Chain Necklaces
19th Century European Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
1980s French Renaissance Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt Metal
Mid-19th Century Unknown Modern Antique Chain Necklaces
1880s Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1970s German Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
Early 19th Century Unknown Edwardian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1990s French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Late 19th Century European Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
1880s English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 10k Gold
1980s Swiss Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Quartz, Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Thai Contemporary Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1990s French Modern Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver, Yellow ...
1890s Late Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
15k Gold
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 15k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s French Baroque Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, Gilt Metal
1990s Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1980s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
1980s French Artisan Vintage Chain Necklaces
1880s Unknown Antique Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Chain Necklaces
1990s Swiss Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s North American Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
19th Century British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass
1990s French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
1870s French Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Platinum
1990s Unknown Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1990s Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
1880s English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold
1980s Italian Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1880s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century French Retro Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
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.