Chain Necklaces
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1830s Unknown Antique Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Yellow Gold
1990s German Chain Necklaces
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modernist Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Late 19th Century British Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Swedish Victorian Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Byzantine Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Italian Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century French Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Platinum
19th Century British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Egyptian Revival Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s North American Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1970s French Artisan Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century Thai Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Swiss Modernist Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 19th Century Russian Russian Empire Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver, Enamel, Gilt Metal
2010s French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1840s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Garnet, 14k Gold, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow 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.