Which standard of gold is preferable for a chain?
The sample is the first thing you should pay attention to.
IMPORTANT! The higher the fineness, the higher the percentage of gold. And the lower it is, the stronger the decoration.
585
In the countries of the post-Soviet space, the 585 test is most common. It contains 58.5% gold . The rest is copper, silver, palladium, nickel.
585 gold corresponds to 14 carats. Such products are affordable, highly durable, and do not darken over time. Therefore, many deservedly consider this sample to be the best
.
750
In Europe, 750 sample is preferred. It contains 75% pure gold , as well as other metals. Corresponds to 18 carats . This gold is more malleable, which allows you to create beautiful jewelry. But it also costs more.
958, 999
In the manufacture of jewelry, 958 and 999 samples are also used.
IMPORTANT! It is not advisable to buy chains of 958, 999 samples, since they have a soft structure and quickly lose their appearance.
And their price is almost identical to the cost of pure alloy.
How to distinguish a gold chain from a fake
You should buy jewelry in well-known jewelry stores, which can only provide you with a real product made of precious metal
If you doubt the quality of the model you like, carefully check the area with the clasp. If darkening, chips or sharp corners are visible there, you can say without a doubt that this is a fake. Another option to determine the quality of a gold chain is to rub it with an eraser. If the chain has turned pale and gold dust remains on the eraser, you have a cheap fake in your hands. Don't neglect the opportunity to look at a gold item. Jewelry made from precious metal is expensive, so it is necessary that its quality be excellent.
Basic parameters for choosing a gold chain
When choosing a chain, pay attention to the following parameters.
Length
When determining the length, proceed from the age, configuration, and style of the person for whom the chain is intended.
- If the jewelry belongs to a girl with a graceful neck, a long chain will do.
- For an elderly lady, it is better to choose a short chain that will not draw attention to wrinkles in the décolleté area.
- A short chain is not suitable for special occasions, but for a strict style it is just right.
- Short products are more suitable for men.
Thickness
Neck chains can be thin, medium, or massive. Focus on the situation.
- If you need to hang a cross, choose a thin chain.
- A thicker one would be suitable for a pendant.
- Massive items are worn without pendants.
Weaving
Weaving plays an important role when choosing jewelry. It depends on the appearance, as well as ease of operation. For example, some types of weaving are very impractical because they constantly get tangled. As a result, the chain constantly clings to clothing and may even break.
ADVICE! To wear a pendant, the preferred technique is “spikelet” or Persian weaving. These products are flexible and practical.
You should choose the type of weaving based on your own style and whether it will be worn with a pendant . For added weight, the decoration must be durable.
Types of weaving
These types of weaving are popular.
- Anchor . Consists of round or oval elements connected perpendicularly. Looks good with large pendants and pendants.
- Bismarck (spiral) . Suitable for men and women, looks good with classic style.
- Nonna (double or triple weave of oblong links) . Very reliable and durable, does not require pendants.
- Armored (looks like a tank caterpillar). Very durable due to double armor weaving, goes well with large pendants. This product is ideal for everyday wear, as it is made from solid links . Doesn't twist.
- Snake (tourniquet). Looks like a cord and fits perfectly with the pendant.
IMPORTANT! Jewelers recommend not leaving such a chain on your neck overnight.
How to choose a chain? What should you definitely pay attention to when buying a chain?
Circuit selection criteria
The chain is a wonderful decoration for both women and men. It looks great on the neck, emphasizing its grace, and attracting the attention and glances of others. Teenagers can also wear chains. But chains not made of precious metal are more suitable for them.
Today, the jewelry market is ready to offer a large selection of chains made from various metals. They can have any type of weaving and sizes.
With this article I would like to help you understand the variety of chains that are presented on the market today. From all the variety, you can choose the chain that can most successfully complement your image.
When choosing a chain, first of all you should pay attention to what metal it is made of. If you want to buy a chain made of precious metal, then in this case I recommend that you choose gold (yellow, red, white), as well as platinum or silver.
You can also give your preference to palladium, iridium, rhodium, osmium, etc. Precious metals have long been considered one of the best materials for making high-quality jewelry. At the same time, they are quite expensive, but they look beautiful and presentable.
When choosing a precious metal chain, I recommend that you pay attention to the fineness of the product. The absence of a hallmark indicates that the jewelry is a fake or made by artisans at home.
