All About Using Chain for DIY Jewelry Making & Beading

Chain is a fun jewelry making component to add to your design repertoire. One of the nice things about chain is that styles vary so widely that you can really set the tone of a design through your chain choice. Chain can be very simple such as a delicate 2.6mm sterling silver curb chain or bold and dramatic like a gold plated coin charm chain. Chain choice will also depend upon application, is the chain to be used as an accent in the design (such as a chain loops on an earring) or as the main structural component that holds your design together (like a necklace chain). When deciding on a chain you will want to consider several factors.

First off, consider if you want a finished chain with the clasp already attached (such as a finished chain necklace or bracelet) or do you want chain that is cut-to-order either by the inch or foot. Both have their advantages. A finished chain is all done, you know that your clasp set fits the chain and is securely attached. It can also in some cases be more economical because you do not have to buy the chain, clasp, and jump rings separately. It saves time because it is ready to go right away. The advantage of cut-to-order chain is that there is more variety in styles available and you can totally customize the length. You can also pick out your favorite clasp to finish it off (if you are using it as a chain necklace, bracelet, or anklet). 

After you have decided on if you want a finished chain or cut to order, you will need to decide on color/material. You can choose between sterling silver, silver filled, gold filled, stainless steel, gold plated, silver plated, gunmetal or antiqued brass. So many choices! Pick the one that best matches your design. If you want to create heirloom jewelry, consider one of the finer chains like sterling silver, silver filled or gold filled. 

Let's now look at all the different styles of chain available! 

Curb chain is one of the most classic and widely used chain. It is relatively simple in design in that it features interlocking, twisted links. Because of the twist in the link, the chain lies nice and flat. The links themselves are usually slightly flattened. Curb chain styles can be delicate or heavier, they can feature small links or grand large links. This is a good, go with almost anything chain.

Another classic chain style is rolo chain. Rolo chain is comprised of round interlocking links. If you made "paper chains" as a child, you were actually making a rolo chain. This style is easy to identify as the individual links are actually thicker than most chain links, sometimes with one flat interior side and a rounded outside. 

Cable chain features interlocking links as well, but unlike rolo chains, the links are thinner and more like jump rings. In some cases, you will find oval cable chain where the links are slightly elongated, other times the links will be round. Jump rings blend in beautifully to cable chains. Sometimes the links on cable chains are actually open (just like jump rings), making it every easy to attach them.

Ball chain is fun! It is essentially little metal balls (sometimes there are plastic versions out there) that are connected via a little metal bridge. The balls can even slide just slightly on that metal bridge. To cut the chain, you cut the little bridge. To connect your ball chain, you can use a peanut shaped connector clasp which allows you to make a complete necklace or bracelet or you can use ball chain connectors like those by Nunn Design.

Charm chain can vary widely and be used in a variety of ways. What is charm chain? It's chain that has oodles of little charms per inch. These charms can be skulls, leaves, drops, ball, rings, coins, or anything else. A nice thing about charm chain is that you can use it whole or cut all the charms off to produce lots of charms to use for your projects.

Another category of chain is beaded chain. This chain is literally what its name suggests: it has beads on it! You will often find this type of chain with Czech glass beads, pearls, or gemstones. Not only is this chain a huge time saver, but it has a really pretty look to it and adds to the overall design. It's a very decorative chain. 

Other Chains

Other types of chain include snake, figaro, rhinestone cup chain, figure-8 chain, and more. 

Find your favorite chain in our chain category here!