Gold jewelry, and especially chains, have always been popular among men and women. After all, the chain will be an excellent addition to the image, emphasizing a certain style and status. A gold product can be worn as an independent decoration, or you can add a beautiful pendant to it. The chain can be an excellent accessory for both everyday and festive wardrobe. In any case, it emphasizes individuality and makes the image of its owner interesting. It is no coincidence that both women and men approach the choice of chain with special care. From time immemorial, it was believed that gold products can give their owner energy and strength.
A little history
Gold chains became an independent decoration in the second half of the twentieth century. In the process of weaving chains, jewelers began to use various golds: white, red, yellow. Each jeweler put his own idea and meaning into the design of the links.
Making a chain is a rather painstaking task; it consists of several stages: first, the master melts this soft metal, then pulls it into a thin thread, which is later cut and twisted. And only after doing this work, you can begin to manually fasten each link. Thus, the most unique products were created. Today, specialized machines are widely used in jewelry production. However, handmade products continue to be in great demand.
Main criterion
One of the important characteristics when choosing jewelry is the weaving technique. Among them there are more popular and less in demand. The chain consists of a number of links connected to each other in various ways.
There are weaving patterns suitable exclusively for men or women, for young or older people, and there are universal types. Thus, for the stronger sex, chains are made with greater mass, which means they are stronger and more reliable. What types of gold chains are suitable for lovely ladies? Of course, lighter, more elegant, created from links of complex configurations.
Anchor and armored
Today there is no single classification of weaving gold chains. But according to the type of links in the decoration, chains are traditionally divided into three main categories:
- armored - the links of the chains are located relative to each other in the same plane;
- anchor - simple coupling of links located in perpendicular planes;
- with links - balls.
Anchor weaving is the most common fastening of chain links. Jewelry of this type is quite simple, but very durable and reliable, so it will be an excellent addition to both everyday and formal wear. Anchor weaving will probably never go out of style.
Armor weaving is no less popular among jewelry lovers; it is very strong and durable. Firstly, a chain of this type of weaving fits well to the skin and does not cause discomfort when worn, and secondly, the decoration looks great on clothes.
The ball links are a rather fragile weave, they look great due to the diamond cut, you need to be careful when wearing a product of this type.
How to choose decoration
Approach the choice of jewelry consciously, considering that it is not just decoration, it is an investment. When choosing a chain, such as Italian weave, think about what you will wear it with. Take into account the significant weight of the chain - even a short and thin decoration 40 cm long, “under the neck”, will weigh more than 10 grams, and long versions will weigh from 20 or more.
A young girl with fragile shapes should not choose such weaving, or she should prefer the thinnest version of the chain to emphasize the beauty of her neck. Older ladies can purchase a chain up to the neckline.
“Italian” will look great in combination with evening dresses - without additional decorations it can enliven a simple black dress with a closed neckline or, conversely, an open one with thin straps. The difference will be in the length and volume of the product.
Thick chains should not be worn for everyday wear. In any case, they are gold. If you can’t resist the temptation, buy a thin “Italian” made of gold or silver jewelry. It also looks aesthetically pleasing, but costs several times less.
Men will go for massive chains and wide options for jewelry. Gold or silver - depends on the preferences of the owner. The fashion for thick chains has passed, but a chain can emphasize the masculinity of a representative of the stronger sex, his affiliation with social circles, financial well-being and wealth, depending on fashionable looks.
Pay attention to the lock when purchasing. Considering the large weight of the product, it is better to choose a chain with a carabiner lock. If you place an order with a master, specify this immediately.
Gold should always shine, and it is better to entrust the professional care of “status” jewelry to a professional, but it is not difficult to maintain the beauty of a gold item at home.
- Soak the chain in warm soapy water for a few minutes. If the contamination is strong, add a couple of drops of ammonia. Then rinse under running water and dry. Never listen to advice to clean gold with tooth powder and a brush - it will leave micro-scratches on the metal.
- Plaque from precious metals is removed by placing the chain for a couple of minutes in a soda solution (50 g of soda per liter of water), to which finely grated potatoes are added.
- Olive oil will save a silver chain from darkening - wipe the product with a soft flannel cloth soaked in it.
The chain, which was called “Italian”, will make you look at jewelry differently - now you won’t want to have something like everyone else. It will emphasize your individuality and give significance not only in the eyes of others, but also in your own. And you are guaranteed the attention of men, eyes riveted to your neckline.
Absolutely every chain or bracelet made of precious metal has its own execution technique. This can affect not only its appearance, but also its weight, cost, and ease of use.
Jewelry with “Italian” weave is distinguished by its majestic appearance and suits absolutely every look. Many jewelers point out that an alternative to such weaving is the Bismarck technique.
An “Italian” bracelet or chain has a structure of several links, this increases the weight of the jewelry and also visually creates volume. It must be admitted that such massive jewelry has a price that differs from the average.
As a rule, Italian weave jewelry is made from:
Gold remains the most popular option; it is especially often bought as a gift, because the products are durable and expensive. Brass is used least often in manufacturing, but also has a number of advantages:
- strength;
- original appearance;
- low cost.
