20-Inch Sterling Silver Army Love Paper Clip Chain Charm Necklace

Durable Silver Chains

Curb chains and figaro chains handle wear well—their flat links resist kinking. Box chains are sturdy in heavier weights. Avoid delicate chains like herringbone or snake for everyday wear—they're prone to kinking and hard to repair.

• Curb: Flat links, very strong
• Figaro: Classic pattern, holds up
• Box: Squared links, modern
• Rope: Durable in heavier weights

Chain Thickness

For pendants, match thickness to weight—light pendants on 1-2mm, heavier pieces need 2-3mm. Chains worn alone should be thick enough to notice. On women, 1-2mm is subtle, 3-4mm is noticeable. On men, 4-6mm is common for standalone chains.

• 1-2mm: Delicate, for light pendants
• 2-3mm: Versatile middle ground
• 4-5mm: Bold, visible on its own
• 6mm+: Statement piece

Tarnish Prevention

Store in anti-tarnish bags or with silica packets. Keep away from rubber (it speeds tarnish). Remove before applying lotions, perfume, or hairspray. Actually wearing your chain helps—oils from skin create a protective barrier.

• Use anti-tarnish storage
• Remove before cosmetics
• Keep away from rubber
• Regular wear helps prevent tarnish

Chain Lengths

16" sits at the collarbone—choker style. 18" is the most popular women's length, hitting below the collarbone. 20" falls at the top of the chest. Men typically wear 20-24". Add 2" to your usual length if wearing with a pendant.

• 16": Choker length
• 18": Most popular, below collarbone
• 20-22": Upper chest
• 24"+: Below chest, often for men

Chain Repairs

Most silver chains can be repaired by a jeweler. Simple breaks in curb or cable chains are easy fixes. Herringbone and snake chains are harder—sometimes impossible—to repair invisibly. The clasp is often the weak point and cheap to replace.

• Most breaks are repairable
• Jewelers can solder links
• Clasps are easy to replace
• Some chain types repair better

Chains: The foundation of necklace jewelry. Worn alone or with pendants.

Pendants: Ornamental piece hanging from a chain. Focal point jewelry.

Chokers: Sit close to the neck. 14-16 inches. Dramatic framing.

Station: Decorative elements spaced along the chain. Subtle elegance.

Lariat: Y-shaped, open-ended. Contemporary styling.

Collar: Sits on collarbone. Often structured, statement-making.

Multi-strand: Multiple chains worn as one piece. Layered look, single clasp.

14-16" (Choker): Sits at base of neck. Works with open necklines.

17-19" (Princess): Most versatile. Falls at or just below collarbone.

20-24" (Matinee): Falls between collarbone and bust. Shows well with high necklines.

28-34" (Opera): Falls at or below bust. Can be doubled for layered look.

36"+ (Rope): Very long. Wrap multiple times or wear single.

Your neck length and typical necklines should guide your choice. 18" works for most people in most situations.

Cable: Classic interlocking oval links. Works with everything.

Box: Square links, modern and strong. Great for pendants.

Rope: Twisted links for textured look. Elegant standalone.

Snake: Smooth, flexible, sleek. Handle carefully—can kink.

Wheat: Woven oval links. Flexible and comfortable.

Figaro: Pattern of small and large links. Italian classic.

Curb/Cuban: Flattened interlocking links. Bold look.

14K gold: Best balance of durability and value for everyday chains.

18K gold: Richer color, good for special pieces.

Platinum: Strongest, never tarnishes. Premium price.

White gold: Versatile, modern. Requires periodic rhodium plating.

Rose gold: Warm, romantic. Growing trend.

For chains you'll wear daily, durability matters. For occasional pieces, prioritize the look you love.

Vary lengths: Create visual interest with different chain lengths.

Mix textures: Different chain styles prevent tangling and add dimension.

Include a focal point: One pendant or statement piece anchors the look.

Odd numbers: Three or five pieces usually look more balanced than even numbers.

Match metals or don't: Coordinated metals look polished. Mixed metals look intentional and trendy.

Anti-tangle tips: Different textures help. Necklace detanglers exist. Store hanging.

Prevent tangles: Hang necklaces or store flat separately. Never toss in a jewelry box together.

Cleaning: Warm soapy water for gold. Dry thoroughly.

Clasp care: Clean clasps regularly—they can get gummed up and fail.

Travel: Thread through straws or use a travel jewelry organizer.

Professional maintenance: Have valuable necklaces inspected annually for weak points.