King's Link Chains in Silver, Gold and 925 Sterling Silver
A king's link chain is a densely woven chain with a full look that holds up to everyday wear. Choose your king's link chain in 925 sterling silver, 18K gold plated or stainless steel, from 2.5 to 6 mm wide.
You recognize a king's chain by its densely woven link pattern that looks square from every side. It is one of the strongest link types there is, which makes it ideal for everyday wear. You will also come across it as a king's link chain, kings chain or king chain. The Byzantine link is a separate weave with its own pattern: in this collection you will find both, the king's chain from 2.5 to 5 mm and the Byzantine model in 6 mm.
Which width do you choose?
In this collection you will find king's chains in four widths:
- 2.5 mm: fine and subtle, in 925 sterling silver and 18K gold plated, also suitable for carrying a pendant
- 4 mm: the in-between size in stainless steel
- 5 mm: the most chosen width for everyday wear, in silver-tone and gold-tone stainless steel
- 6 mm Byzantine model: the heaviest model, a clear statement
The 5 mm gold-tone king's chain has been our best-selling piece of jewelry over the past six months. If you are broadly built, 5 or 6 mm keeps the proportions right; with a slim build or under a dress shirt, 2.5 mm is enough.
Which length suits you?
The lengths run from 50 to 75 cm (20 to 30 in). As a guide: 50 cm falls around the collarbones, 55 to 60 cm just below the neck, and from 65 cm you wear the chain over a shirt or hoodie. The 4 and 5 mm steel king's chains come in 50, 55, 65 and 75 cm, the Byzantine and the 2.5 mm models in 50, 55 and 60 cm. With the king's chain the choices are more spread out than with other links: over the past year, 28 percent was 55 cm, 26 percent 65 cm and 21 percent each 50 and 75 cm. So almost half choose 65 or 75 cm, long enough to wear over clothing. How to work out the length yourself is explained in our chain length guide.
King's chain or Byzantine?
Both are woven and square in shape, but the pattern differs. The king's chain has a regular, continuous weave and looks sleek. The Byzantine link has its own weave that looks fuller. The 6 mm Byzantine model is the widest in this collection.
With or without a pendant
You can wear a pendant on the 2.5 mm king's chain; from 4 mm the chain itself is the statement and a pendant quickly becomes too much. With a pendant, choose 55 or 60 cm, so the pendant falls on your chest and not against your neck. Wear a 5 mm king's chain on its own, or with a finer chain above it with 5 cm difference in length.
How to recognize quality
A good king's chain is evenly woven, without links that stick out, and bends smoothly without kinking. Lay it out in a straight line on the table: the weave should look the same on all four sides. Sloppy work shows first at the transition to the clasp. All king's chains in this collection have a lobster clasp that you can open and close with one hand.
Silver or gold king's chain: steel, 925 silver or gold plated?
The stainless steel models are the affordable choice. The silver-tone version is bare, polished steel: no layer to wear off, it does not discolor and no tarnish builds up, so you can keep that chain on in the shower. The gold-tone version has a five-layer PVD finish, harder than ordinary plating but still a layer: take it off before the shower and the gym. Looking for a real precious metal? Then the 925 sterling silver king's chain is the top of the collection: 92.5% pure silver, with the weight and deep shine that come with it; it can go in the shower and tarnishes slowly, which a silver cloth polishes away. The 18K gold plated king's chain has a 2.5 micron gold layer on that same silver. Every model comes off before the pool, because chlorine is harsher than shower water.
As a set with a king's link bracelet
The same link around your wrist makes a set. Choose the king's link bracelet in the same color and as wide as the chain or narrower, for example a 5 mm chain and bracelet, or a 6 mm chain with a 5 mm bracelet. For the king's link bracelet, 20 cm is the size we sell most often.
A king's chain as a gift
Not sure of the length? Choose 55 cm: the most chosen length, and on most men it falls on the top of the breastbone. The 5 mm silver-tone steel version is the safest choice: he can wear it every day and it needs no upkeep. Every chain comes in a Carpe Ice jewelry box. Want to make it a set? Add the king's link bracelet in the same width.
Want to know more about this link first? Read what a king's chain is exactly, what a king's chain costs or how the Byzantine chain compares.