Byzantine Bracelet Silver Stainless Steel (6mm)

Byzantine Bracelet Silver Stainless Steel (6mm) Whose Pattern Moves With Your Hand

The byzantine link builds up wider and fuller than most weaves, so shadow falls between the links. On a wrist that comes into its own more than around the neck: you see the pattern close up and it changes with every movement of your hand. The base is stainless steel, polished to a silver tone: there is no layer on it, because the steel itself already has that color.

Product details

• Material: stainless steel, polished silver-tone

• Width: 6mm

• Sizes: 18, 20 and 22 cm

• Clasp: lobster clasp

• Delivered in a Carpe Ice jewelry box

Byzantine or King's Link?

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 looks like one continuous piece. If you want that calmer pattern on your wrist, look at the silver king's link bracelet in 5mm.

How Tight, and Which Size

The bracelet comes in 18, 20 and 22 cm (7.1, 7.9 and 8.7 in). Measure your wrist just below the wrist bone and add about 2 cm. You should be able to slide a finger in comfortably. If you fall between two sizes, go up: a byzantine link that sits slightly loose turns with your wrist and shows the weave, while too tight pulls the loops straight and takes the depth out of the pattern. For most wrists 20 cm (7.9 in) is the middle size.

Why Silver Matters on This Weave

A byzantine link has far more protruding edges than a flat bracelet, and on a wrist those rub along sleeves and table edges all day. On this version that is no problem, because there is nothing over the steel that could wear through: the silver color is the polished steel itself. Wear therefore leaves no lighter patch: a rubbed spot on a loop is the same color as the rest. On a gold-tone byzantine bracelet a layer does sit over that steel, and those loops are where you would notice it first.

Care

You can keep it on for washing your hands, rain and the 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. On the gold-tone version you also take it off before the shower and sport, because that one does have a layer. Rinse it under the tap after seawater or chlorine. 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; lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft toothbrush will lift it out. Silver polish is unnecessary, because no tarnish forms.

Next to a Watch

At 6mm with this volume this is not a bracelet that lets itself be pushed aside. Wear it on your free wrist rather than beside a watch; if you do want them together, leave plenty of space. If you want a set, the byzantine chain in the same width and tone follows on logically.