It is not difficult to understand why the Bismarck chain is so attractive to so many men: silver is a noble metal, valued throughout time.
Its majestic radiance fascinates and forces a person indifferent to accessories to slow down, or even stop at a jewelry store. Against the background of the charm of platinum and the usual expression of gold, the inner cold radiance of silver is felt especially deeply by a person. Silver as a metal for making jewelry is highly valued by jewelers. They work with it with great enthusiasm, and there will be no problems for those who want a unique silver chain design, unlike any of those sold in jewelry stores.
Bismarck weaving is a seasoned but stylish way to show yourself as a self-sufficient, courageous person who knows a lot about beautiful things. The Bismarck chain, known as the Kaiser or Cardinal, has been familiar to connoisseurs for a long time, but it gained widespread recognition in the late 1980s at the peak of fashion for large status symbols, including Bismarck silver chains (weighing both 100 grams and 150 grams). The chain of impressive size was a man's delight due to its brutal beauty.
Since those years, fashion has undergone noticeable changes: a thick massive chain seems bad manners and is almost never worn, but the worthy reputation of the Bismarck chain has remained and been consolidated. Russians are very willing to buy Bismarck chains, due to their significant strength and laconic, recognizable style.
This weave is used by jewelers to create both men's and women's jewelry. Jewelry of this silver chain is made more for men, but a thin version of the Bismarck silver chain will undoubtedly decorate a graceful neck and emphasize the uniqueness of a woman.
What types of Bismarck neck chains are there?
Products, although created within the strict style, may differ in the following:
- Diamond cutting;
- Rhodium plated;
- An additional row of links that “transforms” a Bismarck into a Garibaldi.
The size table looks like this:
- 40;
- 45;
- 50;
- 55;
- 60;
- 65;
- 70;
- 75;
- 80.
Jewelry craftsmen have no restrictions on metals - white, yellow and red 585 gold, as well as silver, are equally in demand. Each option suits a special occasion or the individual style of the owner.
What is Bismarck weaving?
Bismarck weaving is labor-intensive, but effective - the links consist of several multidirectional rings and are firmly connected to each other. The Bismarck twisting technique has been used by jewelers for a long time - time-tested, it has proven its reliability. Jewelry can be made by machine knitting or by hand (handmade, of course, is more highly valued). Jewelers say that a high-quality chain woven using this technology will easily withstand half a century of regular wear.
Bismarck gold and silver chains have many advantages:
- durable, rarely torn;
- the design is attractive and recognizable;
- many varieties of twisting;
- versatility - Vitier Bismarck is chosen by both women and men.
Chains woven in this style are in demand among people who value the combination of beauty and practicality. The links can be woven tightly, with minimal gaps between each other, or they can be planted at a certain distance, forming a loose but reliable weave.
- Most often, to create chains of this knitting, gold or silver wire with a thickness of 0.3-1.4 mm is used.
- In the 90s, this technique was used primarily for men's jewelry. At that time, chains in this style weighed tens of grams - it was believed that the more massive the chain, the higher the wealth and status of its owner.
How to choose a Bismarck chain?
There are no unambiguous rules; each of the tips is purely advisory in nature:
- Red gold is considered a universal option, white is more suitable for naturally dark or tanned skin, yellow - for special occasions.
- Thick weaving means wearing it without any pendants, but a massive pendant or a large Orthodox cross goes well with it.
- A length of 75 cm or more allows the chain to be worn over clothing, or the owner is a tall, broad-shouldered man with an athletic build. The smallest size offered by manufacturers, 40 cm, corresponds to the standard collar circumference of a T-shirt or sports pullover.
- When buying a silver product, do not forget that it will require constant, ideally daily, care and cleaning with special products.
The best addition to the Bismarck chain is a chain-knitting bracelet for the left or right hand, made using the same weaving technique.
Bismarck chains: silver, weave shape
Products with this type of weaving are usually made by the hands of a jeweler, which gives them a special charm compared to factory-made products. A silver chain or silver bracelet comes in many varieties. In this case, you can see dense, round, flat links. The links in such weaving contain multidirectional elements intertwined in a single ensemble. Each chain is manufactured using the same technology; differences in the results depend on the final processing of the metal. Jewelry weighing at least 4 g is made from silver.
Making chains is not a difficult task for an experienced jeweler. First, he makes a spiral from silver using an electrical device or by hand. The resulting figure is cut into links. Each link is formed from two turns of this spiral. Soldering of the product begins as soon as all the links are assembled.
After the silver chain is soldered, it is cleaned, straightened and cut out. It is this final stage that determines what kind of weaving the silver chain or Bismarck bracelet will have. During sawing, the master can give the links different shapes. The most common forms of Bismarck:
- oval (the corresponding shape of the links gives the chain volume and fullness);
- Moscow (the links are more elegant and not so dense);
- Arabic (the links are strongly intertwined like an oriental ornament).
The last stage of manufacturing is calculating the length of the chain and installing the fastener. The men's chain has a length from 50 to 75 cm.
