A chain is the kind of jewelry that almost every person has. And often when buying such a piece of jewelry, we have a question: how to choose the right accessory. Indeed, today there are such a huge number of options that it is really very difficult to understand them.
There are many types of chains, but each of them has its own characteristics:
- length;
- width;
- weaving method (manual, machine);
- type of knitting;
- alloy.
Without considering all these parameters, any hasty purchase will turn into sheer disappointment. Because the chain can prick, squeeze the neck, get tangled in the hair, and even worse - not to withstand even three months of wearing.
Therefore, today we decided to share with you information on the topics: which chains are considered the strongest, how to choose the optimal length of the product for ourselves, with what it is better to combine this or that knitting of the chain.
How to choose a silver chain: so it doesn't darken and not only
Species There are a lot of silver chains today, so they are worn by almost everyone, from small to large. Until recently, anyone knew that a silver piece may darken during wearing or even careless storage. Why does this arise?
There are several opinions on this question. One of the most common says that when interaction of silver with human sweat, a chemical reaction is triggered and the decoration darkens. This phenomenon occurs because a sufficiently large amount of sulfur is present in the sweat, which gladly interacts with Ag and forms salts. This is especially evident if a person is seriously ill with something.
The second situation occurs when the accessory is not stored properly. If you have worn the chain for several years and then without any cleaning, threw her in the box... In the process of wearing, silver constantly rubs against clothing and human skin and thereby polishes. And sitting in a box, the jewelry has nothing to do and it begins to gradually become covered with oxides.
Rhodium plating is a great panacea for darkening a silver chain
Previously, nothing could be done with darkened silver items. The chains were cleaned simply by hand or by ultrasonic bathing and put back into operation. Today, fellow jewelers have come up with a different approach. Almost all the silver you see on store shelves is completely coated with rhodium.
Rhodium is a platinum-group metal that has a high hardness, silvery-white color and does not interact with substances that are present in the jewelry environment.
Rhodium plated silver has a number of positive qualities:
- the main alloy of the jewelry does not oxidize when interacting with substances in running water, human sweat and even cosmetics;
- the chain is more wear-resistant, and due to this, it is less scratched, rubbed and deformed when worn;
- care of the product does not require special manipulations;
- save rhodium chains even for those people who suffer from silver allergies;
- neck accessories have an attractive light gray shade that does not change with regular use;
- rhodium plating comes in three colors - black, white and colored. This property is very convenient for the need to create exclusive designer interesting jewelry chains.
Rhodium plated accessories slightly more expensivethan the usual silver for us, but the cost does not bite much. The difference in money, of course, cannot be clearly named, since each jewelry manufacturer sets its own prices, depending on the cost of coating and the desired profit.
A few more tips on how to choose a silver chain
And now additionally a couple of tips, regarding the choice of silver chains.
- If you need to choose a silver chain man, then do not look at subtle openwork options. If there is not enough money, then it is better to wait and collect a budget for a thick massive chain. The fact is that, by nature, a man is as flexible and graceful as a woman. They have more "foolishness" and more powerful strength. Therefore, men often cling to their accessories for everything that is difficult even to imagine, and tear. In a sock, a thin lace chain on a young man will behave very badly.
- Too strongly a wide silver chain for a man not worth choosing... If the accessory is more than 1,5 cm wide, but at the same time has a short length, then the man will look like a doll. From the outside, it will seem to you that the stronger sex is dressed up in a woman's jewelry. This should not be allowed in any way. A wide chain should be long enough. Only in the right proportion will the product look masculine and appropriate.
The 925 sterling silver alloy is best suited for a wide range of jewelry applications.
- The best sample for silver is 925... This alloy ideally combines strength and color. All silver samples, which have a higher copper content than 925, have impressive strength, but at the same time lose their natural white-gray color. Low-grade silver below 925 standard is easily oxidized, polished worse and poorly cleaned when dirty. Of course, pure 999 metal is the best option in terms of capital investment. But, as a rule, jewelry is not made from such silver. 999 is a fairly soft metal that is not suitable for everyday use. Its place is on the shelf of the bank. Therefore, the selection of a chain made of silver should be stopped only at the 925 test.
Choosing a gold chain
Gold jewelry is more durable than silver jewelry. Ideal for necklaces - alloy 585... It is a reliable, bright and colorful metal that is recognized as the general world standard and is adored by ladies. Naturally, the price of gold chains is much higher than silver chains, but this is due to the higher prestige and beauty of the products. If you want to make a gift to a loved one, then such an investment will be very reasonable, because gold never loses in value, over time it only becomes more expensive.
