Chain Necklaces
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Crystal
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Retro Chain Necklaces
22k Gold
1970s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Opal, 15k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century British Modern Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century British Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1980s British Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
1980s North American Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Chain Necklaces
Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Coral, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century English Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Chain Necklaces
1980s German Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Chain Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Enamel
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Artisan Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1820s Antique Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
1880s Unknown Belle Époque Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1970s Unknown Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1990s Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
1990s Unknown Chain Necklaces
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
1990s Unknown Chain Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1980s British Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
19th Century British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1990s French Chain Necklaces
1970s German Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s English Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1990s French Chain Necklaces
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.