Top 5 Types of Chains and How to Wear Them:

With so many chains available, it can be tricky to know how to choose and style them. From curb chains to fancy twist chains, chain necklaces are the perfect way to elevate your everyday jewellery.

To make it easier, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to styling different types of chains and our top tips on how to look after them:

What are Chains?

Chains are made up of a series of connected pieces known as links which are joined together to form a line. Chains are usually crafted in gold, rose gold, white gold or silver.

They can be worn on their own or with pendants or lockets. Common types of chains include curb, twist, belcher, rope and beaded chains. But what’s the difference between these chain types?

5 Stylish Types of Chains:

Choosing the right chain to compliment your style and outfit is essential. From delicate beaded chains perfect for everyday wear to decorative twist chains, designed to make a bold statement, we’ve got you covered:

 

Curb Chains:

The classic yet elegant chain is an easy way to up your jewellery game. Curb chains are made from round links with a distinct curve.

Curb chains can be worn on their own or with any of our lockets or pendants to create length and texture. Choose from sterling silver, gold, rose gold or white gold vermeil.

Beaded Chains:

Beaded chains are made up of small beads joined together to create a simple but sophisticated design.

The links in the beaded chain are strong yet the chain is delicate in nature making it perfect for wearing it on its own or with any of our smaller pendants. The beaded chain is a favourite for those who love a minimalist look.

 

Rope Chains:

Rope chains consist of lots of small round links which are joined together in the shape of a rope. The Lily Blanche Rope Chain is a decorative chain which means that it can be worn on its own or combined with one of our pendants.

Our rope chains are suitable for lightweight, medium-weight and heavy-weight pendants and lockets. The rope chain features a double-helix design which adds strength and interest to the chain.

 

Belcher Chains:

Belcher chains are a type of chain with oval links that are broad and uniform in size. The belcher chain is our heaviest chain type and combines perfectly with our heavier pieces such as the Memory Keeper Locket. It can also be worn on its own for a statement-making look.

 

Twist Chains:

Twist chains feature a twist design which makes the chain unique. Our twist chains are handmade to our specifications and include a highly polished bevelled link.

The links are attached with a little circular ring which adds fluidity and interest to the chain. Combine them with our lockets for an on-trend look.

Choosing Your Metal Type:

Once you’ve chosen your chain type, the next step is to choose your precious metal. Each of our chains are crafted in sterling silver, 18 carat gold, rose gold or white gold vermeil.

Sterling Silver Chains:

Sterling silver is a classic choice when it comes to chains, it’s very flexible and goes with an array of outfits from everyday pieces to cocktail dresses, perfect for lunch with the girls.

 

Rose Gold Chains:

Rose Gold adds elegance to your everyday jewellery. The warmth in rose gold makes it a perfect choice for those summer outfits. Try our Rose Gold Photo Locket to add length to your look. 

 Gold Chains:

Gold chains are a jewellery box essential. Gold adds warmth and richness to any look. We use high-quality 18 carat gold vermeil for our chains which are designed to be treasured for a lifetime.

White Gold Chains:

White gold chains are an excellent choice for those struggling to decide between gold and silver. It has the flexibility of silver whilst having the precious qualities surrounding gold jewellery. Add our White Gold Memory Keeper Locket to make a statement.

How to Choose the Right Chain Type for You

Now that you know everything there is to know about chains, it’s time to decide which chain is right for you! The great part is – you don’t have to choose just one chain. The beauty of chains is that you can layer them together to create your own unique look.

How to Choose The Perfect Chain Length:

Choosing the perfect chain length can be tricky. At Lily Blanche, we offer five different chain lengths to allow you lots of flexibility.

These include 16, 18, 20, 24 or 30 inches. Read on to discover how to choose the perfect chain length for you:

How to Measure Your Chain Length at Home:

Measuring a chain is easy. You can use a chain that you already have at home to practice on. Follow our 4 simple steps to measuring your chain:

Step 1 – Place the chain around your neck at the desired length.

Step 2 - Unclasp the chain

Step 3 – Lay the chain on a flat surface next to a measuring tape or ruler

Step 4 – Write down the measurement in inches or centimetres.

If you don’t have access to jewellery at home, don’t worry. This visual guide below will give you a great idea on where your chain will sit.

16 inches/41cm – this is our shortest chain length and we generally recommend this chain length for small children and adults. Placement – tightly around the neck.

18 inches/46cm - We recommend this length for our smaller pendants and lockets. Placement - sits on the neckline.

20 inches/50cm – 20 inches works well with pendants, lockets and on its own. Placement - generally sits below the collarbone.

24 inches/61cm – It is our most popular chain length and is the perfect length for adding a locket. Placement - this length generally sits on the breastbone. 

30 inches/72cm – this is our longest chain length and allows you to layer your jewellery with smaller pieces. We recommend choosing 30 inches for your heaviest piece. 

Which Chain Length Should I Choose?

It can be tricky to choose the perfect chain length. There are a few things to consider such as your height, style, personal taste.

Height:

It’s worth bearing in mind that a longer chain will appear to sit lower on those with a shorter torso and higher on those with a longer torso.

It may be worth using a chain length which you already have to measure and give you a good idea of where you would like the chain to sit.

Style:

As well as height, another factor to take into account is style. If you tend to wear a lot of turtlenecks, a longer chain could be a better option. If you wear lower-cut tops, short chains tend to work better.

How to Layer Chains:

Layering chains is one of the biggest trends of 2022. The more chains the better! Get creative and combine your favourite chains to up your jewellery game.

-          Consider mixing metals – try wearing different precious metals together. Mix gold and silver for an on-trend look. 

-          Choose a statement-making piece – add a statement-making piece to your look. We always recommend adding your heaviest piece on the longest chain to add length and texture.

-          Mix chain types – combine lighter chains such as beaded and rope chains with heavier chain types like belcher chains to add interest to your look. 

Personalise Your Chains:

Once you’ve mastered chain layering, add some personal touches. Our chains can be combined with any of our lockets and pendants. If you’re looking for a personalised piece, you can combine our chains with one of our photo lockets such as the Memory Keeper Locket.

The Memory Keeper Locket combines beautifully with our curb chain, belcher chain or twist chain. We love the belcher chain for adding texture and layering with some of our daintier pieces.

How to Untangle Chains:

Keep your chains separated when you are not wearing them. Our jewellery storage bags are perfect for this – they help to keep your chains from tangling and the special intercept technology inside the pouches also keeps your chains clean and sparkling, it’s a win win!

If you do find that your chains become tangled, lay them out on a flat surface and use a needle to help undo the knots gently.

Still Stuck:

At Lily Blanche, you can exchange your chain length without any problems if you find that it is too long or too short, just let our team know and we can arrange this for you.

Find the Perfect Chain For You:

Now that you’ve delved into the world of chains, discover our collection of chains ranging from classic curb chains to decorative twist chains, we’ll sure you’ll find just what you’re looking for!

Shop Chain Necklaces