Chainmaille (originally just called Mail) is the is a type of armor consisting of metal rings linked together in a specific pattern or weave. Designed to be flexible and able to stop a sword of knife from cutting the skin. There are obvious protection problems with chainmaille, since it is flexible, chainmaille offered little protection against blunt weapons.However, since early physicians were able to set bones, but were unable to stop simple infection; chainmaille offered an obvious advantage to one’s health.

Developed independently in various parts of the world (Europe, Japan, and Persia) during the First Century BCE, many different styles of patterns and weaves were developed. Even today people are inventing (or more specifically re-discovering) new ways to link metal rings into unique patterns.

The word chainmaille first started being used in the 1700’s by the French. Many today still prefer the French spelling of chainmaille to set itself apart from the horrors of the “chain mail letter”.

We take chainmaille weaves and create sterling silver jewelry. There are many websites that make chainmaille armor, so we feel no need to make any armor. Besides, since we work exclusively with sterling silver the cost to make armor would make it un-affordable to all but the very wealthy.

The cost of chainmaille has two basic factors, the cost of the rings (or more specifically, the cost of the wire to make the rings, for we make our own rings), and the type of weave used. The more complex the weave, the more time it takes to make the piece of jewelry.

The care of chainmaille jewelry is the same as for the rest of our sterling silver jewelry, and is described in our About the Jewelry page.