Chain Necklaces
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
19th Century British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver
1890s American Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold-filled
Late 20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
19th Century British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Antique Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century European Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
19th Century European Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
19th Century English Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, 18k Gold
1990s American Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1990s Belgian Chain Necklaces
1990s Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Steel
Late 20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1970s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century European Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
1990s Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Opal, Rock Crystal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Gold
1990s Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
19th Century Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Citrine, 18k Gold
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1890s Unknown Art Deco Antique Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
1890s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Enamel, Gold Plate
1980s German Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
19th Century English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Thai Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1990s American Chain Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Modernist Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1970s German Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1990s Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Unknown Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s Classical Roman Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century European Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver
19th Century Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Cut Steel
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.