Chain Necklaces
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Ruby, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, White Gold, Rhodium
19th Century German Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Berlin Iron
1970s British Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Peridot, Yellow Gold
1990s Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Artisan Chain Necklaces
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Chain Necklaces
2010s Cypriot Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Palladium
1970s Finnish Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Tanzanite, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
1960s Danish Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
2010s Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Chain Necklaces
Rubelite, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Agate, Yellow Gold, Gold, 9k Gold
Early 19th Century Art Deco Antique Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Citrine, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Victorian Chain Necklaces
Black Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Modern Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Artisan Vintage Chain Necklaces
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Citrine, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, 9k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
1990s Italian Retro Chain Necklaces
Blue Topaz, Tourmaline, Peridot, Iolite, Citrine, Amethyst, Yellow Gold,...
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Jade, Pearl, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Chain Necklaces
Garnet, Moonstone, Rhodolite, 18k Gold, Silver
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
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.