Chain Necklaces
Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Victorian Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Rock Crystal, Silver
20th Century Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Retro Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
1990s American Chain Necklaces
Tiger's Eye, Sterling Silver
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Late Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1950s French Byzantine Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt Metal
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
20th Century Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Baroque Chain Necklaces
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
20th Century French Retro Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Victorian Chain Necklaces
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Gold
1980s Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Portuguese Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s British Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century British Classical Greek Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
Early 20th Century Italian Gothic Revival Chain Necklaces
Silver
1970s Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
1980s European Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Czech Edwardian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1960s British Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Moonstone, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century French Modernist Chain Necklaces
Chrysophrase, Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Russian Edwardian Antique Chain Necklaces
Rose Gold, 14k Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
20th Century Unknown Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1950s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal, Gold Plate, Base Metal
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.