Chain Necklaces
1930s American Baroque Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
Early 2000s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
2010s Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1860s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Garnet, Turquoise, Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
1990s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Carnelian, Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century English Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, Paraiba, Platinum
Late 18th Century Unknown Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 10k Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond
1990s French Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
Early 20th Century German Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Enamel
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold
1980s French Artist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, Platinum
2010s Italian Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Arts and Crafts Chain Necklaces
Chalcedony, Paraiba, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Peridot, Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Early 2000s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Malachite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Swedish Victorian Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k 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.