Chain Necklaces
1960s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
1950s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver Plate, Brass
1960s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold-filled
1960s French Byzantine Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Gilt Metal
1950s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1950s Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
1960s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1950s European Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
1960s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Turkish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1960s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
1960s Finnish Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
1950s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1960s Dutch Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Coral, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Medieval Vintage Chain Necklaces
Bronze
1960s French Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1960s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
1960s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Unknown Byzantine Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
1950s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1950s French Empire Vintage Chain Necklaces
Vermeil
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Moonstone, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
1950s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Base Metal, Gilt Metal
1960s French Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
1950s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1960s American Egyptian Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
1960s Italian Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Finnish Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Agate, Silver
1960s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1960s Unknown Vintage Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
1960s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1950s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1950s Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Artisan Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
1960s French Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Renaissance Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Bronze, Gilt Metal
1960s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1960s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1950s American Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Silver Plate, Brass, Gilt Metal
1950s American Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Onyx, Pearl, Turquoise, Silver
1960s Norwegian Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
1960s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
1960s Finnish Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
1960s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
1950s Swedish Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
1960s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1950s French Belle Époque Vintage Chain Necklaces
Spinel, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s British Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
9k Gold
1960s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
1950s French Byzantine Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt Metal
1950s Argentine Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1960s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1960s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1960s Danish Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
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.