Chain Necklaces
1980s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
1970s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Baroque Chain Necklaces
Base Metal
1970s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Victorian Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Onyx, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century British Regency Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Peridot, Gold
Early 1900s French Belle Époque Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, Platinum, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
1990s Unknown Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
Late 20th Century British Chain Necklaces
Gold
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 14k Gold
1980s American Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, Indicolite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s British Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Pearl
1980s Italian Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modernist Chain Necklaces
Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
1990s French Modern Chain Necklaces
Brass
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Opal, Vermeil, Silver, Sterling Silver
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, White Gold
Late 20th Century German Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Multi-gemstone, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, 1...
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century German Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Chain Necklaces
1990s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Bronze
Late 20th Century Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1990s French Modern Chain Necklaces
Base Metal
Late 20th Century Dutch Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century European Chain Necklaces
1980s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
1980s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 1900s French Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1990s Greek Classical Greek Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Chain Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces
White Gold
1970s French Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
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.