Fancy Link Chokers

Fancy link chokers are our name for the chains that don't have a name, cut to the throat. Knot links, coffee beans, chainmail, Byzantine, the constructions the high street doesn't stock because they're slow to make. This collection is every one of them as a choker, from a fine 2mm to 18mm pieces that sit like a collar.

A choker is the hardest place to wear an unusual chain, because it's close to the skin, close to the face, and moves every time you turn your head. That's why ours are 316L stainless steel, silver or 18k gold plated, rather than anything plated over brass: the clasp sits on the back of the neck where plating fails first, and steel doesn't fail. You can wear these every day, in the shower and to bed.

Chokers come in Small, Medium and Large by neck measurement, with the 4 inch extender fitted to the chain rather than loose in the box, so the size you choose has room built in. A tape round the neck where you want it to sit tells you which size; pick the one that covers you. If you're between sizes, go down and let the fitted extender give you the room. Our Byzantine is the one to start with if you've never worn a fancy link; the chainmail is the one nobody else will have. We do most of these as necklaces and bracelets too.

Which fancy link should I get?

At the throat the link is close to the face, so pick the shape you want people to see. The 8mm oval is the one most people buy: open, geometric, architectural against the collarbone. Forge, hex and knot are the same family with more edge. A star link choker goes with crescent moons on other chains. A heart link choker is the gift version. Cross link is the gothic pick. Byzantine is dense and woven, and Lumachina, the snail-shell link, has the most texture of anything on the page. The satellite chokers, a fine cable with beads along it, are the only ones here meant for layering.

What size do I need?

Measure your neck where the choker will sit. Small fits 11 to 15 inches (28 to 38cm), Medium 13 to 17 inches (33 to 43cm), Large 15 to 19 inches (38 to 48cm). The 4 inch extender is included. Shaped links take a little more room than a plain chain, so if you measure at 15 or 17, take the larger size.

Which width should I get?

8mm across the link is the usual choker width for these; enough to show the shape, not enough to feel heavy after a day. 10mm and 12mm are chunky and sit as the only thing at the neck. The 2mm satellite chains are the exception and stack with a pendant necklace below.

Will it tarnish or turn my neck green?

No. The edges of a shaped link are where plating wears first, and there is no plating on the silver; it is solid 316L stainless steel. The gold is 18k plated over that steel. Nothing oxidises and nothing has copper in it.

Can I wear it in the shower?

Yes. Sleep in it, shower in it, swim in it. Salt sits in the Byzantine and Lumachina weaves, so rinse those in fresh water after the sea.

Is it hypoallergenic?

For most wearers, yes. A choker touches skin all the way round and a shaped link touches more of it than a plain one; we cut them in 316L stainless steel for that reason and no other grade.

How do I layer a fancy link choker?

The shaped link sits at the throat and everything under it should be plain: a 2mm cable at 45cm, a pendant on a 3mm chain at 50cm. Two shaped links stacked compete. Keep one metal.