The chain is like the one posted above. What I am seeing on my chain is the 2nd one from the right is blackish on my chain otherwise its just like the above picture. There are two of these on the chain if I counted correctly. Park tool calls them replacement rivets. Do these come on a new chain? My guess would be, no, but I really dont know.
Could something be wrong with this chain and it not be evident examining the way the chain loops around the cassette and chain rings? The rollers are all there and not bent. The pins look flush. No bending in the links or rivets from just examining it. I really cant see any visible defects on the chain at all. Length looks ok from using the method of looking at the rear derailleur pulleys and their shape. Could too tight a chain or too loose a chain make that type of noise? I know it would skip but mine never does skip. It shifts incredibly smooth.