World Gold Council Trend Report: Gold chain jewellery comes in bolder shapes and sizes this season

After being relegated to the sidelines, the gold chain has come into its own as an iconic design theme.

In simple terms, a chain is a series of connected links that is usually made of metal. Having both practical and aesthetic applications, the gold chain has been extensively used in jewellery as a way to wrap the body.

With the development of new technologies and design trends, it has evolved into many forms, textures and patterns, giving illusion of lightness or heaviness.

Today, the gold chain is basking in the limelight.

It was a major attraction at Vicenza Fair, one of the biggest trade events of the jewellery industry, and picked up by trend spotters as the next must-have.

Stripped off embellishments, it makes strong style statements that range from funky to elegant, matching every wardrobe imaginable.

Lama Al Saheb, PR Manager of World Gold Council, explained,

'It is now commonplace to find chains as necklaces, bracelets and anklets without the de rigueur pendants or charms. A whole new range of jewellery has emerged with the use of the gold chain as main motif and we will definitely see a lot more variations in years ahead'.

The links come in shiny, matte, or highly textured finish, sometimes interspersed with enamel coated links.

Their shapes range from organic to geometric in varying sizes - from very fine to chunky or combination.

The monotony of the chain is broken by multiple design patterns using different hues of gold such as white, pink and yellow.

'Versatility has always been the main value proposition of the gold chain. A single piece can have the same stunning effect with jeans and simple shirt or an elegant cocktail dress depending on how it is worn. We observe a lot of creativity now in making the gold chain a staple feature in major gold jewellery collections across the globe,' Al Saheb concludes.