Chain Necklaces
2010s French Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Brown Diamond, Rose Gold
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modernist Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Artisan Chain Necklaces
2010s Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
1940s Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
1990s French Chain Necklaces
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
2010s British Chain Necklaces
Tiger's Eye, Gold Plate, Brass
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, White Gold
1980s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
20th Century Chain Necklaces
White Gold
2010s British Artisan Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Chain Necklaces
2010s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
20th Century Swiss Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
2010s Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Cypriot Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Chinese Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century American Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1920s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
Rose Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s German Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Rose Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1960s German Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s Modern Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Chain Necklaces
1950s American Artisan Vintage Chain Necklaces
Other
2010s Asian Modern Chain Necklaces
Moonstone, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s European Vintage Chain Necklaces
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
2010s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
2010s Greek Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
2010s American Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose 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.