John Hardy Sterling Silver & 18K Gold Pave Diamond Classic Chain Square Earrings

The stunningly complex classic chain technique is a tribute to the ancient chain weaving practiced in Bali since the 19th century when the country was still divided into eight kingdoms, each king competing for status with the beauty of his castles, queens and jewelry. The first of our jewelry makers was the grandson of a king's jewelry maker, bringing with him the knowledge of the chain, as had been passed down to him. The sterling silver links on the classic chain are hand-woven, annealed for a smooth, supple drape and often plated with rhodium to lend a sheen to the metal. The handcrafting yields a chain that is soft and amazingly comfortable to wear. First introduced at John Hardy in the 1980s, the motif has evolved to also include the carved chain motif.