Gold chains are universal jewelry, because they can be worn constantly without removing them from the neck. Gold is a stable metal that is not susceptible to chemical elements or external factors. And it is equally suitable for both men and women, emphasizing the neck and highlighting a person’s wealth. One of the most interesting types of chains is the Python weave.
Weaving "Python" in gold design
How did the Python technique come about?
A popular weaving option that suits everyone is Bismarck. Initially, this weaving method was popular among men, but then it turned out that it harmonizes perfectly with a woman’s neck. The chain was named after Otto von Bismarck because the first Chancellor of the German Empire preferred to wear such a chain. Another name for such chains is “Kaiser” or “Cardinal”.
Bismarck has varieties:
- "Python" ("American", "Cardinal");
- semi-volumetric - the thickness of the link is slightly greater than the width;
- triple - three turns in a spiral, instead of two turns in the classical technique;
- flat - the chain link has a double spiral curl;
- "Arab Bismarck";
- "Royal Bismarck".
These subspecies are more elaborate and original than the Bismarck, and therefore deserve more attention and explanation of the execution technique. The Python weaving technique, for example, is considered the most durable of all types of weaving. This is the most popular weave of the Bismarck subspecies, but in fact there are more than twenty of them. They can be combined during the weaving process. It all depends on the imagination of the jeweler who makes the jewelry for you.
The technique for making such a chain is complex, so weaving is done by hand, which adds value to the decoration. It is impossible to produce such a chain using machine technology or stamping. Therefore, there are few chains in stores; they are often ordered individually from jewelers.
Bracelet with Python weave
The chain is assembled by hand by chain makers. When choosing a specialist, pay attention to his past work. Only if he performs the techniques meticulously, then you can entrust him with the production, since the Python technique is very painstaking, and the slightest mistake will lead to disruption of the integrity of the entire chain. The Python chain seems solid, but if you look closely, you realize that it consists of many intertwined rings.
First, gold is used in the form of wire. It is wound on a special apparatus and cut into identical parts - future links. The jeweler, using tools, gives the links the desired shape and ties them into a chain. These processes are called spiral winding and sawing. And then the links are sealed together and hold on for many years.
The main trick and uniqueness of knitting is that the links consist of several rings. The rings on the chain can be multidirectional and participate in fancy knitting. Therefore, a lot depends on the skill of the specialist. The minimum weight of a custom product is six grams. You won't be able to spend less gold on such a chain.
Python weave in silver
Chain weaving technology
The production of jewelry today implies an automated approach - CNC machines have been “taught” to create even tiny elements of jewelry. The chains that come out of such a conveyor are called stamped or stamped chains. They are miniature, and the thickness of the links starts from 0.2 mm, and can be thinner. However, the proven technology has one significant drawback - the products turn out identical, without pretense to aesthetics.
When beauty is more important, chain makers are involved in the work - specialized jewelers who work with mini-pliers under a magnifying glass. It is they who create the very ligature that is highly valued by future buyers. Automation here only helps to cut the wire into the required number of pieces, the rest is manual labor, which includes twisting, soldering and additional processing of the edges before final pressing.
Hollow and solid chains
If you take a hollow chain in one hand and a full-weight one in the other, you will immediately understand the difference - the first, for all its volume, will be much lighter than the second. If you look at a hollow chain in cross-section, it will look like a tube because it has voids in the middle. The full weight chain is completely cast from metal.
A hollow chain will look more massive and larger than a full-weight one, and its price will be lower. However, such a product is easier to bend or deform, so it requires careful care - take it off at night, do not wear it during sports activities, and protect it in every possible way from physical impact.
The full weight chain is durable. It will not bend, and will withstand even heavy pendants with dignity (but: here you need to take into account the weight ratio of the chain and pendant). However, due to the weight, you will have to pay more for such a product.
The most durable chain weave made of silver and gold
In the first case, almost all the work is done by machines. The so-called workpiece is fed into the machine. It is a wire made of precious material: gold, silver, platinum, etc. The machine cuts the workpiece into small pieces and wraps it into the required shape. Next, these rings are soldered on a soldering or welding machine into endless shiny threads, which are then measured depending on the required size. After this procedure, the master attaches the fasteners. At the end, the stage of cleaning the products from various oils and all the dirt that has collected in the machine is carried out. Sometimes the chain is coated with additional compounds (varnish, rhodium, gold or something else). The next stage is checking the product in the Quality Control Department (technical control department), where the chain is weighed and its connection is checked. At the final stage, a tag is attached to beauty.
The strength of a chain directly depends on the reliability of each individual link. Sometimes they say that the more a chain weighs, the more reliable it is in operation.
Previously, machine chains were considered less reliable. They could easily be torn and lost. But today the craftsmanship of the machines has increased so much that this beauty is almost in no way inferior to jewelry made by masters. The disadvantage of machine jewelry is that they are all standard. These chains do not have a unique design. But due to this nuance, the price of the products is relatively low.
Hand knitting is considered the strongest type of chain weaving.
