Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century French Artist Chain Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modernist Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Artisan Chain Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Onyx, 18k Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Topaz
1970s French Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, White Gold
1980s French Artisan Vintage Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Chain Necklaces
1990s Chain Necklaces
Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold
2010s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century French Artisan Chain Necklaces
Early 2000s Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
1950s Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
1890s French Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Brazilian Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Spinel, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s North American Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, White Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Italian Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
Late 20th Century English Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 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.