Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Chain Necklaces
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Malachite, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
15th Century and Earlier Greek Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Onyx, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
2010s Italian Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s North American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, White Gold
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Other
2010s North American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1800s Indian Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Citrine, Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s American Arts and Crafts Chain Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s American Baroque Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
1990s Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Steel
2010s Chain Necklaces
Yellow Diamond, Gold
2010s North American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s North American Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century German Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1860s English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Agate, 14k Gold
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Modernist Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s American Antique Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Hematite
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Byzantine Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt Metal
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
2010s Turkish Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Modern Chain Necklaces
Base Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White 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.