Chain Necklaces
1990s French Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1970s Finnish Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Platinum
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s North American Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Chain Necklaces
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Chain Necklaces
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s European Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Multi-gemstone, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1970s French Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century European Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
2010s Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Danish Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Early 2000s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, 10k Gold
Early 2000s French Chain Necklaces
Silver Plate
2010s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 9k Gold, White Gold
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Malachite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Early 2000s Italian Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Moonstone, Multi-gemstone, Rainbow Moonstone, Go...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s British Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1950s American Artisan Vintage Chain Necklaces
Other
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Chain Necklaces
Tanzanite, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary North American Modernist Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Beryl, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Aesthetic Movement Chain Necklaces
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Chain Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Peridot, Vermeil, Palladium, Sterling Silver
19th Century Thai Contemporary Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k 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.