Chain Necklaces
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
1880s French Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Brazilian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1860s Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 15k Gold, 18k Gold
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 2000s French Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Artisan Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Bronze
1880s British Late Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 15k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 2000s French Chain Necklaces
1880s European Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
1820s Italian Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Jade, Rock Crystal, Amber, 14k Gold
1890s Italian Artisan Antique Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Greek Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Late Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Topaz, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century German Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Berlin Iron
Early 2000s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, 10k Gold
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Chrysoberyl, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
19th Century Unknown High Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
19th Century Antique Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Platinum
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Labradorite, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Rose Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1870s American Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
Early 2000s French Chain Necklaces
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium
Early 2000s Italian Artisan Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Quartz, Silver, Enamel
Late 19th Century American Antique Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Early 2000s Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 2000s French Chain Necklaces
19th Century Antique Chain Necklaces
Early 2000s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
15k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Amber, Amethyst, Silver
Late 19th Century European Art Nouveau Antique Chain Necklaces
Rock Crystal, Sterling Silver
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Other
Late 19th Century European Art Deco Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver
Early 2000s Contemporary 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.