Chain Necklaces
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1870s French Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces
Opal, Pearl, Gold-filled
1950s Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Mixed Metal
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Natural Pearl
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Rubelite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Contemporary Chain Necklaces
24k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century North American Native American Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
2010s Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Swiss Modernist Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Chain Necklaces
24k Gold, Gold Plate
1880s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary European Chain Necklaces
Platinum
Late 20th Century Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
24k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1890s Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Arts and Crafts Chain Necklaces
Tourmaline, Crystal, White Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Byzantine Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s British Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
20th Century French Artisan Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces
Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
2010s Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
19th Century English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Early 2000s North American Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modernist Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
Mid-20th Century British Classical Greek Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
1980s French Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Brass
2010s Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1980s French Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
24k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
18k 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.