This technique is performed both manually and mechanically. In production, precious metal wire is used.
The work is painstaking, time-consuming and requires increased attention. That is why a chain or bracelet made by a craftsman with his own hands costs an order of magnitude higher than usual.
Mechanics make the task easier, however, it is worth paying proper attention to such decoration to ensure that the links are in good working order.
When making an expensive purchase, you should always pay attention to the quality of jewelry. You can notice the flaws yourself, the main thing is to follow the basic rules when choosing:
- The type of jewelry should indicate its durability.
- The color of the precious metal should be uniform.
- The surface of the decoration should not have scratches, chips, or flaws.
When choosing a precious metal, it is worth considering some features. Gold is not subject to corrosion, so the jewelry will always look the same as when purchased and give off its characteristic shine.
Many people prefer silver, however, it has the tendency to oxidize, turn black and become covered with a film due to contact with air and water. Therefore, you will have to carefully ensure that your chain or bracelet looks decent. Brass is not a precious metal, but it is also not susceptible to corrosion, and its price is attractive and economical.
Combined and fantasy
Weaving patterns can also be divided into:
- combined - the chain consists of links, different forms of weaving (shell and anchor);
- fantasy - a combination of links of complicated configurations, a combination of round, oval, square shapes.
As jewelry craftsmanship develops, more and more new types are created on the basis of the main types of weaving, which combine different textures and new patterns for connecting links. Such jewelry is amazingly beautiful, unusual and will satisfy even the most demanding taste.
Italian chain
Separately, I would like to dwell on such a chain as “Italian”; the weaving of this decoration can be made either by machine or by hand, in any case it will be as reliable as possible. Jewelry is usually expensive, but its quality and long service life are worth the money.
What is so interesting about “Italian”? Weaving is voluminous and quite universal, as it is suitable for people of any age and gender. However, an “Italian” chain will add courage and strength to the appearance of a man, its owner, and mystery and attractiveness to a woman. The chains look very impressive, making the decoration suitable for both casual and formal wear. What is interesting about this weaving? It consists of many small elements, which provide the chain with a voluminous appearance. However, despite the volume, this type of weaving gives the product airiness and originality. Lovers of the extraordinary will certainly choose from the many options an “Italian” chain.
Weaving features
The “Italian” chain stands out from others in volume - it looks massive no matter how thick the wire is used for weaving. The handmade chain looks especially beautiful - it is openwork and delicate, and even looks elegant on a woman’s neck. Men often choose it instead of the heavy Bismarck.
For an “Italian” chain, round links are taken, connected in several rows. The appearance of the weaving can be described in this way: two side rows of links are intertwined with each other, and the central one is needed so that they do not diverge. In this case, the upper link is threaded through the free space of the outer rings.
Depending on the method by which the links are made, weaving is distinguished:
- Machine. Automatic production allows you to obtain a finished chain. The links compressed with the help of staples form the walls of adjacent rings.
- Stamping. Link rings are made on a special machine, which the jeweler checks manually. They are then placed under a press to solder adjacent links.
- Handmade. First, the craftsman needs to make a thin thread, which is subsequently cut into pieces equal to the circumference of the link. The ends are soldered together, you get a lot of rings. After polishing each link by hand, the craftsman weaves the chain.
The work of a jeweler is very labor-intensive, but this method allows you to get a perfectly smooth, thin and openwork chain. The difference from the machine method is that the finished product comes out of the chain knitting machine - all that remains is to measure the required length and install the lock. Handmade work requires time, special care and the skill of a master jeweler, which is why it costs more.
In “Italian” hand weaving there are no thickenings at the places where the links connect to each other - the craftsman cannot squeeze them too much to get even edges.
So different and beautiful
The fairly well-known Bismarck weave, due to its massiveness, gives the product a solid and impressive appearance. Usually in demand among men.
Serpentine chains look very interesting. They look somewhat more massive than the “Italian” ones; the chain weave is wide and flat. The links soldered together look like writhing lines adjacent to each other.
It is worth noting the chain called “figaro”. Quite an interesting look, like the “Italian” one, but the weaving, unlike the first type, is simple, consisting of elongated and round links alternating with each other. Looks great both with pendants and as an independent decoration.
The “stream” chain (like the beloved “Italian”) is especially popular among women; this weaving looks expensive and impressive.
Very interesting are the chains of such weavings as “pigtail”, “spike”, “snail”, “nonna”, “snake”, “bird’s eye” and many, many others. Therefore, choosing jewelry is not an easy, but very exciting and interesting process!
Fox's tail
Floor:
male
Weaving strength:
strong
Difficulty of work:
medium difficulty
Fox tail (Byzantine or royal weave) is used to make massive thick gold chains. This weaving method involves using ring links of the same type and size. Thanks to the fancy connection, such a chain shimmers very beautifully under the sun's rays. Neck jewelry made with fox tail weaving is also particularly dense and durable, chic in appearance and exquisitely beautiful. Such chains are preferred mainly by men. Fox tail looks great in any gold color, which is why many people choose it.
