barleycorn Chain
An interlocking chain imitating barley grains. It is not as flexible as normal mesh chains, so it is better worn alone.
Baraka Chain
Interesting fantasy eye chain. It was first made by a company called Baraka, hence the name. It can only be worn on its own as a necklace or bracelet.
Ball Chain (Bead Chain, Pelline Chain)
Traditional berry chain. It bends well and is perfect for pendants if the right thickness is chosen. Available in custom lengths and a variety of colours.
C Link Chain
Slightly flattened chain with interlocking "C" shaped stitches. Medium bend, can be worn alone as a necklace. As it does not bend well in the direction of the leaf, it is less suitable as a bracelet.
Scroll Chain (Snail Chain)
A chain of snail-shaped eyes, recommended to be worn alone. It bends easily when the eyes are fitted, but the links are slightly larger than standard link sizes.
Double Link Chain (Parallel Chain)
A double-mesh chain made of cylindrical material, recommended to be worn alone. It bends easily and can be used as a necklace or bracelet.
Fancy Chain (Fancy Chain, Crinkle Chain, Fantasy Chain)
There are many different shapes and designs of chains that do not fall into the general chain categories. The picture is just one example of many. Such chains usually look much better on their own than with a pendant. The flexibility of the chain depends on the shape. They can be necklaces, bracelets or anklets.
Figaro Chain
It is characterised by the alternating chain of two different stitches (one short and one long). The short stitches are similar to those used in the curb type chain, while the longer stitches are elongated versions of the short stitches. Suitable for necklaces or bracelets, but preferably worn alone.
Figaro 3+1 Chain
It is characterised by a chain of two different stitches (three short and one long). The short stitches are similar to those used in the curb type chain (relatively round, with a slightly flattened interlocking twist), while the longer stitches are elongated versions of the short stitches. Suitable for necklaces or bracelets, but preferably worn alone.
Valentino Chain
Its chain eyes are somewhat similar to those used in the curb type chain (relatively round, with a slightly flattened interlocking twist), but with every other eye reversing the direction of interlocking and joined by a stick in the middle of the eye. Suitable as a necklace or bracelet, but preferably worn alone.
Figarucci Chain
The figarucci chain is a combination of the figaro 3+1 chain and the Gucci eye chain. Suitable as a necklace or bracelet, but preferably worn on its own.
Filigree Chain
Unique chains of filigree stitches, with variations limited only by the imagination. Suitable as a necklace or bracelet, but preferably worn alone.
Braided Chain
An interesting type of chain, reminiscent of a braid. It is moderately flexible. Suitable as a necklace or bracelet, but thin models can also be used as an anklet or pendant necklace.
Spiga Chain (Wheat Chain, Espiga Chain)
A laced chain is similar to a braided chain, but the links are looped differently and the chain is stiffer than a braided chain. It is more suitable worn on its own as a necklace or bracelet.
Beaded Chain
Like the fantasy chain, they are made in many different forms, but these links are combined with some kind of bead. It is more suitable worn alone as a necklace or bracelet.
Coffee Bean Chain
As the name suggests, a chain of links resembling coffee beans. The beans are connected by smaller, round links. It is more suitable worn alone as a necklace or bracelet.
Bike Link Chain
Type of chain imitating a bicycle or motorcycle chain. As it only bends in the flat direction, this type can only be used as a bracelet (although it is rarely made into a necklace, but it looks rather odd).
Snake Chain
The snake chain is a cylindrical, very smooth, absolutely non- hooky type of necklace, perfect for pendants, but also on its own, and of course can be made into a bracelet or anklet.
Beaded Snake Chain
An unique version of the snake chain, which is decorated with tiny spheres at certain distances. It is recommended to be worn on its own as a necklace, bracelet or anklet.
Flattened Snake Chain
A flattened version of the snake chain. It is recommended to be worn alone as a necklace. As it does not bend well in the flat direction, it is not recommended as a bracelet or anklet.
Squared Snake Chain
Square (rectangular) section of the snake chain. It is usually more shiny than the round version because of its reflective properties. Because it bends well in all directions, it is a good choice for a pendant, but it is also recommended to wear alone. It can be a necklace, bracelet or anklet.
King Chain (Byzantine Chain, King’s Braid Chain)
The king chain is a popular model. The basic version consists of specially interlocking rings, which are slightly bent and flattened in different models to create different looks. Only the very thin models may be used for pendants, but it is best worn on its own as a necklace or bracelet.
Square King Chain
A square cross-section version of the king chain. It is not recommended for pendants, but only as a necklace or bracelet.
Flattened King Chain
Flattened version of the king chain. Medium bend, not recommended for pendants. As it bends well in all directions, it can be used as a necklace or bracelet.
Cobra Chain (Boston Link Chain, Crimpable Chain, Beading Chain)
From the outside, the whole chain is cylindrical in shape. The links are interlocked by turning 90 degrees one after the other. Medium bend, it is recommended as a necklace, but thinner models can be used as pendants to taste.
Ladder Chain (Hook Chain)
Somewhat resembling a rope ladder, it is a chain of interlocking round shapes with a double loop of stitches at the end. It can be used as a bracelet or necklace, but is not suitable for a pendant.
Marquise Chain
The eyes of the so-called marquise chain are oval, with almost square links at each end, more like a barley eye. A lightweight yet striking chain that can be used as a necklace, bracelet or even an anklet. Not suitable for pendants.
Milanese Chain (Mash Chain)
A type of chain imitating a densely interwoven fabric or mesh. Most commonly used as a bracelet, but also as a watch strap. It is not widely used as a necklace, although it is occasionally made into a necklace that fits tightly around the neck.
