Table of Contents
1. What Is A Figaro Chain?
2. History of The Figaro Chain
3. Why is the Figaro Chain Called that?
4. Is Figaro a Good Chain?
5. How Much is a Figaro Chain?
6. How Are Figaro Chains Made?
7. How Do You Wear a Figaro Chain?
8. How Do You Clean a Figaro Chain?
9. What’s Better Figaro or Cuban Link?
10. Are Figaro Chains Stylish?
11. What Are Figaro Chain Sizes?
12. How to Shorten a Figaro Chain?
13. Who Wears Figaro Chains?
14. What Figaro Necklace Means?
It’s quite probable that the Figaro chain is one of the oldest architectural wonders spanning over 2 centuries within the jewelry industry. What makes the distinction of the chain so much incomparable from its class of other competing chains on the market, is the signature fleshed out design. This complex style of the chain embraces its cultural narrative as the story and its artistry hasn’t changed. #figarochaynz
What Is A Figaro Chain?
The Figaro chain is one of the most uniquely made cable chains in the history of men’s fashion that has direct origins from Italy. The chain’s pattern has a combination of 3-5 small oval links that are attached to a 1-inch oblong link which flows in a group-like scenario.
The chain is so diverse, it has adapted to several other types of contemporary fashions of our day. That includes footwear, clothing, complimentary accessories, headwear, and much more. Today, the Figaro chain can be found in majority retail stores and jewelry establishments.
With this publication, we will attempt to uncover facts and history about the Figaro chain, as well as ways to maintain its luster. We hope you enjoy and find the information provided useful to apply to your own knowledge about this masterpiece, that is known only as, “The Figaro Chain”.
History of The Figaro Chain
The steady popular, “Figaro Chain” has an interesting history that continues to affect us today. During the turn of the 18th century, watching plays, shows or movies on a television set at home was not an afterthought. In fact, television and cinema wouldn’t be invented for the next 250 years until 1927 to be exact.
Instead, people would turn to the “walk-in” theater for a form of entertainment and leisure. We know this today in America as a “broadway show”, where theatrical performances would take place Midtown Manhattan, Ney York City.
Theaters hold spectacular events that tell stories of classical musicals and plays such as “Hamilton” or “The phantom of the Opera”, through the guise of actors and actresses. In this era, commercialization of items or brands were truly beneficial way to get the word out about businesses in theaters, known as, “marketing”.
Audiences would observe several amenities in these stage acts such as dance, art, costume, music, and drama. All forms were a combination of fashion which played a significantly small, but sneaky part that would eventually change the paradigm of what we think is in style called, “trends”. Like today, people admired their stage performers and the images they portrayed.
In Italy’s 18th century, up to this day, what we know as “Theater”, “Stage” or “Broadway” in America, is better known as “Opera” in Italy. The Italian audience would frequent these kind of theatrical events on occasion to enjoy musicals and dramas, similar to how we navigate the night club scene today, but well-confined.
The 2 little known playwrights called, “The Marriage of Figaro” and “The Barber of Seville” would become one most famous opera additions of the century with its star lead character, Figaro. The stage personality, Figaro, would someday inspire Italian jewelry makers to create, “The Figaro Chain”.
The opera was a staple for the opulent and well-to-do community of that time that attracted a generation. This resulted in the popularization of Figaro, and cemented the fate of the playwright that has a national affect within the jewelry industry, hence the Figaro Chain.
Why is the Figaro Chain Called that?
Is Figaro a Good Chain?
How Much is a Figaro Chain?
Sterling Silver Figaro Chain
The sterling silver Figaro chain contains a combined composition of 92.5% pure silver metal alloy with the remaining being ordinary metals. The shine appears more refined rather than that dull look with 100% silver that has a soft texture.
Since silver is much more accessible to jewelry manufacturers and it takes lesser ounces to produce, the chain can be purchased by anyone with a small budget to splurge on jewelry. The price of a sterling silver Figaro chain will cost you $150 – $200 each.
Sizes vary of your choice, but they can be sized as little as 4mm to 7mm being the best for max size. Here’s a list of Sterling silver Figaro chains that you can order right now that will be shipped to your door step in less than 24 hours, click here to see them.
Gold Figaro Chain
With the miniature amount of precious and standard metal material needed to craft a Figaro chain, they are widespread and available to the population. The percentage of pure gold used to make jewelry such as the Figaro is 58% – 75% gold at max when you purchase from a legitimate jewelry source.
