Every woman needs a little black dress in her closet. It’s a classic and stylish piece that can be incorporated in a variety of flattering looks. Another thing every woman should have, in a jewelry box in their closet or dresser, would be a simple but elegant golden chain.
Golden chains for ladies have long been considered a timeless and classic accessory that denotes wealth and status as well as sophistication and good taste. A simple gold chain or two, with or without a pendant, adds a touch of elegance and class to any outfit and can make you stand out from the crown.
Types of golden chains for ladies that you should try
If you go to any good jeweler and ask to see their golden chains for ladies, you might be overwhelmed with the variety of choices that they will present to you.
Before going to the jeweler, you might want to have some idea of the style or type of golden chain that you are looking for. When you get the jewelers you can specify that you are looking for a “cable golden chain” or a “Figaro golden chain” and they will just bring out their pieces that are made in that style.
Here are some of the most common types of golden chains that you can ask about-
1. Bead or ball chains
This is a pretty basic style, the chain is made by linking small round beads of gold to create a loop that gently drapes around your neck. You can choose the thickness of the beads, but they are normally about 1mm to 2mm thick. Depending on your jeweler, there will also be variations in the spaces between the bead.
Bead or ball chains are usually rather thin and are good for hanging pendants on. Having a hard time visualizing? Think about dog tags, the chains used for those are actually bead or ball chains.
2. Box chain
A box chain is a chain where the links are square or rectangular. Most golden box chains for ladies are sized at a minimum of 0.5mm and a maximum of 1.5mm, but your jeweler might have other sizes as well.
This is another simple chain that is considered good if you want to hang a pendant from it. It’s also considered a good chain for daily wear as it’s easier to repair than some of the other types of chains on this list.
If one of the boxes or links breaks, a good jeweler can just remove the broken link and either attach another link to the chain or just attach the remaining links together to essentially create a new chain.
3. Cable chain
This is another simple gold chain style that is a good choice if you are looking for a gold chain to pair with a pendant. It’s basically made by creating a linking a series of identical ovals.
The cable chain can come in a wide range of thickness. You can get thin, elegant cable chains that will look good with a pendant dangling on them or thicker, chunky chains that can stand alone and make an outfit pop.
4. Curb chain
A curb chain is a chain in which the links are designed so that they lay flat, even when interlocked. Curb chains are also known as cuban link chains and are essential statement pieces if you are going for the hip hop or street look.
Curb chains tend to be thick and chunky, so they really stand out and draw the eye. They are also sturdy, which makes them a great choice if you are looking for a chain that you can wear every day.
While many curb chains are designed to “stand alone” you can ask your jeweler if they have smaller or thinner chains in this style. Thinner curb chains can be used with pendants.
5. Figaro chain
This is basically a fancier version of a cable chain. It’s also made up of a series of oval or circular links, but what makes it stand out is the patter that these links come in.
While a cable chain’s links are usually of the same shape and sizes, the links change size making a distinctive pattern. A Figaro chain has a pattern of small circular links, maybe two or three in a row, that link up to a larger, more elongated oval-shaped link that gives way to another row of small circular links.
Figaro chains can come thin enough to hold a pendant or thick enough to stand alone. Take note, however, that a broken Figaro chain is harder to fix than other chains as it’s difficult to just remove the broken link as that will mess up the pattern.
6. Anchor or Mariner chain
Again, this chain is basically made up of interlocking oval links, but at the center of each oval link is a bar that basically cuts the link in half. This is another nicely pattered chain that draws the eye and is maybe a little more interesting than a cable chain or box chain.
This chain style get’s its name because it resembles the types of chains that are used for ship or boat anchors.
7. Rope chain
The rope chain is considered one of the most beautiful types of chain patterns. With a rope chain, you have a number of metal segments joined together to form the chain. The segments have a twisting pattern which is meant to mimic the look of real rope, hence its name.
The twisty pattern of a rope chain isn’t just interesting; it also increases the luster of the necklace. The pattern allows light to reflect from various angles making the necklace shine and glow.
Aside from the beautiful pattern of a rope chain, one of the other reasons for its appeal is its durability. The chain pattern results in a thick, solid chain that is very strong and won’t easily come apart.
8. Singapore chain
A Singapore chain is made up of a series of interlocked segments that are patterned to look like they are made of braided or twisted together fabrics. Like the rope chain, this chain is known for its beautiful and arresting pattern as well as its durability.
9. Snake chain
This chain is also known for the pattern made by the links. This chain consists of a series of small, thick rings that are joined closely together. The resulting chain is thin and delicate looking yet surprisingly strong and flexible.
This chain style gets its name for the fact that the resulting pattern looks like a snake’s body.
10. Spiga or Wheat chain
This chain is made up of a series of twisted oval-shaped links that are plaited together. The result is delicate, symmetrical chain that looks like a braid or, as the original designers believed, wheat stalk tips (hence the name).
The Spiga chain is semi-rigid and sturdy. You can choose to add a pendant to it or wear it on it’s own.
11. Herringbone chain
This is a thick, solid looking chain that is meant to be worn on its own as a statement piece. You can pair it with other chains for a layered effect, but it’s not suitable for hanging pendants.
This chain is made by connecting a series of thin flat segments together. The segments are bent at the center to make a slight “v” or herringbone pattern.
12. Omega chain
This type of chain is similar to the herringbone chain in the sense that, instead of links, it’s composed of flat metal segments that are joined together. The segments of an Omega chain are straight, however.
An Omega chain is very flexible. The design of the chain allows it to bend and kink. Omega chains can be used to hang pendants and in fact are a popular choice for chokers. However they are not very durable so keep that in mind.
13. San Merco chain
This chain consists of a series of slightly oval links that resemble grains of rice. Each link is connected to the other with a small pin. This creates a thick chain with a distinctive look.
San Merco chains make great statement pieces, but because of the fact that they are joined together by a pin, they can be rather delicate. Best save this type of chains for special occasions.
Proper care of golden chains
Gold is a soft metal, so you need to make sure that you keep your golden chain from getting scratched. When you are not using, the proper way to store it is in a jewelry box or else wrapped in a soft cloth.
Your golden chain should have its own jewelry box. Don’t mix it with your other necklaces as it can end up getting tangled and scratched.
Do not wear your golden chain if you are going to go to the gym or play sports. Sweat can dull the sheen of gold and vigorous movements can scratch or dent the links of your chain.
Do not expose your golden chain to water, especially swimming pool or ocean water. Chlorine and salt are corrosive materials and can damage and dull your golden necklace. It’s probably also best to remove your golden necklace and store it away safely before going in the bathroom to shower or bathe. You don’t want it accidently splashed when your washing your face, for example.
Your golden chain should be the last thing that you put on when getting ready. Exposing it to perfume, lotion, and even makeup can damage the gold so don’t want to get any of these substances on your necklace.
When you take off your necklace, you should wipe it down with a soft cloth before putting it away. Make sure it’s a soft cloth as other materials such as tissue or paper towels could scratch the gold.
Gold chains for ladies can be cleaned at home. All you need to do is prepare a solution of 10-parts water and 1-part dish soap is a shallow dish or bowl. Place your golden chain in the solution and let it soak for about three hours.
After three hours, remove your golden chain from the solution and rub a soft brush over its length. You should then rinse the whole chain in clean water. You can then blot your chain dry with a soft cloth.