There is an interpretation in the dream book: choosing a gold chain when buying promises you financial well-being and stability. They also say that positive changes in personal life will soon take place.
Now main nuances when choosing gold necklaces:
- chain needed choose only in a trusted store... In no case do not take the product on the market or from your hands, as you can run into a simple falsification made of copper;
- when buying a chain be sure to check the integrity of the weaving and the quality of the lock... If something does not suit you or worries you, you should immediately warn the saleswoman about it;
- remember, that jewelry cannot be returned after purchase... If you ask why, the answer is quite simple. Any jewelry has a fineness and weight, it very often happens that fraudsters buy jewelry, change it for a fake or reduce its weight and try to return it to the store. Precisely in order to protect the seller from any fraud, items made of precious metals are not allowed to be returned;
- remember that men's chain should be more massive and strong enough, since the representatives of the stronger sex are less careful with jewelry than the representatives of the not particularly strong sex.
- absolutely necessary read all the characteristics of the chain in fullthat are written on the tag. This is done so that no one can slip you a low-standard product instead of the usual 585 standard;
- and below we will give a few detailed tips on how to choose the right women's gold chain around the neck in length, depending on the type of lock and weave.
Choosing a reliable lock for your chain
Contemporary designers most often completed with gold and silver items on the neck with such locks:
- carbine;
- spring lock;
- box;
- hook;
- toggle;
- screw;
- hinge;
- eight.
A carbine is considered a good reliable lock.... Most models of chains and bracelets are produced with just such a clasp, but in different modifications: rectangular or teardrop-shaped. By design, the carabiner consists of an eyelet and a clip; such a system will not open on its own. And you can only lose the product if the lock is damaged or bent. Therefore, before putting on any product, you must at least quickly make sure with one eye that the lock is intact.
The teardrop shape of the carabiners is designed for women's and children's chains.
Another common lock for women's products is spring fastener... Such a system is in most thin women's chains. Cons:
- it is very difficult to fasten the product yourself;
- in the event of a spring break, the entire segment must be changed;
- the spring of the lock wears out quickly, and therefore the jewelry can be unbuttoned and lost.
How to choose a chain by length
First let's deal with men.
pay attention to collar size in his shirts the guy wears. The circumference of the neck depends on this parameter, and it depends on the physique.
- if a man is short with a neck circumference of less than 40 cm, the minimum chain length is 45 cm. This option will fit slightly under the neck without causing discomfort;
- tall men with a neck circumference of about 45 cm are suitable for a length of 55 cm or more;
If the collar size is unknown, for example, a man does not wear shirts, then in order to understand which chain length to choose for a man, you will have to measure the neck with a regular sewing tape.
Choosing the length of the chain for a female image... Of course, such a parameter as the size of the necklace depends on personal preference. Someone likes short chains right under the neck, someone long. However, remember that for a woman the optimal length, so that the product does not “strangle you,” consists of the size of the neck circumference in centimeters and an additional 4 ... 6 cm. In other words, take an ordinary sewing centimeter and measure the neck circumference in school. Then add 5 cm to the resulting figure. This is where the mathematics ends.
If you medium chain required, then, relying on the standard sizes of chains (from 40 to 70 cm). If the girl is thin, i.e. its weight is up to 65 kg, then a chain with a minimum size of 45 cm is suitable.If the lady is larger up to 80 kg, then the chain is 50 cm. Chains are considered large 70-80 cm. This year these accessories are back in fashion.
Choosing the right weave: the strongest and most beautiful options
Today, craftsmen have come up with a huge variety of ways to make chains, but there is one characteristic that distinguishes them from each other. This is a type of braiding. It is he who determines the degree of originality and product strength, as well as to whom it is intended (man, woman, child). Now let's look at the types of knitting chains starting from the most durable.
Today bismarck considered the most strong weaving of chains... Many manufacturers still make these products partly by hand. The manufacturing process is quite laborious: first, the master makes wire rolling (i.e., squeezes a rod of the required diameter out of the metal blank), then cuts the rings and then bends the links together.
Remember one rule, the thicker the diameter of the wire from which the chain is made, the stronger the jewelry will be.
Why we want you to remember this nuance. The fact is that the joints of all rings of the accessory are connected using ordinary soldering. And here the law is simple: the thicker the soldering area in which the rings are fastened, the stronger the connection. Everything is pretty simple and prosaic.
There are several types bismarck:
- dense classic (weaving for men);
- Arabic with soldering in 4 places (women usually prefer this knitting); semi-volumetric;
- triple;
- a rose, where the links are woven in the form of half-opened flower buds. Due to the complexity and visual delicacy of this type of weaving, the chain does not require pendants in the set.
