Chain Necklaces
1920s Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century Unknown Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Opal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Carnelian, Turquoise, Gold Plate
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1950s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal, Bronze
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1970s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
1980s Italian Etruscan Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
1980s Swiss Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
1950s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Early 20th Century European Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century European Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
1960s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1970s Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
20th Century Unknown Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s British George V Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
1980s French Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Chain Necklaces
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Brass, Gilt Metal, Silver
1980s English Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Early 20th Century Scottish Art Deco Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s French Chain Necklaces
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1920s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Gold
Early 20th Century English Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Byzantine Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold...
20th Century Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
Early 20th Century English Chain Necklaces
Rose Gold, 9k Gold
Mid-20th Century French Artisan Chain Necklaces
Gold
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
1970s Central American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Brass, Bronze
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Bronze
1960s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1970s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Platinum
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, 18k Gold
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
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.