For precious alloys, the following samples exist:
for gold: 958, 999, 585, 750, as well as 375 and 500;
for platinum: 850, 900, 950;
for silver: 960, 999, 875, 925, 800 and 830;
for palladium: 500, 850.
Jewelry makers often suggest combining several different types of metals at the same time. This option is very convenient, and it will be easy for you to choose suitable jewelry for the chain. But in any case, you need to know when to stop and not lose your sense of taste.
Now let's talk about weaving chains. Chains have a number of links intertwined with each other. They also consist of a ring and a lock. As for the type of weaving, there are currently a large number of them. Types of chain weaving with photographs and descriptions can be found here.
In this article I will limit myself to listing the main types of chain weaving:
— anchor (links are located perpendicular to each other);
- pearls (in this case the links resemble round balls in appearance);
- armored (in this case the links are located in the same plane);
- combined (in such chains several types of links are combined);
- fantasy (in chains with such weaving there are links that have a complex configuration).
One of the characteristics of a chain is the diameter of the wire from which the chain links are made. The larger the diameter of the wire, the thicker and more massive the chain will be.
Fancy and combined weaves are the same armored and anchor links, but in a complex variation.
Today, the chain is not only the basis for a cross or pendant, but is also used as a separate decoration that complements the image. Designers often focus on various non-standard weaves, making the product unique and not requiring any additions in the form of pendants.
Now about the length of the pendant. If you think that chain length is not an important criterion, you are mistaken. The length of the chain actually matters a lot. If the length of the chain is chosen incorrectly, then it may end up in the box. The choice of chain is especially important if you are going to wear a pendant on it.
With the help of a long chain you can highlight your chest and concentrate your gaze on this part of the body. With the help of a medium-length chain, you can draw the attention of others to your décolleté area.
With the help of a short chain you can highlight your beautiful neck. When choosing the length of the chain, you should not forget that it can highlight both your advantages and disadvantages.
Please note that the skin in the neck and décolleté area is very delicate and therefore wrinkles quickly appear on it. So we should not forget that the chain can reveal this. I recommend that you choose a chain length that can take your eyes off these small cons.
Today, in order to measure the length of a chain, you should focus on values from 40 to 80 cm. To determine the length of the chain, you should take a simple thread and wrap it around your neck in the way you would like to wear the chain. Then all you have to do is measure the thread using a ruler and round the resulting value to the nearest multiple of five (from 40 to 80).
Now about what constitutes the integrity of the chain. Chain chains can be either solid or hollow. Moreover, each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Hollow (hollow) chains are more voluminous. They are light in weight. Such products will look voluminous and massive, but their weight will be light.
The advantage of hollow chains is that when you buy products at a low price (since the weight of the chain is small), you will receive a massive specimen that resembles a necklace. But along with the advantages, such products also have disadvantages - they are subject to deformation and often cannot be repaired if they break.
Due to their hollow structure, such chains are more fragile and cannot withstand soldering during repairs. I advise you to remove the hollow chains when going to bed to avoid damaging them. And it’s better for children not to buy such chains at all.
The body of solid chains is completely filled with metal, and therefore the quality characteristics of such jewelry are much higher, in contrast to their hollow counterparts. As for the links of a solid chain, they are less susceptible to deformation, as well as mechanical damage.
These chains are quite strong. But the weight of such a chain will be greater. This may be a disadvantage for some, so you will have to think about everything before you make a purchase.
Repairing solid chains does not cause difficulties for jewelry makers. So you can always repair such a chain, and when you receive it in your hands after repair, there will be no noticeable traces of soldering on it.
Now let's talk about choosing a chain clasp. Very often, when buying a chain, the last thing people pay attention to is the lock. But it’s better to take a closer look at it. The safety of the chain ultimately depends on the lock, so a strong lock will ensure that your chain will not be lost. There are several types of locks.
Round castle. This is the most common type of lock. This mechanism consists of a ring with a spring latch. Round locks have a high degree of reliability.
Carabiner locks. They resemble in appearance a part of a loop along with a tensioned spring pulled to the side. This lock is perfect for massive chains.
Box locks. They look like a box with a strip folded in half. This type of lock is not reliable enough.
Magnetic locks consist of 2 magnets, which are decoratively designed in the same way as the chain itself. The principle of operation of magnetic locks is to attract magnets. This is not the most reliable option for jewelry.
