Chain Necklaces
1990s Chain Necklaces
1970s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century British Artisan Chain Necklaces
Gold
1970s French Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Bronze
1980s American Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, Indicolite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1990s French Chain Necklaces
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
1990s Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Danish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Byzantine Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modernist Chain Necklaces
Gold
Late 20th Century British Romantic Chain Necklaces
9k Gold
Late 20th Century British Egyptian Revival Chain Necklaces
White Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
Late 20th Century British Regency Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Peridot, Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Unknown Late Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Onyx, Yellow Gold
1990s French Modern Chain Necklaces
Base Metal
1980s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Jade, 18k Gold
1970s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Blue Topaz, Tourmaline, Multi-gemstone, Citrine, Amethyst, 1...
1990s French Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Bronze
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1970s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Chain Necklaces
1990s Chain Necklaces
1990s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
Late 20th Century German Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Etruscan Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1970s British Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century British Chain Necklaces
Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Moonstone, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s British Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
1980s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
Late 20th Century French Baroque Chain Necklaces
Base Metal
1980s Austrian Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1990s French Retro Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Base Metal
1970s French Artisan Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt 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.