Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold-filled
1970s French Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, White Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Rose Gold
2010s French Artisan Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold
1990s Italian Artisan Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Diamond, Rose Gold
1990s Unknown Artisan Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s French Artisan Vintage Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Rose Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Platinum
20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Yellow Gold
1980s Spanish Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Italian Artisan Chain Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Peridot, Vermeil, Palladium, Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
Early 2000s American Artisan Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
20th Century Luxembourgish Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 2000s French Artisan Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Turquoise, 14k Gold
2010s French Artisan Chain Necklaces
1990s French Modern Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern 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.