On the second place worth anchor weaving... The essence of this type of chains is to make oval-shaped links that are identical to each other, which are connected to each other perpendicular to each other. As a result, a chain is formed, which outwardly is very similar to a real anchor chain used on ships.
Varieties anchor weaving:
- double;
- triple;
- twisted.
The anchor is suitable for bulky men's chains. And thin diamond-cut chains look attractive on women.
On the third they put the place of the master armor weaving... As in the anchor form, here the same links are connected in series with each other. However, the nuance is that the rings do not lie perpendicular to each other, but in the same plane, which is achieved due to a special grinding technology. As a rule, the links are round or slightly elongated, but due to the finishing, the particles deform and begin to resemble a diamond.
The most bought types of shell weaving:
- rhombus;
- double;
- triple.
Some experts believe that single-turn armor chains are somewhat stronger than anchor chains. However, here the opinions of the masters differ. But the double and triple execution of the chain is considered very, very strong indeed.
Note: the chain usually breaks very rarely along its length. The most flimsy joint is the clasp. The fact is that this is done on purpose so that the chain does not strangle a person in any way.
And one more type, which cannot be ignored, is knitting. nona... In it, the links also partly resemble small rhombuses. Most often, "nonna" is double: this is the type when small rounded rhombus-ovals are enclosed inside large rounded ovals. In appearance, the chain looks like a thin openwork lace. However, in fact, such a chain is quite strong and behaves well when worn.
How to match a chain to a pendant and other jewelry in one look
For any image you need choose the right chains... How harmoniously the decoration will fit into the image depends not only on clothes and appearance. Other decorations are also of great importance.
For example, it was previously believed that you can not combine a gold chain with a silver pendant... Although modern fashion trends disagree with this. Today he considers it quite acceptable to wear both silver with a gold pendant, and vice versa.
Also you need to look at the weight of the products: do not put a massive pendant on a thin chain. First, the links will fray over time due to the heavy weight of the suspension and the base will break. Secondly, too thin chains do not look well with heavy suspensions. The weave hangs, it can start to press on the neck and looks completely sloppy.
Remember that massive formal lace chains are heavy jewelry.
A large number of details oblige the necklace to weigh a lot. Therefore, your task before buying is to try on a piece of jewelry and adequately assess whether you are capable of going out in it for the entire festive evening or not.
More stylists say do not combine classics with modernity... No one forbids adding a zest to the image, but you should not overload the outfit with different styles. Imagine a girl dressed in a tracksuit with a lovely gold choker hanging on her head. Well, where does that go? And you can't run on the sports ground, and there's nowhere to go.
Stylists also recommend looking at a combination of the color of the chain and the stone insert. The most winning and common combinations:
- classic red gold with emerald, ruby, pomegranate;
- colored stones look best framed with diamonds or cubic zirconia;
- white or black gold with black and white diamonds;
- amber looks flawlessly beautiful in red gold;
- pale stones are best worn in silver or white gold;
- opals bright sunny colors are instructed in red gold, and stones of cold colors in white or silver;
- pearl loves the red precious metal.
And finally, let's think about how to combine jewelry in one outfit... After all, sometimes girls "put on" such a number of products that the ladies become more like not a beautiful representative of the lovely sex, but like a New Year tree. Of the unsuccessful combinations, the most common are:
- a chain with a large pendant with pearl earrings and more than two rings on one hand;
- bracelet, ring, watch and a large pendant around the neck;
- thin "snake", heavy suspension, rough bracelet.
"Snake" is a product with a circular cross-section that looks like snake skin. The links in this knit connect tightly at a certain angle, so that the chain in motion really looks like a living one.
Don't mix elegant pieces with flashy or chunky jewelry.... There should be no contradictions in one design. If you are afraid of making a mistake, we recommend buying jewelry sets or making individual orders from specialists. A professional will give recommendations, show the best sketches that match your wishes.
Creating your image consider the following recommendations:
- feel free to combine a thin, graceful product with a bracelet from the same type of weaving;
- do not wear a massive, thick chain with large large earrings (while the image looks too defiant and tasteless);
- do not put suspensions on voluminous openwork chain models;
- include two chains in the image only if you plan to put on a completely monochromatic outfit.
So, we believe that we could somehow help you in choosing a chain for yourself or a loved one for a gift. In the end, I want to say only one thing: jewelry should not only be selected and worn correctly, it should also be properly looked after. For example, silver chains should be cleaned at least once every six months, rhodium-plated jewelry should be taken to a jeweler to restore the protective layer no later than three years after wearing, and gold chains should be checked for quality at least once a year under a magnifying glass. link connections. Remember the simple rules for caring for your products, and everything will be fine.
