Antique Silver Guard Chain Necklace
Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Chain Necklaces
Silver
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Crystal
Antique 1890s Belle Époque Beaded Necklaces
Silver
Antique Early 1800s Empire Pendant Necklaces
Silver, Enamel, Mixed Metal
Antique 1890s European Belle Époque Beaded Necklaces
Silver
Vintage 1960s American Pendant Necklaces
Silver Plate
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches
Amethyst, Pearl, 15k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1970s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Silver
20th Century Japanese Modern Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 1780s French Georgian Pocket Watches
Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pocket Watches
Gilt Metal
Antique 1860s English Victorian Pocket Watches
Silver
Early 20th Century German Pocket Watches
Sterling Silver, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Agate, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass
Antique 1880s American Victorian Pocket Watches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Evening Bags and Minaudières
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Recent Sales
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Silver
Antique 1880s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 1880s British Late Victorian Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 1880s British Late Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
Antique 1880s British Late Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1800s British Georgian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s French Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Silver
Antique 1870s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Chain Necklaces
Silver
Antique 19th Century British Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Chain Necklaces
Silver
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Silver
Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Chain Necklaces
Moonstone, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1800s British Georgian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1800s British Georgian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Victorian Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Multi-Strand Necklaces
18k Gold
Antique 1880s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Chain Necklaces
Other, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
Finding the Right chain-necklaces for You
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.