Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Chain Necklaces
Chalcedony, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Zircon, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Go...
2010s British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Black Diamond, Sapphire, Mixed Me...
2010s American Romantic Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Chrysophrase, Gold-filled
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold Plate, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Romantic Chain Necklaces
Labradorite, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold-filled
2010s American Romantic Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Turquoise, Gold-filled
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chain Necklaces
Chalcedony, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gol...
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, 22k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Romantic Chain Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Turquoise, Pearl, Gold, Gold-filled
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Sterling Silver, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Tanzanite, Gold, ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Yellow Gold, G...
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Onyx, Ruby, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Brown Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, Silver
1970s English Romantic Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18...
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Agate, Moonstone, Freshwater Pearl, Turquoise, Turquoise Matrix, Silver,...
1970s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Rock Crystal, Blue Sapphire, 18k 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.