The Cuban vs. Curb debate has been one of the most popular stylization questions about gold jewelry. Because gold chain manufacturing has become much more technologically advanced than in generations before, we have tons of different styles of chains widely available today.
One of the most popular chain styles of all time, the Cuban Curb Chain has dominated the industry for decades. It is a very sought after style of chain due to its manly and chunky design. It is often handmade using an incredibly taxing process of twisting rounded wire around a cylindrical device, to create a coil-like shape, and then hamming the chain on a flat surface.
As the rounded wire is flattened, the chain will start to resemble that of Cuban link. Now, depending on how flat the jeweler goes will be the final distinction between a true Cuban Chain and a Curb Chain. The thicker, rounder, more domed the links are, the more the chain will resemble a “Cuban”. The flatter, less round/domed shaped links are what is called a “Curb” link.
Characteristics of a Cuban Link Chain:
Style: Rounded, thicker, and heavier. The links are oval with a slightly rounded top and bottom, which makes the chain look more three-dimensional.
Appearance: Has a bold, chunky, luxurious look. The links are tightly interlocked, giving it a smooth and uniform pattern.
Weight: Heavier than a curb chain of the same length and width because of its thickness and tighter links.
Common Use: Popular in hip-hop culture and among people who want a statement chain. Often worn solo as the centerpiece and with pave set diamonds as well.
Characteristics of a Curb Chain:
Style: Flatter links compared to Cuban. Often “diamond cut” to catch the light and give it more of a shine than the non “diamond cut” Cuban.
Appearance: Sleek, classic, and understated (compared to it’s “louder” counterpart). Because the links are flatter, it catches light better and becomes shinier. Less bulky in the smaller sizes but as the width increases the bulkiness outweighs the sleekness and becomes a statement piece like its Cuban counterpart.
Weight: Lighter than a Cuban link at the same size since it has less gold volume per link. The links are also wider, leaving more spacing and less gold.
Common Use: Considered more versatile. Often paired with pendants, but can also be worn solo.
Photo Comparison:
Here are some side-by-side visuals that highlight the differences between Cuban (Miami Cuban) chains and curb (flat curb) chains.
From what you can see:
- The Cuban chains tend to have thicker, more rounded links that are tightly interlocked, giving a bold, chunky appearance.
- The curb chains tend to have flatter, more open links that lie closer to the skin and reflect light across flat surfaces.