Chain Necklaces
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s Indian Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
10k Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
20th Century German Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Classical Roman Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 24k Gold
20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Romanian Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
20th Century French Artisan Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Retro Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Brass
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Onyx, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Late Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s French Chain Necklaces
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Onyx, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
2010s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
1960s Canadian Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Brass
1970s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
2010s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Belgian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Chain Necklaces
Vintage chain necklaces can make a statement on their own. What’s better than eye-catching chains of yellow gold or subtle silver to accessorize with everything from a designer evening dress to a comfortable sweatshirt?
Personal ornament in general has been around for eons. Ancient Egyptians designed jewelry and wore necklaces, rings and other accessories, and the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber in 1922 had the greatest impact on Art Deco jewelry. When chain necklaces first took on some visibility in ancient civilizations, these items weren’t exactly democratic.
Chain necklaces were accessories that were relegated strictly to royal families and the upper class. In ancient times, pendant necklaces conferred prestige, for example. Wealthy Greeks and Romans opted for gold and silver necklaces that featured ornate pendants and semiprecious stones. By the Renaissance period, the pendant had replaced the brooch as the most worn type of jewelry. Pendant necklaces were commonplace, or pendants were simply strung on long gold chains.
Thankfully, jewelry became more accessible over time. And trends have come and gone, but the popularity of chain necklaces today owes in part to hip-hop culture. Big, chunky gold chains and diamond necklaces were the order of the day in publicity shoots and on album covers for rappers in the early 1980s onward, and a gold chain is still a mainstay in the ever-evolving and broadening hip-hop culture as we know it.
In our modern era, a number of chain-link necklaces are trending, worn alone or layered. The stylish links that have passed the test of time include oval links, paper-clip chains and more. The best way to discover your perfect fit is to zero in on a particular name and type of link.
While it was once key to accessorizing for a formal event, a vintage chain necklace now adds a fresh dynamic to any outfit at any time of day. Find yours on 1stDibs.