If we talk about semi-automatic knitting, then part of the work is done by the master, and part by the machine. The line between this type of production and completely manual production is very blurred.
The semi-automatic method is called stamping. These chains are much cheaper in cost. However, experienced people try to buy such products only as a last resort, since it is believed that stamping is less reliable and durable: the elements are easily twisted and deformed.
Characteristics and rules for choosing jewelry with Python weaving
Gold chains are universal jewelry, because they can be worn constantly without removing them from the neck. Gold is a stable metal that is not susceptible to chemical elements or external factors. And it is equally suitable for both men and women, emphasizing the neck and highlighting a person’s wealth. One of the most interesting types of chains is the Python weave.
Weaving "Python" in gold design
Which chain weave is the strongest: gold and silver, men's and women's?
Chains are one of the most popular types of jewelry today. They are worn as independent products or complemented with various pendants, pendants, and religious attributes.
Today, a huge number of types of chain weaving have been invented. They can be openwork, simple, with stones and without any inserts, brutal for men, and also very thin and delicate for women.
But before buying, many people wonder how to choose the most reliable weaving. After all, usually a gold or silver chain is bought for more than one year, and you want it to last longer. Today we will figure out what is the most durable gold chain weave for women and men, what is best to buy for many years, and which products can be worn only on occasion.
Principles for selecting jewelry chains
There are several dozen types of weaving jewelry chains, and the number of designer, fantasy options is growing every year. However, before getting acquainted with all this variety, it is important to understand the basic principles of selecting chains for different genders and ages.
If a chain is chosen for a child, then the weaving should be durable, for example, “anchor”, with an optimal length, small thickness and discreet design.
Original and already catchy in weaving models, for example, “snail”, “nonna”, “lav” of medium thickness and short length, about 45 cm, are perfect for young, bright and stylish girls.
For girls who prefer a business-like, minimalist style of clothing, thin, neat chains of “snake”, “perlina”, “anchor” weaving with large, rectangular shaped links are perfect.
Yes, Bismarck in a larger interpretation is also good for men. This weaving is universal, classic, but it will also be countered by such men’s jewelry weavings as a large rectangular “anchor”, double “diamond”, “Byzantine”, “shell” and others.
Main types of weaving
Chopard weaving
very similar to the “anchor” one, but the shape of the links in it is always round. Chains of this weave were introduced by the fashion house Chopard, hence the name.
Weaving "Singapore"
It has a complex spiral structure and is popular due to its ability to shimmer in the sun in an extraordinary way. The peculiarity of the weave is that its links are slightly curved, hence the twisted appearance.
Weaving "Byzantium"
quite voluminous, consisting of links of the same type, twisted into patterns. Chains of such weaving have the shape of a square, oval or circle. It is used in the manufacture of massive bracelets and chains, mainly hand-knitted.
Tips for choosing jewelry with Python weave
At the beginning of its existence, even before Bismarck, chains of such weaving were worn by women. They were thinner and longer. But over time, they began to be shortened, and the links became thick, which men liked. In the nineties, every businessman had a Python chain. Now there is another round of fashion for these jewelry.
Many people are attracted by the versatility of such gold chains. After all, how to use them depends on the configuration and appearance. The thick chain, suitable for men, can be worn by itself. A pendant or cross will not fit with them. These accessories are only applicable to thin chains of Python weave. If the decoration is not massive, you can choose a pendant to go with it.
Remember that the size of the pendant should be in harmony with the size of the chain. On thick jewelry, small pendants will be lost, and vice versa, a massive jewelry will pull back on a thin chain. If possible, try on a pendant with a Python chain right in the store and look at the combination.
If you want to purchase a set consisting of a Python chain and a bracelet, remember that they must be made of the same metal, with the same coating and thickness. The chain can be coated with either rhodium or gold of a different standard. It all depends on your financial capabilities. The decoration can be made from any alloy. Even 999 gold is suitable for making a chain because it is soft and the metal will twist easily. Additionally, since the chain is so tight, there is little risk of sterling gold becoming deformed.
The cost of jewelry is influenced by: the complexity of the work, the weight and standard of the metal. To reduce the price a little, you can order a hollow chain. From the outside it will look like the others, but the weight will differ from the full chain. Don't forget that hollow chains are more expensive to repair, and the links break faster, which requires replacement of the link, since they cannot be soldered.
What metal should I choose for the chain?
What is more important in choosing a chain, the metal from which it will be made, or the weaving itself?!
Probably, it’s all about the metal and how the chain was made: with the help of a “machine” or by human hands.
Of course, any metal is suitable for any gender, age, but still, there are small points in the choice of material.
When purchasing a chain for a child, it is better to choose silver jewelry. Often, due to the child’s hyper-reactivity, the chains are offensively broken. But this gap is the same for both gold and silver. However, their prices are not the same. In addition, children grow very quickly, and their tastes and preferences also change quickly - very soon they will want to choose the length of the decoration and its shades for themselves.