Peanut Chain (Crinkle Chain, Fancy Chain)
Unique chain type with peanut shaped grains. Rarely used. Rather, it can be worn on its own as a necklace or bracelet.
Mona Lisa Chain
A very striking unique necklace consisting of specially interlocking double links in such a way that on the outside there is a larger link and on the inside there is a similar looking, but much smaller, link similar to the link used in the curb chain type, fitting into the larger eye. It is suitable for necklaces or bracelets, but only to be worn alone, without a pendant.
Bar Link Chain
It is also a kind of fantasy chain, and there are many different versions of it. Usually, some links are connected by cylindrical or square cross-section rods. These chains can be worn alone as necklaces, bracelets or anklets.
Curb Chain
It is made up of approximately round, flattened and slightly interlocked identical links. They are made in many different designs, even with different patterns. Although the thinner ones are also suitable for pendants, they are most showy on their own. They can be made into necklaces or bracelets, or even anklets with the thinner ones. For bracelets, they are often combined with a patterned or plain-finished, engravable, curved headpiece.
Double Curb Chain
The double-mesh version of the curb chain. In this chain, the equal size stitches are aligned and linked in such a way that each stitch is linked to the next two at the same time. It can be made into a necklace or bracelet, or even an anklet with the thinner ones.
Saturn Chain (Beaded Curb Chain)
A special version of the curb chain. The simple curb chain is decorated with small spheres, but usually only thinner chains are produced in this design. It can be made into necklaces, bracelets or even anklets.
Singapore Chain (Twisted Curb Chain)
A twisted version of the curb chain. The common curb chain is twisted at equal distances during manufacture, creating an interesting effect. It can be made into a necklace bracelet or even an anklet. It bends quite well, for pendants you can use the thinner ones, but it's very much a matter of taste.
Beaded Singapore Chain
A twisted version of the curb chain that is decorated with small spheres at equal intervals. It can be made into a necklace bracelet or even an anklet. It bends well enough, but is not suitable for pendants because of the small spheres.
Panter Chain
A wide and flat chain type composed of many small oval eyes, best suited as a bracelet or watch bracelet.
Popcorn Chain
This type of chain is a hollow chain pressed from sheet metal, shaped like popcorn, with a cylindrical cross-section on the outside. It bends relatively well and is surprisingly light for its thickness. It is not recommended for pendants, but can be made into necklaces, bracelets or even anklets from the thinner ones.
Foxtail Chain
The interlocking of the links makes it an interesting type of chain with an approximately square cross-section, and the links show a different pattern when rotated 90 degrees. One side shows V-shaped eyes, and when rotated, a pattern reminiscent of a crub chain can be seen. They bend well in proportion. They are suitable for necklaces (the thinner ones even for pendants) or bracelets.
Belcher Chain (Rolo Chain)
A chain of uniform round meshes with a convex surface. The links are interlocked by a 90 degree turn. A frequently used chain type that bends very well and is recommended as a necklace for pendants or even on its own. It can also be worn as a bracelet in a simple design, but is often made in combination with various ornaments.
Rope Chain (Twisted Rope Chain, French Rope Chain)
This chain of approximately circular stitches, specially twisted one after the other, is connected so that one link is connected to several subsequent stitches at the same time. In this way the chain gives the appearance of a rope. It is usually recommended to wear it alone as a necklace or bracelet.
San Marco Chain
It is composed of internally flattened, outwardly convex, elongated rectangular grains with rounded ends, joined by needle shafts at an angle of about 45 degrees. This type of chain bends only in the flat direction and is therefore only suitable for bracelets.
Serpentine Chain (Nugget Chain, Tinsel Chain)
It consists of flat, interlocking, laid S-shaped eyes. It does not really bend in the flat direction, so it is best used as a necklace. It can also be paired with a pendant, but as it is a slightly stiff and flattened chain, it is more practical and showy when used on its own.
Twisted Serpentine Chain (Nugget Chain)
It consists of flat, interlocking, laid S-shaped stitches, like a serpentine chain, but twisted at every other stitch. The twist causes it to bend (although only moderately well) in all directions, so it can be used as a necklace, bracelet or anklet. It can also be paired with a pendant, but is more showy when used on its own.
Infinity Link Chain (Figure of 8 Chain)
The infinite chain is named after the twisted eye that represents the infinity symbol. Alternating between a slightly twisted larger oval eye and a smaller, more twisted eye. It can be made into a statement necklace or bracelet, but cannot be paired with pendants.
Venetian Chain (Box Chain, Book Chain, Square Link Chain, Briolett Chain)
Approximately square cross-section chain. The meshes are formed from flat material into square meshes, which are interlocked by a 90 degree turn at each mesh. It bends very well, perfect as a necklace with pendants, but can also be made into a bracelet or anklet.
Rounded Venetian Chain
A version very similar to the Venetian dice chain, but with rounded eyes and a nearly cylindrical cross-section. It bends very well and is a perfect choice for necklaces with pendants, but can also be made into bracelets or anklets.
Prince of Wales Chain
A chain, usually made up of cylindrical, oval stitches, where each link is connected to the next two links in a chain, with each link turning approximately 45 degrees. (This way, every eighth link is in the same position.) A pointer chain on its own, which can be used as a bracelet, or possibly as an anklet on thinner models.
Omega Chain
An omega chain is a flattened, pressed chain with the outer (top) side convex and the inner (bottom) side concave. There are those with parallel sides all the way round (the same width everywhere), and those that are wider in the middle at the front and thinner towards the back. These types are used exclusively as necklaces. They are not suitable for pendants.