Chain Necklaces
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1870s Antique Chain Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Late Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Late Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century North American Native American Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
1990s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century British Retro Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Late Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Steel
Late 19th Century Art Deco Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver
Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Art Deco Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver
1990s French Chain Necklaces
19th Century English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century French Chain Necklaces
1990s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1890s European Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
1990s French Chain Necklaces
1870s Antique Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1880s Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Rose Gold
1890s English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1980s French Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver Plate
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century English Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Silver
19th Century French Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s British Late Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
1880s English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1860s Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s German Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s British Late Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver
Mid-19th Century Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1820s British George IV Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
19th Century British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1880s English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1990s French Chain Necklaces
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
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.