Chain Necklaces
1990s Retro Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1870s English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 15k Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Chain Necklaces
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
9k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Late Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s European Vintage Chain Necklaces
1890s Antique Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1890s Antique Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Gold Plate
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
Late 20th Century Andorran Chain Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Citrine, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
1990s Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1970s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
1980s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Onyx, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modernist Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Artisan Vintage Chain Necklaces
Malachite, Gilt Metal
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century French Artist Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Opal, 15k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Gold
1890s Antique Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces
White Gold
1990s Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1970s Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1980s English Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Gold
1990s Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s English Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1890s Italian Artisan Antique Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Neoclassical Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century British Modern Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s Swedish Vintage Chain Necklaces
Silver
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Chain Necklaces
22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Artist Chain Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Artisan Chain Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1990s Chain Necklaces
Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Contemporary 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.