Chain Necklaces
1880s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Base Metal, Gilt Metal
2010s American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Kunzite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sterling Silver
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s French Chain Necklaces
2010s Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Base Metal, Brass
1970s French Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
1890s English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s British Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
1880s European Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
1980s Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Chain Necklaces
Platinum
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Bronze, Gilt Metal
1960s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s British Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
1980s French Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver Plate, Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Byzantine Chain Necklaces
Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Romantic Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1880s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, Enamel
2010s French Artisan Chain Necklaces
20th Century Unknown Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Brass
2010s Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
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.