Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Carnelian, Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Brazilian Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Spinel, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Swedish Victorian Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Gold Plate, Brass, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
19th Century British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Yellow Gold
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Swiss Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Topaz, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Chalcedony, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary English Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
2010s Tanzanian Chain Necklaces
Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century European Chain Necklaces
Quartz, 18k Gold
1910s Unknown Edwardian Vintage Chain Necklaces
10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Peridot, Topaz, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, White Diamond, Green Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Japanese Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Turkish Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold
2010s Indian Victorian Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Antique Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
1920s Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
1960s French Byzantine Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1940s Finnish Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver, Enamel
20th Century French Retro Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Aventurine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Morganite, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k 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.