The single loop-in-loop chain is one of the oldest chain styles. Some of the oldest examples date back to 3,000 BCE from the burials at Ur. The simple loop-in-loop style stayed static until around the time of the Hellenistic period. During this time the Greeks and Etruscans expanded on the single loop-in-loop to create a double loop-in-loop, pinched loop-in-loop, two- way double loop-in-loop, three-way double loop-in-loop, “S” Link, woven loop, and other variants. The chains found from this time often have something elaborate about them, either a clasp or a pendant. Here are some examples:

Classic Loop-in-Loop Chain

©The Trustees of the British Museum

Pinched Loop Chain

©The Trustees of the British Museum

Double loop-in-loop Chain

Gold Necklace with Crescent 1st – 3rd century CE
The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Triple Loop-in-Loop Chain

Gold chain necklace with dolphin-head terminals 5th century CE
©The Trustees of the British Museum

Three-Way Double Loop-in-Loop Chain

Hoxne Hoard, England, 4th century CE
©The Trustees of the British Museum

Round-Sectioned Loop-in-Loop Chain

Gold Chain 5th century CE
©The Trustees of the British Museum

Double Figure-of-Eight Chain

1st – 2nd century CE
©The Trustees of the British Museum

Single Figure-of-Eight Chain

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

“s” link Chain

  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • © The Trustees of the British Museum
Left to Right: Emerald & Variscite Gold Necklace 3rd century CE, close-up image of a chain with pendant, it likely had gems or pearls in the spaces between the loops.

The “s” link is found on many bead and chain necklaces. However, according to Ogden, this was not an ideal form for a connector as it was not nearly as secure as the loop-in-loop chains which are soldered. Soldering was possible but difficult as it had to be done after the necklace was assembled. It was also not nearly as strong, something of concern given the expense of gems and in the case of some necklaces, the weight.

How to make loop-in-loop chain