How much is a 14k Figaro chain worth? A pristine 14k gold Figaro chain necklace would cost you $13,000 – 17,000 on the market. You can also buy a 14k yellow gold Figaro chain type that is much shiny once the sun lands on the surface of the chain. You can buy a gold Figaro chain at $600 – $17,000 each.
The gold and silver Figaro chain is fitted with a lobster clasp to hold properly around your neck or wrist if made as a bracelet. Here’s a list of gold Figaro chains from Amazon, click here.
How Are Figaro Chains Made?
The Figaro chain is one that has been in production for several decades. Huge retail markets use machinery rather than forging them by hand, its a streamlined product for the most part. The chain is produced in France, Italy. One particular country who sell them at an extremely low price is China.
Nonetheless, the process to manufacture Figaro design chains are a little different to the Cuban oval links The cylindrical pipe structural devices to spiral-bend required must be a quarter inch thick while the smaller solid cylinder pipes are for spiral bending the identical 3-5 ovals that are placed in a row.
The craftmanship is a wonder once it has been finished. It takes labor and time to complete a well made Figaro chain, but once its done, it looks very satisfying. To watch the step by step procedure is gratifying. No wonder handmade jewelry like this is expensive.
A Figaro chain is made with sustainable and precious metal alloys such as gold, silver, copper, zinc, etc, and manufactured using sophisticated industrial machinery. Here is a great demonstration video:
How Do You Wear a Figaro Chain?
You suppose to wear the Figaro chain around your neck which goes along the collar bone. The chain should meet in the middle area of your chest area, preferably 20′- 24′ inches long. The chain was made to fit majority kinds of clothing and shoe fashion brands.
The color white and lighter shades of hue has always been associated with the chain because of its soft styled nature. Footwear styles, such as, Swiss, Reebok, Puma, Fila, and New Balance are a few brands associated with the chain around the 90s. Since then, it has expanded into more urban cultures and fashions.
People often enjoy wearing the Figaro chain at parties, clubs, and several types of recreational settings. It’s typical for teenagers as young as 12 years old to wear the chain. Usually, these are given to one another as a birthday gift or kind gesture.
How Do You Clean a Figaro Chain?
How to Untangle a Figaro Chain Necklace?
Where to Store Figaro Chain?
If you don’t have a uniform area to store your chain, it can get lost or sometime stolen. Store them in a climate controlled environment to steer clear of oxidation and where dust may form. I suggest placing the chain in vacuum storage backs to remove excessive air if you plan to store them away for a long period of time. Last but not least, store them in a long rectangular jewelry box specifically for your chain type.
What’s Better Figaro or Cuban Link?
Both Figaro and Cuban links contain ovals where the pair have unique qualities. The difference between the two is Cuban links are consistent, flat, but thicker in style. Figaro oval links changes pattern positions every 3-5 ovals following the oblong oval link and are a bit thinner.
Are Figaro Chains Durable?
The Figaro chain is created with real precious metals that are either silver or gold material which mean its a long-lasting kind of chain. These particular alloys epitomize strength due to its nature for composition endurance.
However, Cuban links can arguably be said to be better because they are difficult to pull apart, while the Figaro links are made finer and delicate between 1-5mm, therefore, kind of easier to split apart. Although, if you manage to obtain an 8mm Figaro chain, it would be more difficult to break and much stronger.
Are Figaro Chains Stylish?
Some people wear the Figaro to make a fashion statement, while others put it on to look their best. You can wear all kinds of clothing brands with your chain, as well as pair or position them contrast to your shirt of option. Figaro chains are stylish, and here’s a couple of great ways to style your chain:
Wear Multiple Chains
You have a variety of chains that can be paired with your Figaro chain, such as Cuban, Curb, or Herringbone. You could also style your Figaro with a multiple of the same that express a hypnotic macho blend. The millimeter width is up to you, but I’d recommend the projected length size; 24′ 20′ 16′.
The size 24′ inch Figaro chain would fit compatibly half way on the lower chest area. The 20′ inch chain would be a little further above your upper mid chest area of the 24′ inch chain. At last, the size 16′ inch should lay near the collar bone above your 20′ inch chain perfectly.
