The weakest link

Hurray, I finally finished the second of two identical sterling silver bracelets. Chain Maille bracelets to be exact. If you're not familiar with Chain Maille, it is also called "Mail Armour" as it was used to make protective garments of armour in the Dark Ages, High Middle Ages and during the Renaissance. You can read some history about Chain Maille here.

Chain Maille jewellery is made from links (or jump rings) that are linked together (using small pliers) to create necklaces, bracelets, earrings, you name it. The end result is very beautiful and very strong and durable. Getting there is another story.


The first bracelet took me a total of about 6 hours to complete within a span of several days. The second bracelet took me even longer ( 10 hours maybe?) because I messed up half way through the bracelet and had to undo several rows of the mistake and start over. What a pain in the you know what!! Argh!

Anyway, both bracelets are now complete and I can send them off to Greece to the woman that ordered them from me. Chain Maille jewellery is not something I make very often due to the cost of the materials (ahem, customs and duty fees, shipping fees, weight of silver) and because of the duration it takes to make it.

Here is a photo of the finished product. Beautiful! It's called a "European 4-in-1" (4 rows in 1 bracelet). There are so many different styles and patterns that you can make just by following the detailed instructions that arrive with your supplies.


Check out my Etsy shop for another style of Chain Maille bracelet called the "3-in-3" bracelet. I've also added a genuine jade laughing Buddha charm on the bracelet for some visual interest and charm. Pardon the pun!