When a connoisseur of silver jewelry is familiar with the key technologies for creating it, it is not difficult for him to assess the quality of the master’s work by the appearance of the finished chain. The size of each link must be the same. As a test, place the silver bracelet on a hard, flat surface: the product should lie flat, without unnecessary lifting or bending. The presence of twisted links, a faulty lock or other similar features indicates an error by the master jeweler (Fig. 3).
Advantages of purchasing from the Karatov online store
By visiting our website, you will find out how much a Bismarck chain costs, and the constantly expanding catalog will help you choose the optimal size and color of the jewelry, not to mention the advantages that open up to all customers:
- Regular promotions, holiday sales with discounts of up to 50% on absolutely the entire range, including exclusive series and jewelry sets.
- We work only with direct deliveries, thanks to which prices remain as affordable as possible even in the midst of the New Year holidays.
- A multi-stage expert check of each piece of jewelry for the absence of mechanical damage and defects before sending it to the buyer.
- Cumulative bonus system with the ability to pay with points up to 15% of each subsequent order,
- Pay for purchases in any convenient way - we accept instant payments and wire transfers through most banking applications.
regardless of its cost.
For each order over 5,000 rubles there is free delivery throughout Russia.
Bismarck: suitable for everyone or not?
This jewelry weaving is rightfully considered universal, because thanks to various knitting techniques you can choose the right product for completely different people. Chains of this knitting are chosen by men and women, representatives of different professions, people with different styles of clothing. Theoretically, Bismarck chains can be worn by everyone, but in practice they do not look appropriate on everyone.
- Massive gold chains look inappropriate on young girls - with such jewelry the girl looks older. But on middle-aged and older women, voluminous jewelry looks impressive.
- Jewelry of this type is not suitable for lovers of small, elegant pendants. With a voluminous jewelry chain, you should wear pendants that are appropriate in size (the optimal weight ratio of pendant to chain is 1:2) or not wear them at all.
- Guys with a thin build should be careful when choosing a Bismarck chain - a chain that is too thick will look strange, give preference to products of medium thickness.
Bismarck weaving accounts for the lion's share of chains made all over the world. Such production volumes are justified by the highest demand - Bismarck jewelry is reliable and durable, looks attractive and is liked by almost everyone.
Advantages and disadvantages
Bismarck weaving symbolized reliability and rigor, precision and conciseness of lines. Similar massive accessories were worn in the 90s of the last century. “New Russians” considered rough chains an indicator of weight in society and status. A massive product weighing 100 grams or more emphasized the masculinity and tough character of the owner. Now the products are also popular among men, but have lost their criminal connotations. Characteristic advantages:
- Presentable appearance. The indicator was the main criterion for the popularity of a product among businessmen of the 90s. To add rigor to the look, a massive chain weighing more than 100 grams was used. The Bismarck weaving technology met such requirements.
- Reliable fastening of links. More often, chains are made by hand, which becomes the key to the strength of the finished product.
- Various types of weaving. Choose from openwork, square, angular, double, triple or royal “Bismarck”. It is advised to buy a simple flat chain or go for “Glamour” jewelry, decorated with mini-pearls.
- Fixation on the wrist. The weave adheres to the body and does not slip during movement.
- Duration of operation. Special equipment has elevated Bismarck chains to the rank of the most reliable, so the service life of the models reaches up to 50 years.
- Made from high-grade gold or silver. The decoration does not oxidize upon contact with the skin and does not leave green streaks.
- Harmonious combination with pendants. It is recommended to choose a pendant that is twice as light as the chain to avoid overloading the look. Both Christian crosses and Slavic amulets are suitable for this type of weaving.
Against the background of a number of advantages, disadvantages are noted. Bismarck weaving is not used in the manufacture of budget jewelry, so if you have limited funds you will not be able to purchase a massive chain. Young girls should be careful when choosing such a bracelet, which can overload the image.
Types of weaves
Today there are 15 methods, each of them has its own name and unique features. It is worth dwelling on the most popular types of Bismarck weaving:
- Brook. The round links are woven as if flowing into each other. Chains made using this technique are massive, but their weight is light. Material consumption is low, so the products have an affordable price.
- Python. New technology that is now in great demand. Performed manually. Chains made using this method are also called “American”, “whim”, “pharaoh”. Ideal for business style attire.
- Cardinal. This technique can only be mastered by top-class craftsmen - double or triple weaving from links of different shapes, tightly connected to each other using hand soldering. The resulting products are of impressive volume and are used primarily by men.
- Byzantium. This method creates exquisite, unique, custom-made jewelry. Weaving is done by hand, craftsmen create unique patterns. Pendants and pendants are not recommended for chains made using this technique.
- Moscow. Weaving made in this way has a perfectly smooth surface, since the ends of the links are filed and sealed. At the end of manufacturing, the product is carefully leveled, all roughness is removed.
- Round bismarck. The round links are intertwined, giving a large volume to the finished product. Jewelry is heavy and is purchased mainly by men. This method is also called royal or imperial.