The mixed or blending of chain style is a common fashion necessity among crowds who often attend events such as parties, clubs, concerts, etc. This style, amazingly is worn open chested by men, usually with an unbutton shirt.
Wearing chains in this manner can come off as a bit bold and flashy, but this only pertains to that person’s persona. Either if you wear multiple or a single chain, you represent a
Place the Chain Underneath Your Shirt
The second way to style the chain is by placing it underneath your shirt, therefore it can be seen around the collar. The hidden chain method brings more attention the face and neck area of the body. A well-designed chain, like the Figaro, was tailored to raise admiration at first glance. Being low-key with the hidden chain reveals the “toned down” mature side of a gentleman.
Add A Pendant to Your Chain
Styling a Figaro with pendants or medallions is casual but very extraordinary. Pendants aren’t only a way to add dapper to your chain, it tells a small narrative or clues about the person wearing the accessory. You’d find that some people love huge medallion pendants and others may prefer miniature pendants.
Why do people wear pendants on their chain or necklace? The pendant may be symbolic and means something to the wearer. Pendants can defy a personality or character about that individual. For instance, a lion head pendant could mean leadership or some cases ferociousness. Choose what you place on your Figaro wisely, it may be the thing that defines you.
You can put any type of pendant on a Figaro chain because the links are made thinner. The Figaro design is crafted less bulkier than others, therefore, most pendant can easily slide onto the cable. These days, pendants and medallions are fitted with a bigger attached loop hole on the top to make it effortless to slide on a chain.
What Are Figaro Chain Sizes?
The bigger the Figaro chain, the better defined the design becomes. The smaller the size, the greater your fashion style can blend with that interesting reflection. Most chain styles measure the extensive size for width using MM which stands for millimeters. A Figaro chain length can hang as low as 30′ inches.
In fact, the typical MM for a Figaro chain in width is 8 mm or millimeters. A reasonable children’s size Figaro chain would is around 3mm. A woman size ranges between 4-5mm and a guys size chain goes from 6 and up. The rational width of the chain is around 8mm. Here’s a list of sizes for the Figaro chain in MM:
- 1.2 mm
- 1.8 mm
- 2.6 mm
- 3.0 mm
- 4.0 mm
- 5.0 mm
- 6.0 mm
- 7.0 mm
- 8.0 mm
How to Shorten a Figaro Chain?
With the chain’s elaborate arrangement, there are no open ends to adjust the chain’s length because the links are solid enclosed. The only 2 open ends located on the chain is the lobster clamp and loop to lock the chain in place. The Figaro’s chain links are much more delicate than other styles crafted in the past, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to shorten them.
You have two simple solutions; Take your chain to an expert jewelry manufacture to have it shortened. Second, perform the task yourself at home with three separate tools. To shorten a Figaro chain at home, you would need wire clippers to clip the area for shortening, enclose the links back together with a wire crimper, and use a blow torch to melt and mend the metal alloys back together. Don’t forget your safety heat and fire resistant gloves and eye protection equipment.
I would personally consult with a professional jewelry maker to have this procedure completed effectively and safe. Most people who apply these steps might not use a blow torch to mend the links back. Instead, they’d enclose the links with the wire crimp tool and totally ignore the mending process. Shortening your chain will come at a cost, but at least it will be done correctly.
Who Wears Figaro Chains?
The Figaro has been fairly affiliated with Caucasian men of suburbia America. Nonetheless, All groups, genders, and races in suburban, metropolitan, and urban areas of the world wear the Figaro chain. The reason for popular demand is due to mass marketing of the culture among young adults and its Italian roots.
The mass appeal spread quickly due to prominent retail chain stores selling the chain such as Wal-Mart, Zales, JcPenny and several well known establishments. Since mass production from place such as China, chains can be produce a warehouse full of these chains in minutes. They are available more than ever, extremely affordable, and available for consumers virtually anywhere.
What Figaro Necklace Means?
The chain significantly means masculinity, boldness, culture, and advantage style that has origins way back to 18 century Italy. The Figaro chain is based off the romantic playwright turned opera classic called, “The Marriage of Figaro” and “The Barber of Seville”.
Today, a Figaro can be bought at affordable measures or very expensive prices all across the globe. The inspirational playwright that inspired the entire jewelry industry, has paved the way we look at designer chains.
Do you own one of these chains? Tell us, what does a Figaro chain mean to you?