Chain Necklaces
1950s American Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1940s Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, White Gold
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s American Artisan Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s German Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Topaz, White Gold, 14k Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Moonstone, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Chain Necklaces
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Blue Topaz, Peridot, Garnet, Citrine, Amethyst, Yellow Gold, White Gold,...
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
Early 1900s British Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Tanzanite, White Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
20th Century Luxembourgish Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Classical Greek Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Silver
1960s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1890s French Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Brass
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Chain Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Peridot, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
Late 19th Century European Antique Chain Necklaces
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s French Edwardian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
1970s American Etruscan Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Mid-20th Century Swiss Modernist Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Early 1900s Antique Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century European Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k 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.