There is also a toggle castle. This type of fastener looks like a ring with a vertical bar that is inserted inside the ring and unfolded across it. This type of lock is perfect for jewelry because its design is very sophisticated. However, such a lock is unreliable, so it is not recommended to use it for chains made from certain precious metals.
When buying a chain, check the operation of the lock. Try unfastening and then fastening the chain again. It is important that the lock does not “stick” and does not open too easily.
And finally, I want to give you some advice. When choosing a chain, you must consider its purpose. For example, it can be designed to be worn as a pendant, but it can also be worn on its own. If you want to wear a pendant, it is better to choose a product that has a simple weave.
Such a chain will not distract attention from the pendant. If you want to wear a chain as an independent decoration, then in this case I recommend that you turn your attention to chains with fancy weaving. Such chains themselves can become a masterpiece.
I recommend that you choose the length of the chain based on your age. So, a short chain is perfect for a young girl, because it can highlight a young, graceful neck.
Older ladies can choose a longer chain. With its help, you can advantageously emphasize the chest and décolleté area. But if the condition of the skin in the neck area, as well as the chest and décolleté is not very good (for example, if there are wrinkles), then it is better to choose a shorter chain.
I can recommend young women wearing short, thin chains, and I advise plus-size women to wear massive chains like necklaces. When choosing a pendant for a chain, you should pay attention to the compatibility of the products.
Both the chain and the pendant or pendant should in any case be in good harmony with each other in color, type of metal, size ratio, etc. It should be remembered that the purpose of a chain paired with a pendant or pendant is to highlight them, and not to overshadow them.
When buying a chain, a child should choose a product that has a simple weave. Children may inadvertently handle the chain carelessly, and its repair will be expensive.
When buying jewelry, ask the seller about its origin. I strongly recommend that you ask the seller to show you the documents for the product (passport, certificate, document confirming compliance with GOST and other standards). You should also buy a chain in a company store - there you can buy a high-quality copy with documents from the factory.
Do not buy chains made of expensive metals in Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia. The origin of such jewelry is often unknown, and their quality leaves much to be desired. But Russian ]jewelry[/anchor] are capable of producing high-quality products.
I recommend that you periodically take your jewelry to a jewelry salon, where it will be inspected and cleaned. The technician, having examined the chain, will be able to identify in advance the presence of a crack in the links and carry out repairs in a timely manner.
In any case, when choosing a chain, pay attention to those items that best suit your taste. It is also important that the decoration is able to highlight your advantages. I hope that my tips will help you choose the right chain.
Additional selection options
Clasp
Even the strongest chain can be lost if it has a bad lock. The fastener should be reliable and not cause inconvenience when fastening/unfastening. We present the most common options.
- Springelny . They are used to equip elegant jewelry that does not exceed a weight of 5 g . It is important that the ring connecting the latch to the decoration is sealed.
- Carbine. It works clearly with a characteristic click due to the spring built inside.
- Clock mechanism . Very reliable, provides a strong connection. Moreover, it allows you to adjust the length of the decoration within 1 cm.
- Box lock . They are equipped with massive products weighing over 20 g. Very durable due to wire fuses.
Volume
The wearability of a chain also depends on its volume. Many people choose hollow products because they are cheaper. But they are significantly inferior in quality to solid ones. Thus, they are more susceptible to deformation, and if broken, they are more difficult to restore.
If you pay attention to all of the above parameters, you will definitely purchase a women's gold chain that will delight you for a long time.
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Length of men's and women's chains
1) It is very important to choose the right chain length for a man. It depends on many parameters: taste, physique, style. Most manufacturers produce chains with lengths that are multiples of 5 cm. Here are some basic options:
- The 40 cm long chain is suitable for men of medium build, thin people and teenagers. Such a chain will tightly wrap around the neck, often complemented by a pendant.
- Men of average build should choose a length of 45 cm.
- 50 cm is considered a universal length and will suit most people.
- A chain length of more than 55 cm is suitable for men of strong build, as well as men with developed muscles.
Chain length
2) To select the length of a chain for a woman’s neck, there are some other criteria. The following technique will help answer the question of what length to choose. You need to think about which part of the body the woman would like to emphasize - the neck, chest or décolleté - this will tell her the length of the chain.
