Chains directory
Ball chain
Chain made of small emptied beads, connected by small little sticks with spherical ends hidden inside the beads (this allows for a full rotation). The beads can be round or oval and at times alternate in these two shapes. This chain generally requires a clasp or a customized connector.
Cable chain : Alternating
The cable chain is one of the most widespread model. It consists of round or oval links, made with round or flat (rectangular) strings. The alternating variant often consists of an alternation of round and oval links.
Cable chain : Flat wire
The cable chain is one of the most widespread model. It consists of round or oval links, made with round or flat (rectangular) strings. In this case, the string that is used to make the chain’s links is flat.
Cable chain : Mirror
The cable chain is one of the most widespread model. It consists of round or oval links, made with round or flat (rectangular) strings. The mirror variant is differentiated by its round string links that were flatten on two opposite surfaces. This creates a shiny effect, thus the "mirror" designation.
Cable chain : Round wire
The cable chain is one of the most widespread model. It consists of round or oval links, made with round or flat (rectangular) strings. In this case, the string that is used to make the chain’s links is round.
Cable chain : Twisted
The cable chain is one of the most widespread model. It consists of round or oval links, made with round or flat (rectangular) strings. In this case, the string that is used to make the chain’s links is round, but also twisted.
Cristal links chain
The crystal links chain is as its name indicates, a chain made of links onto which are added crystals, there are several different kinds. It usually is a link made or not of precious metal, in its center is a crystal bead or a set crystal (box set or claw set). Some are also made with crystals mounted on eye pins.
These links can be bound together in different manners. The links with eyelets are usually bound by thin rings (welded or not).
For the claw set links (shaped as concave cubes in which there are small little crystal bezels), the articulation has a thin metal tab equipped with a little bar on each side. Each cube is equipped with a small slit (on both side) in which the tab slides. The longest part of the tab remains in the cube. It can then move but can not get out. These chains are available in several colors and metals as wells as various crystal colors and finishes.
Curb chain
The curb chain is made with flattened ring that were twisted to provide the chain with a flat aspect. The links can be round or oval. The particularity of the curb chain is that when put on a flat surface, it remains flat.
European style chain
Chain made with small interlocked links, giving it a cord-like aspect when round and a ribbon-like effect when flat.
Here at Club Bead Plus, we have European style chains, similar in appearance to the Pandora chains. They are often used with large hole beads, to create European style bracelets.
Extension chain / Chain extender
Piece of chain that measures approximately 5 cm that we install at the end of the jewelry piece (opposite from the clasp). This piece is used to allow for a longer or shorter length to your piece of jewelry. This type of finish requires a clasp that can be fixed on a chain ring: usually a spring clasp. The extension chains can be bought as is, they come in several colors, or they can be made from chain or rings.
Fancy chain
A fancy chain can take many forms. It can have links of various circumferences, include elements such as gemstones or pieces of metal, the links can be shaped differently (hearts, starts etc.). This chain can replicate another chain’s aspect in a non traditional manner and much more. There is no specific criteria to define a fashion chain other than the fact that it is not a traditional chain model.
Figaro chain
The Figaro chain is made with curb chain links. However, it is characterized by the alternation of its links shapes. The most widespread model is the one made with three round rings followed by an oval one. This type of chain became popular when the famous opera "The Marriage of Figaro" (also known as The day of Madness) came out, thus the name Figaro.
This chain is also known as alternating curb chain, bevel, fancy.
Flexible snake chain
The flexible snake chain is not actually a chain, as it is not made with intertwined links. This type of chain is actually made with a succession of metal bead caps (small roundish cones) that are strung one after the other on a cord, which confers it the appearance of a small flexible tube. The tension created on the bead caps, provides it with the tubular aspect. For example, this effect is obtained when the cord ends’ are tied together very tightly. The cord remains invisible, since it remains at the center of the tube. To use only one part, you can cut the cord that is inside using cutter pliers inserted between two bead caps. You can then re-string a “chain” segment on a support, such as nylon covered steel string (tigertail) or copper wire. For a successful effect, the key is to tighten adequately to compress the bead caps against each other.
Rhinestones chain
The Rhinestones chain, is a chain made with (or without precious) metal claw set links. They are shaped as small concave cubes in which are added and set rhinestones bezels.
The articulation of this type of chain has a thin metal tab equipped with a little bar on each side. Each cube is equipped with a small slit (on both side) in which the tab slides. The longest part of the tab remains in the cube. It can then move but can not get out.
These chains are available in several colors and metals as wells as various colors and Rhinestones finishings.
Rolo chain
The Rolo chain (also known as "Jaseron chain"), is a chain with round links. Its name is derived from Al-Djazaïr (Algiers, Algeria), where chain mails were from during the Middle Ages. Since the term Jaseron means chain mail, any chain made with this technique (made with enameled interlocked links) has this designation.
Today the Jaseron chain often refers to a chain made of semi-round or rectangular string links.
Rope chain
Chain made of small oval links assembled (not soldered) in dense swirls, thus creating the effect of a spiral-like cord.
Also known as diamond cut, triple rope or french rope.
Scroll chain
The chain made from "Railroad" links is made with elongated links that look like interlocked spirals. The links are made with round strings and sometimes they are even slightly hammered,
It is also known as "snail chain".
Snake chain
This chain is assembled so tightly and flexibly that it gives it a sinuous snake-like appearance from which its name is derived. This chain is solid and available in many different diameters, from the smallest to the largest and in round, oval or flat shapes. This chain is more expensive because of the amount of material used and its time consuming fabrication process.
Stick bar chain
The stick bar chain is made with links shaped as little sticks, linked together. The links can be linked by rings or directly linked together.
Textile chain
Fabric chains are made with malleable links, covered with textile. It often consists of a cable chain but could also be of a different shape. What characterizes this chain is the vast array of colors if which it is available.
Venetian box chain / Box chain
Chain made with cubic links, made from flat strings and then assembled one in the other. This chain’s appellation is derived from its box-like cubic links. Its links assembly gives it an even, robust and elegant simple aspect.
It is also known as square box, long box, or double venetian chain.