Home   >   Daily Wire Jewelry Tips   >   About Jewelry Chain: Figaro Chain

About Jewelry Chain: Figaro Chain

By on November 7, 2012
Print Friendly

by Rose Marion, Wire-Sculpture.com

Wire Jewelry Resource for
November 7, 2012

Shop for Jewelry Chains

What’s Figaro Chain?

Figaro chain may look very similar to curb or cable chain. That’s because it’s made in the same way, simply with an elongated link inserted in a pattern, every 2-4 regular links or so. A popular pattern is 3 round, 1 long. Most Figaro chains are curb chain (meaning each link lies flat), but some are curb (simple circles).

There is some specialty chain that exchanges a “long link” with a different shape, such as a large heart or diamond. This isn’t considered traditional Figaro chain, but if it’s labeled that way, you’ll understand why!

While it’s not certain when Figaro chain originated in Italy, the story is that Italian chainmakers – who still, to this day, make the finest Figaro chains – named the chain by the classical operas The Barber of Seville and The Marriage of Figaro. Perhaps they were trying to attach their new style of chain to the celebrities and popular culture of the thimes?

This style of chain is popular with men; Figaro chain can be worn solo, or bearing a pendant, such as a cross. Figaro chain is ornamental and patterned yet still low-key and simple, making it an ideal choice for a man.

Because Figaro chain is made with chain links, rather than plates like snake chain, it’s very easy to make Figaro necklaces yourself – simply acquire a spool of Figaro chain and add your handmade findings to the end. It’s also a fun chain to use as a component, for example, as the base of a pair of dangle earrings (attach several headpin bead charms to each link) or a bracelet base.

Pictures of Figaro Chain

Assorted Figaro Chains

Assorted Figaro Chains


Figaro Chain Diagram

Hint: You can click the above picture and right-click > Save to save it to your computer, or click on it and Print. There will be more diagrams coming!

Next week, we’ll talk about a few assorted styles of chain, including Alma, Anchor, and Infinity Chain. See you then!

Resources & Further Reading

Have a Wire Jewelry Idea you’d like to share? Click Here to submit your idea. You could be featured on our Blog!

Click to Receive Daily Tips by Email