- If a woman has a beautiful neck, then she can emphasize this dignity with a chain 35-40 cm long. A chain of this length will look good both wide and graceful with small links. It can be complemented with a pendant or pendant, but they should not be massive. But such a chain is not suitable for women of large build - it is better for them to opt for a length of 45 cm.
- A product with a length of 45-50 cm is suitable for wearing a cross or pendant for women of small and medium build. For them, such a chain around the neck will focus attention on the décolleté area.
- Chains over 60 cm long are also very beautiful. They draw the attention of others to their breasts. Worn over clothing.
There are many types of weaving chains made of both gold and silver. Some of them are suitable for both women and men. Bismarck, Byzantine, rhombus, and rope weavings are considered masculine. Such weaves often have links with sharp corners, create a dense pattern and are voluminous. Most of the other types are also suitable for men, with the exception of the “Nonna”, “Love”, “Heart” weaves - such weaves are considered exclusively for women. One of the most common and universal is anchor.
You can combine several chains of different lengths. A large number of chains at the same time is not intended to be worn every day. This accessory is worn for special occasions with suitable clothing, for example, an evening dress. You shouldn’t overdo it either, so as not to look old-fashioned, like in the 90s.
How to choose a chain?
Consider the age and appearance of the person who will wear the jewelry. So, for a young girl, a thin chain with a light pendant is appropriate. An older lady will appreciate a massive piece that can be attached to a larger pendant. Well, choose the weave based on your preferences: for example, classic is appropriate with business, casual, and evening wear. Fantasy weaving is an idea for the evening. Wear your jewelry carefully and it will last you for decades.
Weaving type.
The type of weaving determines the strength of the structure and resistance to deformation and twisting. For example, omega and herringbone chains are more susceptible to twisting and tangling.
Another problem may be the possibility of the chain ruining clothes and collars. For example, a “snake” can become very tangled in a knot and get caught on clothing.
The next important thing is how thick the chain should be. Not only preferences depend on this, but also the ability to additionally wear a pendant or cross.
To put a beautiful and large piece of jewelry on a chain, you need to make sure that it can withstand such weight. The most optimal choice of weaving is the “box” and “spikelet” chains.
They are quite flexible and durable. You can also choose such types of weaving as “figaro”, “anchor”, “rope”, “sea” and others.
History of chain and chain fashion
The chain rampage proclaimed today by designers did not happen suddenly. Chains have been present in women's and men's jewelry, if not always, then since the beginning of human processing of metal. More precisely, initially the chain was not a decoration, but a clever way to add plasticity and flexibility to the most durable of natural materials.
Nowadays there are soft synthetic fibers, the strength of which is not inferior to metal. And once upon a time, the only thing stronger than metal was stone. But stone, unlike metal, is completely devoid of malleability (the ability to deform). That is, it was unthinkable to obtain fabric or rope from stone with the technology of that time. But it turned out to be possible to connect metal elements to each other without adhesive or cementing compounds. One only through the embrace of one firmament by another. This made it possible to twist ropes from unruly metal.
It is extremely inconvenient to handle it, which stiffens without titanic efforts. But if you divide it into small fragments. Yes, bend them, heated in a forge, into rings. Yes, thread these rings one into the other, firmly fusing the joints in each... And so a chain ended up in the hands of a man, possessing the pliability of a rope and the strength of metal at the same time.
“Chain,” by the way, is the Russian name for the invention. The word owes its etymology to the very process of joining malleable elements. In Proto-Slavic languages it was denoted by the verb “chepit”. Later, along with the sound “ts”, which came into the language of our ancestors from neighboring linguistic cultures, the so-called “tsoking” also came. The original “chain” has become a familiar “chain” to our modern Russian ears.
As for the importance of the invention itself, it cannot be overestimated. Noted by someone observant, the ability of metal to adhere has become the greatest boon for humanity. The coupling gave especially durable clothing to the warriors: chain mail, for example, was assembled from the same interlocking metal ring links. And especially strong bonds are needed in peaceful everyday life.
One of the simplest chain weaves is called anchor. And not by chance. After all, if you can hang a heavy anchor, without which not a single ship can survive, on a rope, it won’t be for long. Metal is more resistant to abrasion and the adverse effects of water, air and sun. So, one of the first widely used chains were anchor chains.
