Chain Necklaces
1840s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Garnet, 14k Gold, 15k Gold
Late 19th Century European Antique Chain Necklaces
1970s French Artisan Vintage Chain Necklaces
Malachite, Gilt Metal
1980s Mexican Vintage Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 22k Gold
1990s French Chain Necklaces
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1970s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Chain Necklaces
1970s Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
1970s French Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 15k Gold, Rose Gold
1870s Italian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
1990s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Classical Roman Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1970s Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
Late 20th Century Dutch Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1990s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Topaz, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Asian Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver
1880s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
1980s Artisan Vintage Chain Necklaces
24k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Chain Necklaces
1990s German Chain Necklaces
Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1980s German Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
19th Century British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s British Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
1970s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
1990s Chain Necklaces
White Gold
Late 20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1990s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
1990s European Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Brown Diamond, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald
19th Century Italian Artisan Antique Chain Necklaces
Brass
1990s French Chain Necklaces
1840s American Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
14k 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.