Gold has always been an object of desire for all mankind. This precious metal is the most desired one when choosing jewelry. Chains are in great demand.
The use of modern technologies in the production of gold products has made it possible to produce chains of a wide variety of weaves and shapes. We will try to describe the most common examples of this art, since showing all the names seems to be an incredibly difficult task.
- This is important: Which chain weaves are the most reliable
All chains according to the manufacturing method can be divided into three groups:
- Self made
- Produced by automatic machines
- Hollow, so-called “blown”
Handmade
Bismarck
This weaving has gained wide popularity due to its ease of manufacture and at the same time great reliability. Also striking is the variety of sizes of the Bismarck.
The weight of handmade gold chains varies from 5 grams to 100 grams and above. Bismarcks can be “liquid” and dense, flat, rounded, round, with soldered plates. An important advantage of this weave is its versatility; it can be worn by both men and women.
- This is important: How to choose a Bismarck - what you should pay attention to
Italian or cardinal (python)
Weaving with this name is very widely represented on the gold jewelry market. Unlike the simple, even rough Bismarck, the cardinal looks more refined and gentle (photo). In this regard, it is considered more of a women's chain.
The weight options are also very extensive, from 5g and up. For men, there is a version of this weaving with springs at the connection of the links, it is heavier, starting from 40 g.
Armor weaving
This type is highly reliable and can serve for a very long time. Unique beauty is achieved through large links with large flat surfaces, which gives a unique mirror shine, especially on massive samples.
The disadvantage is a fairly rapid loss of shine, due to the fact that gold is a soft metal and scratches easily. Small ones can be worn by women, larger samples are intended for the male half.
Anchor weaving
A very beautiful weaving, quite modest in appearance, but popular because of its reliability and versatility. There are a large number of anchor size variations: from 3 g to almost any desired size. Often there are anchor chains made of gold, connected in 2, 3 and even 4 rows.
The common advantage of all handmade gold chains is their reliability and quality of workmanship. The disadvantage can be considered the high cost associated with the inability to make light-weight jewelry for a wide range of buyers.
Bismarck weave
Bismarck (Kaiser, Cardinal) is a chic category of products that look like an intricate pattern with a dense arrangement of elements. At first, this twist was developed for a male audience, but over time, women also appreciated it. In order to make the weave more refined, its links are not placed so tightly together. Bismarck has several versions:
- glamor;
- Arab;
- Moscow;
- stream;
- abinat.
Triple Bismarck is distinguished by an ornate interweaving of triple elements with connections in several places. To lighten such a respectable product and give it sophistication, the links are made not so massive, but this does not affect its strength.
Other types of Bismarck weaving
Fox tail (Boston, Byzantine, Royal) is used in chains that are quite massive and heavy-weight. This is a luxurious hand-woven type in which similar elements are intertwined to create an original pattern. Products with this subtype can have the shape of a square, oval or circle.
Python (Byzantium, American, Caprice). With such a special interweaving of original elements, the impression of a voluminous luxurious product is created. The interesting name was taken for a reason, because such a chain is very similar to the patterns on the skin of a python. The reliability and durability of jewelry with such twisting can become a decisive factor when choosing jewelry.
Persian is a subtype of Bismarck weaving, otherwise called chain mail weaving. There are two types: full and semi-Persian weaving. They differ in the density of the links and their direction. In full, the elements are in two rows and tilted in different directions. In the semi-Persian, the links are arranged in one row and at the same angle.
Turtle is a subtype with an extraordinary twist, the peculiarity of which is that a certain number of elements (often 4) are covered with a figured metal plate. This was the reason for such an interesting name, because each plate is like a turtle shell. This decoration looks strict and therefore goes very well with business suits.
Kolos is a type of twisting in which all the elements are located close to each other and directed in one direction. Chic products with this twist look voluminous and quite heavy. Perfectly complements the confident and status image of its owner.
Rope (Twist) is a combination of elements in which tightly spaced links create the illusion of a twisted rope. Thin chains of such weaving from afar look like a continuous sparkling thread. Perfect for both respectable men and elegant women.
Machine knitting
On sale you can find a huge number of types of names of small machine knitted chains. The use of modern automatic machines has made it possible to produce less massive products that were previously produced by hand (Bismarck, cardinal, anchor), which made them generally available. Here are examples of the most common weaves, their photos and names.
Arab
This weaving is beautiful and quite reliable. It is possible to manufacture such chains manually.
Rope
Weaving in which individual gold wires are twisted into a rope is another name.
Nona
A very common name where the eights are connected by oval links. Visually they look massive, with little weight.
Rombo
Consists of oval links intertwined with each other. The specimen in the photo resembles a shell.
