Chain Chain Chain Pendant
Late 20th Century American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
1990s French Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1980s Chain Necklaces
10k Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
Opal, Gold-filled, Bronze
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century German Chain Necklaces
Coral, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1920s French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Jade, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1960s French Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Indian Victorian Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Silver
Vintage 1970s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
Early 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
Iolite, Ruby, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Chain Necklaces
Gold, Gold-filled, Yellow Gold
1990s French Chain Necklaces
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
Opal, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
Opal, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Silver
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Gold-filled, Silver, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Emerald, Gold-filled, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Opal, Ruby, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Bracelets
White Diamond, Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver, Bronze
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Medieval Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Brown Diamond, White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, 22k Gold, Sterling Silver, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
20th Century Chain Necklaces
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Ruby, White Diamond, Yellow Gold, Bras...
Early 2000s Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Chain Necklaces
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Chain Chain Chain Pendant For Sale on 1stDibs
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Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right Necklaces for You
We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners. Today, Van Cleef necklaces, Tiffany necklaces and Cartier necklaces are some of the most popularly searched designer necklaces on 1stDibs.
Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers.
In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs.
For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone.
Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage David Webb necklaces — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Dior, Chanel and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023A tennis chain is called a tennis chain due to the history of tennis bracelets. The name comes from an incident involving tennis player Chris Evert. In 1978, at the US Open, she lost a diamond-set link bracelet during a match and asked the officials to pause the action while she looked for it. People have referred to bracelets and chains of a similar style by the term "tennis" ever since. On 1stDibs, explore a range of tennis chains.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, a curb chain is not the same as a Miami Cuban chain. A curb chain is thinner and flatter than a Miami Cuban chain, which is rounder, bolder and thicker. Miami Cuban chain links are also more closely linked to one another. You’ll find a selection of both curb and Miami Cuban chains on 1stDibs.
- What is a Cuban chain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021Cuban chain refers to a type of jewelry design, which interlocks either round or oval gold rings together making a sleek unison pattern. This pattern interlocks all of the round or oval rings together which will lay flat on your chest or wrist. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage Cuban chain jewelry.
- What is an Albert chain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021An Albert chain is a watch chain that traditionally has a bar on one end that is used to attach the chain to a vest buttonhole. The chain's other end has a small swivel clasp that can be attached to a pocket watch. It's named after a type of watch chain worn by Prince Albert during the Victorian era. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage Albert watch chains.
- What is a foxtail chain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A foxtail chain is a specific pattern of chain link where two rows of flat oval links face into each other at a 45 degree angle.
- What is a guard chain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021Guard chains are durable long chains that have a decorative clip on one end. You can use the clip as a clasp to keep the necklace in place.
- What is a chain bracelet?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021Chain bracelets are constructed by joining links together to form a band with a clasp fastening. Preceding the adornments of Ancient Egypt and elsewhere, the people of the Prehistoric era likely wore the decorative accessory, fashioning it from shells and fish bones. This style of bracelet is typically made of gold or silver. Find a collection of antique and vintage style chain bracelets on 1stDibs today.
- What is a book chain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A book chain is a type of antique Victorian jewelry designed for lockets, cameos, chains, and necklaces. Each link in a book chain is a rectangular folded piece of metal that resembles a book and is made of solid gold or sterling silver. During the late Art Deco era of the 1930s and 1940s, book chain jewelry was popular during the Victorian jewelry resurgence (“Victorian Revival”). Shop for vintage jewelry from all over the world on 1stDibs.
- What is a cable chain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021A cable chain is a style of chain with symmetrical uniform links attached to each other. They are used to hang pendants and are often round in style. Find a variety of cable chains and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
- What is a wheat chain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A wheat chain is a piece of jewelry created with four strands of twisted oval links. It is also called the Spiga chain. The links in a wheat chain are woven together which creates a gorgeous and eye-catching chain. Shop a range of antique wheat chains on 1stDibs.
- What is a double chain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021The double chain stitch is a version of the chain stitch in which two stitches are worked side by side and interlocked. The double chain is made by bringing the needle out at point A and then inserting it at point B. At point C, the needle is released, leaving an open chain stitch.
- What is a Rolo Chain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Also known as belcher chains, rolo chains are round, inter-connected links. The outer edges of the chains are typically rounded and the inside is usually flat.
- What is a tennis chain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A tennis chain refers to the types of necklaces often worn by tennis players. The term itself dates back to the 1980s. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of vintage and contemporary tennis chains and bracelets from some of the world’s top sellers.
- What is a body chain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A body chain is an accessory made of metal that is meant to be worn around the body. Typically, body chains are worn across one's chest, back or around one's hips.
- What is a mariner chain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A mariner chain is sometimes referred to as an anchor chain and is considered the strongest type of chain. Each oval link is the same size and has a middle bar that provides additional strength to the link. They are arranged in a typical horizontal fashion. Find vintage and contemporary mariner chains from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021The best chain for a diamond pendant is really a matter of preference. There are various features to look out for when you’re shopping for a chain for your diamond pendant — durability-wise, a cable chain will be strong and versatile for everyday wear. On 1stDibs, find a range of antique and vintage chain necklaces and pendant jewelry today.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023There is no single best style of chain for a pendant. Generally, simple chains are the best option if you intend to add a pendant. Choose from varieties like the cable chain, the rope chain, the box chain and the ball chain. Whatever style you choose, double-check that the thickness of the necklace will work with the bail of your pendant. Explore a wide range of chain necklaces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023Yes, you can put some pendants on an omega chain. Due to the thickness of omega chains, a pendant must have a large enough bail to fit over it. The bail is the piece of hardware that slips over a chain to hold a pendant in place. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of omega chains.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021The best gold chain for a pendant is a matter of preference. While choosing a chain make sure that the chain is not too thick for the size of the pendant, and it is strong enough. Wheat chains and box chains are good choices due to their sturdiness and flexibility. On 1stDibs, you can find a variety of gold chain and pendant options to choose from.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023There is no single strongest style of chain for a pendant. Curb, cable and trace chains are generally strong options. However, the quality of a necklace's craftsmanship will also determine its strength. Explore a wide range of chains from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
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