Chain Necklaces
19th Century Unknown Antique Chain Necklaces
1970s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Late 19th Century European Art Nouveau Antique Chain Necklaces
Rock Crystal, Sterling Silver
1990s Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
19th Century European Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, Pinchbeck
1970s Finnish Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Bronze
19th Century Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
19th Century English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Garnet, 9k Gold
Late 19th Century European Late Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1970s French Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
1990s Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1970s American Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
19th Century British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s North American Native American Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Sterling Silver
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s American Artisan Vintage Chain Necklaces
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 15k Gold
1970s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s French Byzantine Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1970s Unknown Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
9k Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Modernist Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s British Antique Chain Necklaces
Carnelian, Gold, 9k Gold
1990s French Chain Necklaces
1990s French Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
19th Century Antique Chain Necklaces
Enamel
Late 20th Century European Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Gold
1830s Maltese Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1990s French Artisan Chain Necklaces
Pearl
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
1970s American Native American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Coral, Sterling Silver
1990s Chain Necklaces
1990s European Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold
1990s American Anglo-Indian Chain Necklaces
Coral, Sterling Silver
1860s British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Garnet, Turquoise, Gold
19th Century British Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century North American Native American Chain Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver
1990s Swiss Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
1980s English Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Contemporary Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal, Gold, Silver
1980s Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s Italian Artisan Vintage Chain Necklaces
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Rose Gold
1990s Chain Necklaces
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.