Hip Hop chains had their humble beginnings in the jumbo sized rope chains, also known as dookie chains 28 or so years ago. They are an iconic symbol of hip hop’s past.People wear dookie rope chains today as a way to honor hip hop’s past. They started out as solid chains back in the day and eventually everyone who could not afford the solid rope was wearing a hollow version. Not only were rap and hip hop enthusiasts wearing them but also the deejay artists from Jamaica whose art form was called “Dance Hall” which was a Jamaicanized rap pioneered by the likes of King Yellowman, Shabba Ranks. and others.
Other styles of chain became popular in their over sized versions such as the Curb link or Cuban link and Figaro link. These also came out in hollow versions and worked well for hip hop pendants with flatter bails that could not over the wide cylindrical profile of the dookie chains. All these types of hip hop jewelry were only available in yellow gold during the 80s. In the nineties is when the iced out hip hop phenomenon took over and white became the color of choice for hip hop chains to mimic platinum. There are now hundreds of styles of hip hop but some of the most well known are bullet chains, military ball chains, Gucci link chains and prong and bezel set CZ chains. Hip hop artists like Snoop Dogg and DMC Run pioneered certain styles of chain and now those styles named after them are among some of the most popular.Chain lengths run from 20 inches to 40 inches in length. Hip hop pendants are meant to hang way down the torso for maximum visibility and swing to catch the most attention.
Hip hop chains come in a variety of metals. In the precious metals Platinum and 18kt gold are the most prestigious. Platinum can become quite heavy since its specific gravity is highest among precious metals. It is some 20% denser and therefore heavier than 18kt gold and would wreak havoc on the strongest necks if they were to made in solid links in the size of some of the old hollow dookie chains that were some 20 to 30mm in width. Platinum chains are more than double the price of similar 14kt and 18kt gold chains because platinum chains of a similar size contain way more precious metal. platinum is typically 95% pure platinum whereas 14k is 58% pure gold and 18kt is 75% pure gold. Platinum being denser will also weigh more and prices are calculated per unit weight. Nothing beats platinum’s ability to take a great finish. Platinum has a much longer polishing process but doesn’t need to be plated like gold does and retains its whiteness and polish for far longer.
For most hip hop enthusiaists, platinum hip hop chains are out of the question and most white metal chains sold as hip hop chains are rhodium plated silver or base metal. Since Rhodium plating is essentially a platinum plating, many of these inexpensive chains may not have the heft of platinum but they sure do look like platinum
Hip Hop chains have come along way from yellow gold dookie chain era.The iced out look even in chains continues unabated as new styles keep coming out. The hip hop influence can be seen in mainstream designers like david Yurman and John hardy. They both have extensive mens’ jewelry lines and hip hop influences can be clearly seen in their chain collections. David Yurman’s classic box link chain continues to add bigger sizes to the collection as does John Hardy to his classic chevron style chain and bracelet collections for men.
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