Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Chinese Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century French Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Japanese Artisan Chain Necklaces
Brass
1990s French Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1920s Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Gold, 9k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Chain Necklaces
22k Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Bronze
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s Unknown Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Modern Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
Early 2000s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Onyx, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Anglo-Indian Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, South Sea Pearl, Pearl, Gold
20th Century Swiss Artist Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1980s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow 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.