Long silver chain to swop pendants onto

[HoopDePoop]

Any jewellery buffs able to help? I have wanted a long, fine silver chain with a simple pendant on it for ages and haven't seen one. I have a couple of Pandora bracelets with lots of nice beads, and I like the idea of wearing a single bead on a long chain, so the fastening would need to fit a bead over it.

When I google long silver chains - I think 36 inches is a good length for the look I want? - the chains all seem very chunky, which isn't what I want. Is a long delicate silver chain not the right thing? V confused, and would appreciate tips so I don't order the wrong thing and also pay over the odds!

Tia

[HappyGirlNow]

I wanted a non-standard length hold chain (ie not 16" or 18") and I just went into a jewellers and they ordered one in. That's what I suggest you do, you can pick a chain you like and specify length to them.

[HappyGirlNow]

*hold = gold

[HoopDePoop]

Thanks, didn't even occur to me to go into a real life jeweller, so used to buying everything over t'internet!

[Plumpcious]

The thinner the chain, the less strong it will be, especially with a pendant on. Have you seen any 36" chains in real life or just photos online? Perhaps they don't look as chunky when they're being worn.

[HipHopOpotomus]

I got one from NotOnTheHighSt - it came with a pendant but I ordered the chain to be longer (approx 28"). It's a lovely chain, fine but strong & I had to replace it as I broke the other one (hooked it on toy on cot - it didn't stand a chance). It was £12 to replace.

[Annianni]

Tiffany do nice simple silver chains in different lengths.

I think they're about £40, i've looked at 36 inch ones on there.

Sorry but I can't link as i'm on my phone.

[Pinot]

marking place

[Annianni]

If you do a search for silver chains, under £100, several come up.

The elsa peretti one is very fine.

[Annianni]

They show as 16 inch, but when you click on them, it gives you the option to change the length.

I'll shut up now....

[Dollydowser]

My friend has a lovely silver Pandora one, silver and very long, it's sort of bobbly. Looks stunning.

[anniewoo]

Are HPJ jewellers back up and running? They did great silver chains cheaply

[Dollydowser]

Pandora silver bobble chain

[HoopDePoop]

I don't like the Pandora one, sorry - I really just want a chain identical to the one I have a Tiffany heart on, just a standard delicate chain but a really long one.

I looked on the Tiffany website but couldn't see plain silver chains in long lengths - the Elsa Peretti one only goes up to 28in, which I don't think is long enough.

Struggling to find an image but this kind of thing is the look I want, but I just want to be able to thread single delicate charms on to it, like my fave Pandora one this or something like this green amethyst - just a single small, delicate, interchangeable thing. The Pandora chains I have seen are too chunky for my taste.

[cerealqueen]

Ebay? I find you can get most things on Ebay, lots of sellers on there, not just people selling used items, but if you like used, some nice vintage stuff?

[mrscumberbatch]

Go to a jeweller, they will have rolls of chain for you to choose from.

For a long chain, go for something with lots of smaller links so that it moves freely. That said, longer chains are more prone to breakage so get a chain that's heavy enough for your pendants.

Depending on the style of pendant, belcher is a popular chain, or a small curb or bead chain for something that looks more delicate. You can also get fancy cut chains which reflect the light well.

If it's for pandora charms the threading on and off will be a real issue. In my shop, it'd be most likely that we'd have to take the end catch off, add the charm and then solder it back on. Which means that you can't do it yourself.

Go and have a look though, take a charm with you so that you can see which sizes of chain link and catch that you can thread the bead over.

[HoopDePoop]

Thank you mrscumberbatch , was hoping you'd turn up! Will take a charm along to a jeweller and check out the options. I would rather be able to switch the charms / pendants around than solder one on but I do think it'd look perfect with this charm I have. I know they are tacky and overpriced but I really love some of the Pandora charms - wouldn't spend so much money on them now, the hearts one I linked upthread was £50 but I would like to resurrect it as a pendant.

[mrscumberbatch]

It's a crazy price for them-agreed! But you should definitely get the most wear for your money!

If you find a chain that you like but the catch is too big, ask if they can switch to another catch on it. ie: A lobster claw might be slimmer than a spring ring (totally round). These tend to be the most secure clasps.
You could maybe look at a hook and eye clasp as well.

I've not been on MN in a couple of weeks but was getting the niggling 'Somebody has a jewellery query....' feeling

[Dollydowser]

You can have the round link at the end squeezed into a more oval shape so it will go through the middle of a Pandora, I've had it done for Trollbeads and their core is narrower than Pandora.