Chain Necklaces
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Etruscan Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
19th Century Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces
Opal, Pearl, Gold-filled
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1910s American Edwardian Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Israeli Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century French Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1800s British Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Pinchbeck
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Dutch Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1870s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
2010s Italian Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Portuguese Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Canadian Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Brass
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Romantic Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s French Victorian Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Citrine, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Carnelian, Turquoise, Gold Plate
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Empire Antique Chain Necklaces
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary German Arts and Crafts Chain Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s American Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Chain Necklaces
Platinum
Early 1900s Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1970s German Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k 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.