Does adding to many non-maille elements take away from it being maille?

[The Nerd of The Rings]

Firstly I understand this may be a contentious topic, and it is in no way an attack on anyone that likes to embellish their creations. It's something that has bugged me for a while and I'm generally curious what other people think about it, or logic behind it.

This comes more from pictures that get posted to various chainmaille groups I see on Facebook then anything I've actually seen here. Specifically though with adding beads to rings/weaves/designs to the point that you can no longer recognize what the weave is. I would say it mostly happens with shaggy loops, but I've also seen it on helm, half persian, and other weaves. I understand that if the beads weren't there it would be chainmaille so even with the beads it still is technically chainmaille, but is there a point where it should be considered a beaded piece and not a chainmaille piece? Like if there are so many other elements to it that you can't make out the weave, does that take away from it being chainmaille?

 

[Phoenix]

In the kindest way possible, does it matter? One who makes maille for armour could potentially say none of the jewellery or chains are actually maille anyway, with or without embellishment. Purists may say 'chain only' and the scale worker says 'what about my work?' which could actually be more historical, especially with leather scale.

Are you chasing historical accuracy? Making a thing you like? Making to sell? These all will influence what you make and what you choose to call it. But I doubt it's anyone's place to tell you you're wrong.