Byzantine Chain Silver Stainless Steel (6mm)

Byzantine Chain Silver Stainless Steel (6mm) With the Most Depth in the Range

The byzantine link builds up wider and fuller than most weaves: the loops sit loosely enough for shadow to fall between the links. That makes this the most three-dimensional chain in the range, and it looks heavier than its 6mm suggests. The base is stainless steel, polished to a silver tone: there is no layer on it, because the steel itself already has that colour.

Product details

• Material: stainless steel, polished silver-tone

• Width: 6mm

• Lengths: 50, 55 and 60 cm

• Clasp: lobster clasp

• Delivered in a Carpe Ice jewellery box

Byzantine or King's Link?

These are two different weaves, even though the names get used interchangeably. The byzantine link you see here has wider loops and more depth, so the pattern is clearly readable close up. The king's link is tighter and more even, with a calmer repetition that reads as a whole. If you want that calmer pattern, look at the silver king's chain in 5mm.

Why Silver Matters on This Weave

A byzantine link has far more edges and hollows than a flat chain, and it is on those edges that a finish takes the hardest wear. Here there is no finish to take it: the silver colour is the polished steel itself, so nothing can wear off and wear leaves no lighter patch. On a gold-tone byzantine chain a layer does sit over the same steel, and those protruding loops are exactly where you would notice it first.

50, 55 or 60 cm

This chain is thick, and that changes how a length falls. A 6mm byzantine link needs room to move: at 50 cm it lies tight against the neck and the weave gets pulled straight, which is precisely where the depth disappears. At 55 cm it hangs loosely enough to give, and that is the most chosen length; at 60 cm it falls free on the chest. We would not recommend layering, because a second chain catches between the loops.

How It Wears

At 6mm this is a chain that claims attention, so wear it on its own or at most beside something clearly finer. The weave is supple, so it follows the neck rather than standing stiff. We would not recommend a pendant here: the loops are too thick for most bails, and the chain is emphatic enough by itself.

Care

You do not need to take it off to wash your hands, walk through rain or shower: there is no layer on it that can wear through. Do take it off before the swimming pool, because chlorine is harsher than shower water. The gold-tone version also comes off before the shower and sport, because there a layer does sit over the steel; that is the whole difference in advice between the two. Rinse it under the tap after seawater or chlorine. You will never need silver polish, because no tarnish forms of the kind you get on real silver. To freshen it up, use lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft toothbrush: on this weave dirt sits deeper between the loops than on almost any other link, and that is exactly what takes the depth out of the pattern.

Styling

Silver-tone steel matches the case and bracelet of almost any steel watch. If you want a set, the byzantine bracelet in the same width and tone is the obvious addition. If you prefer gold, the same chain in gold tone is the counterpart.