Singapore
Delicate weaving similar to rope, but thinner and airier. They can be very small, less than a gram of gold, like the sample shown in the photo.
Tonda (snack)
A high-quality chain, reminiscent of a snake, which is why its second name is associated, is very practical. There is a variety of tonda with balls.
Figaro
The flat chain is quite large, which adds to its reliability.
Forza
The weave looks like anchor weaving, but consists of round links.
Love
The heart-shaped links are the reason for the name.
Rose
Each part is like a separate rosebud.
Scythe
Interweaving several individual flat braids into one, as seen in the photo.
Gold chain weight
It would seem that the weight of a gold chain directly depends on its size. But it's not that simple. There is such a thing as full-weight and hollow chains. From the name you already guessed that hollow chains are made of links that are hollow inside. This allows you to get jewelry of impressive size, light weight and, accordingly, having a lower cost than a full-weight (solid) analogue.
Full weight chains have more weight and cost and are more resistant to damage.
Hollow
Unlike other methods of producing chains that use wire, this method uses a hollow tube. The technology is quite complex, but well developed, making it possible to obtain products of various shapes and sizes.
The advantage of such jewelry is that, despite their small mass, they visually look massive and luxurious. The main disadvantage is that it is almost completely unsuitable for repair in case of damage. It is often an impossible task to clean the chain at home, as contaminants penetrate inside.
In today's rapidly changing world, it is not so important how long the purchased item will last. You can always go and exchange a boring or damaged chain for another, new one. However, if you want gold jewelry to serve for many years, it is better to give preference to handmade in your choice.
Rules of care
It is easy to care for rhodium-plated silver items; they do not darken and retain their original appearance for a long time. Neck accessories made of gold or silver become tarnished by sweat, skin care products, contact with detergents, and salt water. To maintain aesthetic and decorative properties, they are cleaned. This is done at home, using a reliable folk recipe , or taken to a jewelry workshop.
Without proper care, a stylish chain with Rollo weave will quickly lose its attractiveness and delightful shine. neck jewelry at home
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Which chain weave is the strongest?
Now that you have learned the different types of chain weaving, the question arises, which weave is the strongest and most reliable?
- It is worth noting that the simpler the shape of the links, the more reliable the chain. Even if damaged, it will be easier to repair. Ornate links of complex shape are often less durable and require careful wearing.
- In terms of strength, the leaders are the “Bismarck” and “Nonna” weaves, which have links of a simple shape, securely fastened together.
- The strength of the weaving is information that should be taken into account in order to treat your jewelry correctly, and when choosing a chain, still be guided by your own taste and the attractiveness of the product specifically for you.
Manufacturing and weaving methods
With the advancement of technology, automation has come to almost every industry. Jewelry is no exception, and if earlier the products were assembled by hand, today this process is performed by machines. There are, of course, jewelry stores where the products are assembled directly by the craftsman, but such products cost many times more.
There are several ways to weave chains:
- hand weaving;
- machine knitting;
- stamping.
Each method has its own nuances, pros and cons, so they cannot be applied to any type of weaving chains made of gold and other metals.
Handmade chains are considered the most reliable. Of course, this only applies to those products that were created by an experienced specialist. For example, the correct selection of the diameter of the tool for leveling the shape of the ring and the thickness of the wire determine whether the chain links will break or bend poorly. Such defects cannot be corrected.
Hand weaving is used in small workshops and large factories with mass production. Chains weighing from six grams are made by hand. This is the most complex, labor-intensive and time-consuming method that requires full dedication on the part of the craftsman. This type of weaving can be used to create jewelry with an unusual design that will surprise you with its beauty and durability. Such products can withstand heavy loads and are guaranteed not to tear when worn.
Machine knitting makes light, elegant chains from thin links. Modern equipment is capable of producing products from wire with a thickness of 0.15 mm. In just 60 seconds, the machine knitting machine can weave up to 600 links. To solder the ends, the finished chains are placed in special ovens and calcined at 815 degrees. Such a high temperature activates a special agent that solders the links. The strength and quality of such decoration depends on the correctness and accuracy of technological processes.
Various chain weaves
The stamping method does not involve soldering the links, but threading them into each other. This is the easiest method to quickly assemble a chain. The links themselves are made using special dies that are used to press a sheet of metal. Its thickness should be no more than 0.3 mm. Visually, stamped chains look a little bulky and heavier than their actual weight. Compared to the manual manufacturing method, stamped products will cost less. But the disadvantage of such chains is that they are easy to deform and break, but it will be very difficult to repair.
To add originality, the chains can be diamond polished. It will give the product additional shine and lightness.
