Chain Necklaces
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s Unknown Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1990s Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Chain Necklaces
Crystal
1990s French Neoclassical Chain Necklaces
Early 1900s Antique Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Artist Chain Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
1980s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces
White Gold
1980s Austrian Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
20th Century Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
22k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Platinum
1990s Italian Artisan Chain Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Onyx, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1980s Unknown Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Topaz
1990s Chain Necklaces
Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
1980s French Artisan Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s French Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
1990s Retro Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s European Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold
1970s Spanish Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century European Chain Necklaces
Rose Gold
Early 1900s Antique Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Chain Necklaces
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Chain Necklaces
1960s Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1960s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Artisan Chain Necklaces
1950s Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Dutch Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 1900s French Belle Époque Antique Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver
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.