Chain Necklaces
1970s Finnish Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
1980s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s North American Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
1930s Czech Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
1990s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Modernist Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1970s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1990s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1950s French Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Bronze, Gilt Metal
1990s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Brazilian Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Spinel, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Spanish Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Mixed Metal
Late 20th Century British Regency Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Peridot, Gold
1990s French Chain Necklaces
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1990s American Chain Necklaces
Citrine, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Gold
Early 1900s French Belle Époque Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Swedish Modern Chain Necklaces
Silver
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Portuguese Artisan Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1950s European Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
1970s Mexican Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1980s French Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1930s Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Pearl, Platinum
1960s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
Early 20th Century European Chain Necklaces
Quartz, 18k Gold
1980s French Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s American Baroque Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
1980s Austrian Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1990s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
1960s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1990s American Modernist Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
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.