Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Black Diamond, Quartz, Diamond, White Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Modernist Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Diamond, Sapphire, Sterling Silver, Silver
Early 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, White Gold
1970s English Romantic Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18...
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Tourmaline, Ruby, Amethyst, Pink Sapphire, Topaz, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Chain Necklaces
Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Rock Crystal, Blue Sapphire, 18k 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.