How did the chain fashion, which has lasted for centuries, emerge from practical necessity? Have you ever seen a heavy chain unwind under the weight of an anchor? First of all, it's beautiful! Fashion does not leave anything that is beautiful without attention. Secondly, chain weaving, like any work with metal, required skills and abilities from the very beginning. Where to look for them, if not from skilled craftsmen? And what skilled craftsman would be content with routine, automated work? Even in forging ordinary nails, craftsmen strive to compete for the title of the best. What can we say about chains? Improving the strength of chains, craftsmen improved their appearance, inventing new methods and types of weaving. In general, it’s not so far from work on improving anchor chains to jewelry work.
Thanks to the efforts of jewelers, by the middle of the 7th century the fashion for chains became universal. The nobility, of course, strove to hang a pocket chronometer or theater binoculars on a chain of precious metals. The poor imitated the nobility by wearing chains made of inexpensive alloys that imitated gold or silver. With the advent of complex weaving, the chain has completely ceased to be just a holder for functional personal accessories or a way to hang pendants.
Even now, new ways of weaving chains do not dry out. How the inspiration of fashion designers never runs out, year after year finding applications for chains in their collections.
Which chain weaves are the strongest?
Let's look at what are the strongest and most reliable weaves of gold chains. Bismarck, the leader in strength, is best suited for men. The photo shows that this is a brutal, massive, voluminous gold jewelry, so it is considered traditionally masculine. But if a woman is confident in herself, she can also buy herself such a chain. Other most durable options are presented in the table.
| Name | Image |
| Pantsirnoe | |
| Snake | |
| Anchor | |
| Venetian | |
| Fox's tail | |
| Nonna |
Advice:
The strength of the chain depends on its weight; if the jewelry is less than 2 grams, it will be less durable.
How to check the quality of weaving?
Both a machine-knitted chain and a handmade product can be defective - no one is immune from error. Of course, jewelry of poor quality can be returned to the store, but it is better to check its reliability before purchasing. So, you have chosen a chain with a certain weave. Gently pull it between your fingers and take a close look at the links and their connections.
- The elements must be the same in size and shape. Of course, we are talking about types of weaving that use the same links. If the knitting technology assumes that the links should be of different lengths and shapes, then take this into account - compare different sections of the chain in which the pattern is repeated.
- Touch the surface of the links with your fingers and run your hand along the entire chain. The rings should be evenly polished and there should be no uneven or scratchy elements.
- Turn the chain in your hands - the links should not get stuck or sink.
We also recommend that you evaluate the reliability of the lock before purchasing jewelry. Open and close it several times - the mechanism should work flawlessly.
How to spot a fake one?
Is the gold chain you are about to buy actually made of gold? How can you tell if a chain is fake?
Let's take a look at how fake gold chains are made and how you can spot them.
Fake gold chains are not made of pure gold, and are often simply gold plated. This means that the chain is made from a different metal (or non-gold alloy) and is plated with only a thin layer of gold plating to make the jewelry look like real gold jewelry.
False gold chains can also be items that pass off as jewelry made from pure precious metal.
Similar to gold plated items, these chains are also made from non-gold metals, but instead of being plated with gold, they are wrapped in a thin sheet of gold that is bonded to the base metal under high heat.
When it comes to fake gold chains, also keep in mind that in the US, jewelry that is less than 10 carats cannot be sold as gold.
How are chains woven?
There are three types of making jewelry chains: machine knitting, hand weaving and stamping. Each chain can only be made in one way. Thus, standard thin and light chains (from gold wire with a thickness of 0.15 mm) are made by machine, stamping - fancy weave chains with links of different shapes (for example, in the shape of a heart). The links are not soldered together, as in machine weaving, but threaded into each other. Finally, hand weaving allows you to create the strongest chains weighing as little as six grams.
In this way, ordinary full-weight and hollow chains are produced, which tempt many with their low price. But is it worth buying such products?
Chain length and thickness
A fashion trend is a combination of several men's chains.
The choice of product size is largely determined by the man's build:
- It is better not to choose thin products (less than 3 mm thick), because these are usually women's jewelry;
- universal thickness - 5-6 mm;
- for large men and athletes, the optimal thickness is more than 6 cm .
The length of the product and how you will wear the jewelry - with or without a pendant - are determined by the build and thickness of the neck. The optimal length for a classic product is 50-55 cm , with a pendant - 60 cm . When choosing a chain, make sure it is level with the base of your collarbone.
