King's Chain Gold Stainless Steel (5mm)

King's Chain Gold Stainless Steel (5mm) That Never Hangs Crooked

The king's link is built from small links that interlock layer by layer, creating a dense strand that looks the same from every side. That is the difference with a flat link: a king's chain does not twist out of line, and the pattern stays visible however it falls. In gold tone stainless steel you get that classic look for a fraction of the price of solid gold.

Product details

• Material: stainless steel with a 5x PVD gold tone finish

• Width: 5mm

• Lengths: 50, 55, 65 and 75 cm

• Clasp: lobster clasp

• Delivered in a Carpe Ice jewelry box

Which Length Suits You?

65 cm (26 in) is the most popular length: it sits on the chest and looks great over a shirt. If you want it closer to the neck, choose 50 or 55 cm (20 or 22 in); those fall around the collarbone and suit a narrower neck. 75 cm (30 in) is a statement length you can also wear over clothing. If you want to work out where a length falls on your own body, use the rule of thumb behind chain length.

King's Link or Byzantine Link?

These are two different weaves, even though the names get used interchangeably. The king's link is tighter and more even in construction, with a calm repeating pattern. The byzantine link is fuller and clearly sculpted, with more depth and shadow between the links. If you want that fuller weave, look at the gold Byzantine chain in 6mm. If you want the calmer pattern you can wear every day, you are in the right place. We put all the variants side by side in our overview of the types of king's chain.

Five Layers of PVD, Not Standard Gold Plating

PVD stands for physical vapor deposition. The gold color is bonded to the steel at molecular level inside a vacuum chamber rather than electroplated on top, and that makes the finish noticeably harder and more resistant to scratches than a standard plated layer. At Carpe Ice that happens in five layers. It is the same technique watch brands use for gold tone cases, precisely because it has to survive daily wear. Want the color to stay this way as long as possible? Take it off before the pool, the shower and sport, and store it dry. The silver tone version is bare steel with no layer and can stay on; this gold tone one has a PVD layer, so take it off.

Steel, 925 Silver or 18K Gold Plated

Stainless steel is the most practical of the three: it costs the least, it is the strongest and it asks almost nothing of you. If you want a precious metal base, the king's chain in solid 925 sterling silver is the next step. That one is finer in width and considerably more expensive, but it can always be polished again. If you want broad and striking for daily wear, steel with 5x PVD is the logical choice; if you want value in the material itself, that is the silver.

Styling

At 5mm this steel chain is broad enough to wear on its own without getting lost. If you want a set, the king's link bracelet in the same width and finish follows on seamlessly. If you prefer mixing tones, the same link in silver sits well next to a steel watch.