Hand chains have taken over as a must-have accessory, according to Honey by Kait founder Kaitlyn O’Neal. Her brand’s hand chains became a viral sensation in 2024, with O’Neal predicting that the trend will continue into 2025, as she introduces new designs to keep up with demand.
O’Neal, whose jewelry brand has made waves on TikTok, has solidified herself as a key player in identifying jewelry trends. As Honey by Kait celebrates its five-year anniversary, the brand has expanded with capsule collections and plans to move into fine jewelry. However, it’s the hand chains that really stood out this year.
“It was our No. 1 best-seller of 2024. It sold out five times. It’s been absolutely incredible,” says O’Neal. “People are just obsessed.”
The Classic Gold bezel hand chain ($130) has been one of the brand’s top sellers. Honey by Kait’s first hand chain was a three-bezel piece in its Swiss Alps collection, which sold out immediately. To keep up with the trend, O’Neal and her team quickly released two new versions: Mediterranean Bleu for the summer and Emerald Green in the fall as part of the Tennis Team drop.
O’Neal has received countless positive messages from customers, sharing how much they love the hand chains and how they often get compliments. “It’s so rewarding to know that these subtle gold details make our clients feel confident and beautiful,” she says.
The latest addition to the hand chain collection is part of the Arctic Collection, designed to be stacked with bracelets. O’Neal explains how this collection was inspired by her trip to Sweden in January 2024, where she experienced temperatures as low as minus-40°C, but found the beauty of the frozen landscape to be awe-inspiring.
The collection features cubic zirconia stones in different sizes, along with 14k gold vermeil to offer high quality at an entry-level price. The hand chain in this collection has round bezels along the wrist, with one stone in either a marquise or rectangle shape across the hand.
O’Neal also included two tennis bracelets in the Arctic collection, designed with round bezel stones to provide a fresh look for this classic style.
“These pieces are perfect for the winter season,” she says. “I can already envision them being worn for festive occasions like Christmas and New Year’s, and they’re ideal for building a stack for 2025 or elevating an existing collection.”