Chain Necklaces
Mid-20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Agate, Yellow Gold, Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
2010s Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s Italian Classical Greek Chain Necklaces
Topaz, Garnet, Amethyst, Ruby, Citrine, Silver, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Swedish Victorian Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Pearl, Gold Plate, Brass
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Chain Necklaces
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Mixed Metal
2010s Belgian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Moonstone, Platinum
2010s American Artisan Chain Necklaces
Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Quartz, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Arts and Crafts Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, 22k Gold, 18k Gold, 15k Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Brass
2010s French Early Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s Chain Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Topaz
1980s Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Natural Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Jade, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Chain Necklaces
Yellow Diamond, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, 10k Gold
2010s Greek Hellenistic Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Gold-filled, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Bulgarian Modern Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 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.