Chain Necklaces
1960s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
1960s American Egyptian Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Jade, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century German Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Rose Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Artisan Chain Necklaces
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
2010s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Chain Necklaces
Moonstone, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold, Bronze
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Turquoise
2010s Modern Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Black Diamond, Gold, Enamel
2010s North American Modernist Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Peridot, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Chain Necklaces
Rhodolite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1860s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Garnet, Turquoise, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s British Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Topaz, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver, 14k Gold
Early 2000s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, White Gold, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century European Art Nouveau Antique Chain Necklaces
Rock Crystal, Sterling Silver
2010s French Early Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver
1910s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary English Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
Opal, Pearl, Tanzanite, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Silver, Sterl...
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 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.