Chain Necklaces
1990s French Chain Necklaces
2010s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Chain Necklaces
Blue Topaz, Tourmaline, Peridot, Iolite, Garnet, Citrine, Amethyst, Gold...
1990s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Opal, Pearl, Silver
2010s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s French Artisan Vintage Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Chain Necklaces
22k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 19th Century Unknown Art Deco Antique Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Modern Chain Necklaces
Labradorite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1970s English Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Italian Artisan Antique Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Romantic Chain Necklaces
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century French Napoleon III Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
2010s Indian Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Thai Chain Necklaces
1920s Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Carnelian, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Topaz, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
Mid-19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Chrysoberyl, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
Opal, Black Pearl, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Silver, Sterling S...
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chain Necklaces
Agate, Zircon, Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Amethyst, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Chain Necklaces
Black Diamond, Malachite, 14k Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
1870s European Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver
1980s British Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
1980s German Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
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.