Chain Necklaces
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
1980s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Early 2000s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary German Arts and Crafts Chain Necklaces
Spinel, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Spanish Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Baroque Vintage Chain Necklaces
1960s British Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Onyx, Pearl, Turquoise, Silver
20th Century Portuguese Artisan Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century European Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s French Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century European Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel
1980s German Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Artist Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s German Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Chain Necklaces
24k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Romantic Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Greek Chain Necklaces
Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s American Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Base Metal
2010s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 2000s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Mid-20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 19th Century American Antique Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
2010s British Chain Necklaces
Topaz, Natural Pearl, Peridot, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapph...
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s European Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
19th Century Antique Chain Necklaces
15k Gold
1980s American Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Spinel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1870s Italian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
1980s British Victorian Vintage Chain Necklaces
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.