February 2000 For Your Staff/Selling Jewelry Styles Four Classic Chain Styles This is seventh in a series of articles Professional Jeweler is presenting on different jewelry styles. Learning about different styles, selling points and origins can make your job more interesting and profitable Snake This chain is made from star-shaped stampings on flat stock. The stampings are piggy-backed to produce a soft, supple chain. This method of chain production is slow, with most machines generating only 200 feet per day. 14k gold snake chain. National Chain, Warwick, RI; (401) 732-6200. Rope The rope chain, also called a double-trace chain, is formed from round wire links rolled flat to create a small, highlighted edging on each link. The links are fed onto a wire and lined up side by side to be soldered together. The chain can be finished with diamond cuts or left in its natural finish, called a silk rope. 14k Royal Rope features a diamond cut finish and a lobster clasp. Available in gauges from 1.25-7mm in 10k, 14k and 18k gold. Royal Chain, New York City; (800) 622-0960 or (212) 382-3340, fax (212) 730-7616. Mesh Different types of mesh chain include Milanese mesh, crafted from woven wire that takes on either tubular or flat forms; and stocking mesh, created by a knitting process that produces a continuous, seamless tube that can be pulled into various diameters. Fastened with end caps, mesh is most popular in necklaces and bracelets. Traditional tight-woven sterling silver mesh chain. Frederic Duclos, Huntington Beach, CA; (714) 898-3636, fax (714) 897-7963, www.fredericduclos.com. Box Box-shaped links alternating vertically and horizontally comprise this chain. It can be highly polished or diamond-cut and is extremely durable. Variations include the square link chain or the Venetian box chain. 14k gold box chain. HMS, Addison, TX; (972) 248-0266. – by Lorraine M. Suermann