Gold Chain Types
When it comes to fashion, gold chains never go out of style. Popular among both men and women, they come in a wide range of karats and colors, giving plenty of options to match any taste and budget.
But beyond karats and color tones, what truly helps give a chain its distinctive look overall is its design & style.
Each style has its own look, texture, and drape that sets it apart. Understanding the differences of each helps you pick one that matches your taste and how you plan to wear it.
In this article, we’ll cover some of the most popular types of gold chains you’ll find at your local jewelry store. If you’re in San Diego, we invite you to stop by—we have one of the largest selections of gold chains in the city.
Cuban Link Chain
Cuban Link Chain
Cuban chains are iconic. They first became popular in the hip hop culture of the 70s, and have since become a favorite among the general public. They have thick, tight interlocking oval links that give them their signature shape and hefty feel.
Cuban link chains are built to last. They handle everyday wear, look great alone, and pair easily with a pendant. They come in a wide variety of widths; they can be as thin as 2mm, and as thick as 12mm and beyond.
Rope Chain
Rope Chain
Rope chains, as their name suggests, look like a braided piece of rope. In this style, multiple metal strands of metal links are twisted together to create the spiral design.
Rope chains are flexible and strong, and have a textured surface that reflects light quite easily. It’s this light play that makes rope chains visually striking. They make great statement pieces on their own, and are often paired with simple pendants, too.
Figaro Chain
Figaro Chain
The Figaro chain features a distinctive pattern of short round links alternating with longer oval ones. The most common pattern is three short links followed by one long link, though variations exist. This chain originates from Italy and is particularly popular among men. Fun fact: the style’s name comes from Mozart’s play “The Marriage of Figaro”.
Curb Chain
Curb Chain
Curb chains are made from uniform, interlocking links that have been flattened and twisted so they lie flat against the skin when worn. Cuban chains are a subset of curb chains.
The main difference between the two styles is that Cuban links are rounder and more tightly interlocked (relatively less space between each link), while curb chains have a flatter profile.
Cuban chains have more of a bolder look, while curb chains are a bit more subtle. Like Cuban link chains, curb chains come in a variety of thicknesses.
Franco Chain
Franco Chain
The Franco chain uses tightly connected V-shaped links that form a solid, flexible pattern. The V-shaped design makes the chain resistant to twisting and catching, giving it both durability and a clean geometric look.
Box Chain
Box Chain
Box chains feature square or cube-shaped links that interlock to create a uniform appearance that’s a little on the subtler side.
These chains are popular among both men and women, and pair well with pendants since the chain doesn’t compete visually.
Singapore Chain
Singapore Chain
The Singapore chain is made with tightly interlocked, twisted links that create a delicate but durable design.
Like with rope chains, the twisted design of the Singapore chain catches light really well, giving the chain a respectable degree of sparkle. Because of the intricate pattern, Singapore chains are usually worn on their own without a pendant—they’re interesting enough to stand alone.
Snake Chain
Snake Chain
Snake chains are made of small, tightly packed rings that form a smooth tube shape. The smooth surface and fluid-like movement of the chain look like the scales and motion of a snake’s body— hence the name.
Snake chains have a nice weight to them and lay smoothly against the skin. They are popular for wearing with pendants since the smooth surface lets charms move easily, but they also look great on their own for a simple, polished look.
Herringbone Chain
Herringbone Chain
Herringbone chains are made of short, flat links stacked in a slanted V-pattern that lies flat against your skin. The pattern looks like the herringbone pattern found on certain fabric designs.
These chains drape really smoothly and have a nice shine across the flat surface. They’re usually worn without pendants since the chain can kink or bend if you add weight to it.
Herringbone chains are one of the more fragile chain styles. They shouldn’t be twisted or folded, since once they’re kinked, they can be a bit tricky to fix.
Kim Quang: San Diego’s Choice for Gold Chains
With so many different chain styles, there’s a choice for everyone. Whether you want something bold and eye-catching or delicate and refined, the right chain can complete your look and become a piece you reach for every day.
If you’re in the market for a new chain, we invite you to our San Diego showroom. As specialists in gold jewelry, we have one of the city’s largest selections of gold chains.
From different karats to different colors and styles, our team will be happy to walk you through the different choices available. There’s something different about seeing and trying on chains in person—we’d love to help you find one that feels just right.