Although most chains are unisex there are a few designs and link shapes we know are significantly more popular with women. Our extensive guide takes you through the most popular chain necklaces for women, whether they make great chains for pendants or necklaces and how to style them.
Brick Chain
Brick chains can come in all shapes and sizes and make equally good bracelets and necklaces. The brick pattern emerges the way the links and metal stack against each other in a woven mesh rather than a strand. There are some stunning ways this metal work can be shown off with the curves in the links. A brick chain necklace makes a great piece to wear to a black-tie event or a cocktail party. There is something very glamour about them and we love that it’s easy to get a matching set of a bracelet and a necklace, and even sometimes brick chain earrings too.
Cleopatra Chain
When you see these beautifully sculpted chains you’ll instantly see where they get their name from. Cleopatra chains are bold statement necklaces with the links woven into a bib at the front. The bib at the front is complied of lots of links and metal forming a graduated curve. These necklaces make gorgeous accompaniments to sleek evening dresses. As the metalwork is so interesting, we think a plain coloured dress in a dramatic color is the best way to show off this necklace. Accessorize with an understated pair of gemstone earrings for luxury layering and a single bracelet.
Double Curb Chain
There are two kinds of ways that double curb chains are made. The first is more popular and has a single strand but an extra link inside those links. This means that each link is connected to three others rather than just two. The second, less popular, double curb chains is where there is almost two strands but they are connected together vertically rather than having the extra link inside them.
Foxtail Chain
Foxtail chains are beautifully exquisite in design and have a long history in the jewellery world. The name comes from the chain’s similarity to a fox’s tail. A double row of chevrons and links flowing together in the same direction to this slinky style of chain. Foxtail chains aren’t the most flexible as they are very tightly interconnected. The style is similar to a Franco chain but much more feminine on profile. Fine Foxtail chains can be styled with pendants for a sleek and sophisticated necklace combination.
Gate Chain
Gate chains are more typically used for bracelets. The links are long like the slates of a gate and stacked together to create unique and striking gold bracelets. Often, they come with a beautiful padlock heart charm as well. Gate chain bracelets are definitely a statement piece that you probably wouldn’t want to stack with other bracelets or bangles.
Herringbone Chain
Herringbone chains feature beautiful woven strands to create a thick bracelet or necklace. While Herringbone chains look similar to brick and gate chains these strands specifically overlap to build up one woven strand. The overall effect is similar to a plait and is often a clever way to mix different metal colours such as plaited herringbone bracelet with silver, rose gold and yellow gold. These chains tend to look good as single pieces rather then layered or mixed with pendants.
Kiss Chain
Kiss chains can come in a few different varieties, the links are X shapes and are connected at the top and bottom of the X and sometimes bound with other circles around the middle. Due to the size of these links most of the X links are hollow but they still make stunning necklaces and bracelets. We think they look especially great as necklets and shorter pieces. The style of the Xs together means that it’s not possible to wear these with a pendant but they make great statement necklaces for formal occasions.
Oval Chain
Oval chains are very traditional and classic in appearance, but this doesn’t make them any less stylish. An oval chain has oval shaped links connected together in a single strand. This is the type of chain that can be varied in so many subtle and clever ways such as mixing with circles to make an oval belcher chain or having very large oval links for a more statement piece.
Paperclip Chain
Paperclip chains immediately remind you of the jewellery you might have made as a child by stringing paper clips together. This is much more grown up and refined. The links are similar to a paper clip in size and shape but made with thicker links that won’t bend. We think the mixture of straight lines and soft curves makes this a modern beauty. Paperclip chains look especially luxurious with coin pendants or disc pendants.
Paper Link Chain
Paper links are modern and minimalist. The links are soft rectangles and slightly long but much smaller than a paper clip chain; which is more like the paper links big sister. We think these chains look especially sophisticated when paired with coin pendants or engraved pendants.
Popcorn Chain
Popcorn chains are a modern chain design that are lightweight and charming. The bobble nature of the chain makes a popcorn chain very smooth to touch. However, they are best not for every day wearing or with a very heavy pendant. Even though they are light weight chains they typically aren’t hollow chains with solid links cleverly interlocked together. This is a striking modern chain and perfect for layering or smaller pendants.
Snake Chain
The snake chain has become a classic piece of women’s jewellery. These chains get their name as they bend and move like a snake due to their flexibility and the way the links are bound together. A snake chain features lots of small rings which are tightly formed to create a continuous cylinder, and this gives them a wonderfully tactile texture. Thin snake chains can be a bit fragile so we would suggest wearing with a lighter pendant or using for special occasion rather than for a necklace you want to wear every day.
Tennis Chain
This is one of the few chains where the name isn’t linked to the appearance of the chain. In fact the phrase Tennis Bracelet was created thanks to a professional tennis player from the USA named Chris Evert. She had a notable career playing tennis from 1972 to 1989. During a very competitive match in the US Open her diamond bracelet broke and fell off her wrist and the world was immediately talking about tennis bracelets. They are similar looking to infinity rings with inset diamonds continuously flowing around the chain with minimal metalwork so that you only see the diamonds. We’d recommend wearing these to for mor occasion rather than playing sport, they have since become synonymous with timeless and elegant jewellery.
Wave Chain
Wave chains feature undulating links with asymmetric curves and have a soft nature to their design. There isn’t a standard way the waves look as each design will have it’s own unique style and shapes. These make lovely necklaces if you don’t want something as flashy as a Cleopatra necklace but would like something more statement than a simple chain and pendant.
There is a plethora of choice when it comes to women’s chains and necklaces and our comprehensive guide to ladies chains lets you know the best chains for everyday wear or for glamorous and formal occasions. Whether you’re looking to match with a pendant you already own you are sure to find a chain that suits your style from William May.
