Description
A Brunnian link is a set of loops which are connected in such a way that if any of the loops is removed, the others are not connected. For more information, see here, or my web page. This model is one loop of a Brunnian link. You need between 10 and 12 loops plus a clasp for a bracelet, and between 27 and 45 loops plus a clasp for a necklace. You have to buy the clasp separately here for a silver one. Slide off the two small figure-of-eight loops, which you don't need. I haven't been able to find the same type of solid gold one, but you can find a gold surfaced (this is thicker than plated) bolt ring here, which will work, but isn't quite right because of the projecting loop.
For a necklace each loop adds 19 millimetres to the length, and the clasp adds another 14 millimetres for the silver one or 6 millimetres for the gold one. Of course if you buy enough loops for a long necklace, you can remove some when wearing a dress with a higher neckline.
For a bracelet, measure around the wearer's wrist with a tape measure. For a wrist up to 165 (silver) or 158 millimetres (gold) circumference you need 10 loops, for up to 184 (silver) or 173 (gold) millimeters you need 11 loops, and for up to 203 (silver) or 196 (gold) millimeters you need 12 loops, plus the clasp in all cases. This isn't the same as the calculation for a necklace because the greater curvature of a bracelet makes it stand away from the wrist a bit. If buying a bracelet for a child, size it for an adult, use as many loops as needed to fit the child's wrist, and set the others aside to be added as the child grows.
This movie shows how to hook in the next loop in the chain, and the pictures above show the silver bracelet on a model's wrist and how the clasp joins the ends of the chain. The rotatable view is the actual model, which is a single loop.
Cast silver and gold are quite soft: take care not to crush the loops as they will deform under pressure. If not too badly bent, they can be bent back into shape with care. You can make the metal harder by heating it up and quenching it, but you need an expert to do that: if you heat the metal a bit too much, it will melt.
The loops are available in bronze, silver or gold, in various finishes. The price quoted by i.materialise does not include shipping or VAT which will be added at checkout.
For more information about me and my puzzles, see my web page at http://www.zen224037.zen.co.uk.
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