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The Chain Atlas: Ten Gold Chain Styles, Side by Side
Ten gold chain styles, photographed the same way at the store on 47th Street: what each one is, what the people of 47th Street say about it, and the pieces in our case now.
Ten gold chain styles, each photographed the same way: flat on black leather, under the same light, at the TraxNYC store on 47th Street. For each one: what it is, what the people of 47th Street told us about it, and the pieces in our case now.
Jump to: Miami Cuban · Rope · Franco · Curb · Figaro · Box · Anchor · Byzantine · Herringbone · Moon cut
Miami Cuban
Thick, rounded links woven tight, so the chain lies flat and heavy on the neck. It usually closes with a box clasp.
More Cuban links, made to order: the Chain Book.
Rope
Small links twisted around each other, so the chain looks like a braided rope and catches the light from every side.
More rope links, made to order: the Chain Book.
Franco
V-shaped links packed on four sides, so the chain is square, stiff and hard to kink.
More Franco links, made to order: the Chain Book.
Curb
Flat links twisted so each one lies against the next. A Miami Cuban is a curb made thicker and tighter.
More curb links, made to order: the Chain Book.
Figaro
A rhythm of short flat links broken by one long link, most often three short to one long.
More Figaro links, made to order: the Chain Book.
Box
Square links joined edge to edge, so the chain reads as a smooth, square tube. Clean on its own, and a classic under a pendant.
More box links, made to order: the Chain Book.
Anchor
Oval links joined one through the next, the way an anchor chain is built. When each link also has a bar across its middle, the chain is called a mariner.
More anchor links, made to order: the Chain Book.
Byzantine
Small links folded into each other in a woven, three-dimensional pattern, so the chain looks textured from every angle.
More Byzantine links, made to order: the Chain Book.
Herringbone
Flat, slanted links laid side by side, so the chain lies like a ribbon of gold. It shines flat, and it kinks if it is bent or folded, so it is kept laid flat.
We do not list a herringbone chain on the site right now: read what a herringbone chain is, and why it kinks. To ask the store about one, call or text 212-872-9692.
Moon cut
Round gold beads with faceted cuts that flash in the light: a bead chain, dressed up.
Or your own
Renato, who sets stones on 47th Street, says buyers now want a chain of their own design:
See custom chains, or read Renato's interview.
Before you pick one
- Franco, Cuban or Figaro, in grams per inch: types of chains, Franco vs Cuban vs Figaro.
- How wide: the chain width chart, millimeters to inches, with each width on a neck.
- How heavy: how much a gold chain weighs.
- Solid or light links: how they compare.
- Every link we can make to order: the Chain Book, 2,688 links from a chain maker in Los Angeles, each with its weight.
Before you buy
The chains in this story, and the guides from the store
