Chain Necklaces
1950s French Medieval Vintage Chain Necklaces
Bronze
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Black Diamond, Emerald, Black Pearl, Natural Pearl, Rock...
1950s European Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
1980s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
1980s Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Byzantine Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1950s Unknown Byzantine Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
1980s European Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1950s French Empire Vintage Chain Necklaces
Vermeil
1980s European Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, Indicolite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Italian Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Austrian Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Jade, 18k Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Finnish Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1980s Byzantine Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt Metal
1980s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
1980s American Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s British Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Austrian Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Moonstone, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
1950s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1950s Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1980s Italian Classical Roman Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
1980s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, 18k Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1950s American Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
1980s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1950s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Onyx, Pearl, Turquoise, Silver
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1980s Vintage 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.