chain size (mm, not length) for a pendant - help!

[katiedid]

So in doing some research for my next recycling project, I''m not sure as to what size chain I would need to ask for on a pendant. The stone is .75 ct, I want a 16" chain in white gold, and I want it set with 4 prongs (set low in a basket that will lay flat on my neck/chest). What mm size chain? I hadn''t even thought of that. Does anyone here who has a pendant mounted stationary on the chain know what size chain to use? How do you get one that''s strong but not chunky? What do the manufacturers of these type pendants use?

 

[kcoursolle]

The chain on my pendant is between one mm and two mm''s and it feels very strong considering how delicate it looks. I think cable link and rolo styles look more delicate than box or snake styles.

 

[katiedid]

I saw one that measured 1.3 mm and I think a local guy is going to bring in a 1.5ish mm for me to look at. I just love the look of everyone else''s and wondered what mm size cable chains those were.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 7/17/2007 3:29:32 PM
Author: kcoursolle
The chain on my pendant is between one mm and two mm''s and it feels very strong considering how delicate it looks. I think cable link and rolo styles look more delicate than box or snake styles.

Mine too. I have a sapphire pendant just like Kcoursolle''s too. It''s very delicate and gorgeous.

 

[marcy]

Katie, I use 1mm box chains on pretty much every pendant I own. I trust them because they are very sturdy for their size. They look nice but don''t distract from the pendant.

 

[monarch64]

Date: 7/18/2007 1:26:01 AM
Author: marcyc
Katie, I use 1mm box chains on pretty much every pendant I own. I trust them because they are very sturdy for their size. They look nice but don''t distract from the pendant.

Agree with Marcy, box chains come in handy and look beautiful for pendants rather than some stock chains that come standard with pendant purchases sometmes. Box chains are very sturdy and withstand wear and tear pretty well, I wouldn''t put anything valuable on a standard store chain (the ones just comprised of little teeny loops and a clasp.) HTH!

 

[katiedid]

So are the ones WF and BN uses (they look very similar) not sturdy enough? The ones I''m looking at are pretty much replicas of those (if I end up going with a local jeweler). They are the cable link chains with the lobster clasp. They''re around 1.5 mm wide.

I cannot for the LIFE of me decide between settings. I was looking at all the posts last night of photos of everyone''s pendants and weighing all the options. I love all of them -- 3 prong martini (would match my earrings perfectly--my earrings are each .75 ct and the pendant stone is .75 ct and the earrings are martini set), 4 prong (might flip less than 3 prong? would still match nicely being prong set and might be a little sturdier?), and thin bezel. My husband isn''t crazy about the bezel set, although he says to get whatever I want. So I''m really trying to decide b/t 3 and 4 prong but I can''t decide!!

 

[marcy]

Katiedid, I can''t say whether those chains are sturdy or not but I know I''ve never had a box chain break on me. The link, rope, singapore and snake chains I''ve had were not as sturdy and some of them broke. I only trust box chains anymore.

 

[katiedid]

thanks marcyc! I asked the jeweler about the chain I was looking at (it was a cable) and he said those are very strong (even if I wanted to sleep in it) and he also said cable chains are good for keeping the pendant flat (not flipping).

 

[marcy]

That''s great news. A chain that keeps a pendant from flipping is a good thing. Take care.

 

[katiedid]

We''ll see! At least he''s willing to work with me on this until we get it right. So I''m glad he''s right around the corner b/c if it flips, I''ll be right back there for him to try something else! But I''m still sad I couldn''t go with WF because I love their workmanship.