Chain Necklaces
1950s French Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal, Silver Plate, Brass, Bronze, Copper
Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1970s French Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Aquamarine, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, Gold, Yellow Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modernist Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Multi-gemstone, Yellow Gold, Gold, 9k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Romantic Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
19th Century English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
1940s Finnish Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Artisan Antique Chain Necklaces
2010s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1970s German Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Ruby, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Romantic Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Enamel
Early 1800s British Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Pinchbeck
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s Italian Chain Necklaces
1930s American Baroque Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Brass, Gilt Metal
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
24k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Etruscan Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Baroque Vintage Chain Necklaces
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Spinel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Romantic Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k 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.