Chain Necklaces
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s British Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1990s American Chain Necklaces
Citrine, Diamond, Sterling Silver
1990s American Chain Necklaces
Carnelian, Diamond, Sterling Silver
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Regency Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces
Opal, Pearl, Gold-filled
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century English Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
1980s Unknown Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1990s French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century English Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Egyptian Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century British Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s British Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1960s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Early 20th Century English Chain Necklaces
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
1940s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
Late 20th Century German Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Greek Greek Revival Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century American Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
20th Century Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s American Baroque Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Moonstone, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Central American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Brass, Bronze
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Retro Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century German Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
1970s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Unknown Native American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Coral, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s North Korean Modernist Chain Necklaces
1990s Italian Byzantine Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1920s English Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver, Enamel
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
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.