- Arabian Bismarck. The weaving got its name due to the fact that the finished decoration resembles Arabic script. Weaving is done in two or more rows, the antennae of the links are soldered on top in 4 places.
- Fox's tail. Round-shaped chains are woven from oval, round and square links. Such products shimmer while walking.
Examples of the most interesting models
Over the past decades, skilled craftsmen have produced a huge number of Bismarck chains in a wide variety of designs. Among them there are handmade and machine-knitted items, which are united by the reliability of weaving and durability. The most interesting models include:
- Figaro. It is considered the most durable and original, as it harmoniously combines all elements. Such unusual patterns and combinations are created using round and oblong or short and long links.
- Rhombus. It has an unusual appearance. They are versatile and perfect for both men and women. The diamond-shaped links are neatly connected to each other.
- Snake. Characterized by a clear combination of lines and integrity. Ideal for business style, as it looks very elegant with classic suits.
- Anchor. It can have round or oval links, giving the product versatility and making any image as memorable as possible.
- Ear. Makes products unique and irresistible. Well protects chains from fractures and entanglement. The appearance is very stylish and modern.
- Tourniquet. There are models of different lengths and widths. Thick pieces are preferably worn by people of strong stature, while women prefer thin models.
- Singapore. The slightly curved links allow for the production of eye-catching jewelery that shines amazingly when exposed to the sun's rays.
- Corda. It has a unique connection of links, thanks to which stepped or wavy products are obtained, smoothly turning into a plait. Due to their bulk and heavy weight, they are preferably worn by men.
- Bird's eye. Reminds me of the squinted pupil of a predatory animal. Such jewelry is often worn as talismans. In addition, they are original jewelry.
- Love. Romantic products in the shape of delicate hearts, distinguished by accuracy and sophistication. They can be worn alone or in combination with pendants or crosses.
- Rose. Links formed from a spiral create very beautiful and stylish jewelry. They will perfectly complement a woman's look and will surprise you with their durability.
- Snail. Stylish weave that looks like paper clips, and the links themselves look like a snail's shell.
- Rope. Quite complex models that are created manually or using ultra-modern equipment. The appearance is very elegant and luxurious, due to which the image becomes bright and complete.
- Scythe. It is formed using three chains of one or more types of weaving, as well as the colors of the material.
The main advantages of Bismarck chains are considered to be a variety of types of weaving, a solid appearance, strength, versatility and the ability to be combined with other elements. Such jewelry has excellent resistance to tearing, since the links in them are made using a special, improved technology. For many years, they have been considered classics of jewelry, so they are suitable for almost everyone who wants to add some zest to their image and make it more original. The boundless imagination and professional skill of jewelers contribute to the creation of unique and stylish chains for every taste.
The stylish Bismarck chain is a chic gift for family and friends. Such a gift will become a kind of sign of care and attention, and will also add individuality to the image. Stylists claim that such a detail can serve not just as a decorative decoration, but also become a real attribute for the stronger sex and the fairer half of society.
History of origin
"Bismarck" is a dense, strong and reliable chain of complex weaving. Looking at it, one can assume that it was intended primarily for representatives of the monarchy, since it has a rather vintage look. However, the history of weaving goes back less than a century. The name comes from the name of the German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, who was distinguished by his strong character and incredible self-confidence, just as Bismarck weaving is reliable and wear-resistant. In the middle of the 20th century, chains and bracelets of this design appeared in Italy under the name Garibaldi, but very soon they became popular throughout the world and acquired more and more new names: “Kaiser”, “Cardinal”, and others.
Weaving gained particular popularity in the 90s in the vastness of the former USSR as a decoration for crime bosses, whose chains weighed 300-400 grams.
Gradually, such products began to be made thinner and a wider segment of the population could afford such “trinkets.”
Differences in weaving types for men and women
Jewelry lovers have formed an opinion about the purely masculine purpose of Bismarck chains. However, this statement is not entirely correct. A variety of weaving techniques and methods of connecting links allows you to create light and openwork jewelry specifically designed for the fair sex.
Men
The right type of decoration emphasizes the status of the owner, so when choosing, preference is given to classic products with discreet lines. Bismarck weaving chains ideally match the image of a successful man, the following varieties are especially characteristic:
- “Cardinal” is distinguished by the complexity of its weaving, increased strength and aristocracy. It is made from square, round or oval links in several rows. Special shine is achieved by using diamond cutting.
- Moscow "Bismarck" is a massive product with a smooth surface and impeccable lines.
- Round – characterized by an impressive size, ideal for athletic guys.
They recommend that overweight men opt for shortened massive chains. If you have a thin build, buy several thin accessories of medium length.
Women
Bismarck weaving is an independent decoration without the use of additional elements, so girls pay attention to jewelry of this type. The “fox tail” technique is represented by links of various shapes, so the result is a voluminous and durable decoration with an intricate pattern. The chain of “lavas” with heart segments has a romantic overtone.