book chain | ˈbu̇k ˈchān
noun
A Victorian style of chain that is made in solid gold or sterling silver, in which each link is a rectangular folded piece of metal resembling a book
The term book chain refers to a type of jewelry chain, typically made of solid gold or sterling silver, for necklaces that first became popular during the Victorian era and remained a sought-after style of necklace chain through the Edwardian era. With book chain necklaces, each link of the necklace chain is solid and rectangular in shape and resembles the appearance of a mini-book, thus the chain’s telltale name. During the Victorian and Edwardian eras, book chain necklaces were popular chain choices for cameos, lockets, and many other types of necklaces that contained chains. The book chain style of necklace chain saw a revival during the Art Deco period of the 1930s and 1940s. Now in the 21st century, some jewelry pieces are seeing a resurgence of the book chain style. Many of these jewelry pieces that are popular today are of the neo-Victorian style or otherwise inspired by Victorian era jewelry.
