Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Gothic Revival Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s English Egyptian Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s English Egyptian Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1930s American Baroque Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
1930s American Baroque Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Brass, Gilt Metal
1990s European Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
2010s Pakistani Egyptian Revival Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Cat’s Eye
21st Century and Contemporary German Renaissance Revival Chain Necklaces
Peridot, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century North American Native American Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
20th Century Portuguese Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s Pakistani Egyptian Revival Chain Necklaces
1950s North American Native American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
1990s North American Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Italian Gothic Revival Chain Necklaces
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Gothic Revival Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Etruscan Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Egyptian Revival Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, 22k Gold
1970s American Native American Vintage Chain Necklaces
Coral, Sterling Silver
1990s North American Native American Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Sterling Silver
1990s European Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold
Late 20th Century North American Native American Chain Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Egyptian Revival Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Russian Revival Chain Necklaces
Gold, 22k Gold, 9k Gold
19th Century French Etruscan Revival Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Egyptian Revival Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Native American Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s American Native American Chain Necklaces
Amber, Amethyst, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
1850s American Etruscan Revival Antique Chain Necklaces
14k Gold
1960s American Egyptian Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century British Egyptian Revival Chain Necklaces
White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Italian Renaissance Revival Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Vermeil
1970s American Etruscan Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
2010s Italian Baroque Revival Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Renaissance Revival Chain Necklaces
Peridot, Ruby, Enamel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1870s French Etruscan Revival Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Gothic Revival Chain Necklaces
Silver
2010s Italian Gothic Revival Chain Necklaces
Silver
1890s French Revival Antique Chain Necklaces
Agate, Coral, Labradorite, Quartz, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century British Etruscan Revival Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Native American Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
1970s Unknown Russian Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Gothic Revival Chain Necklaces
Silver
19th Century American Native American Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver
1970s American Etruscan Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
2010s Italian Gothic Revival Chain Necklaces
Silver
1970s American Egyptian Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1950s Unknown Egyptian Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century European Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Baroque Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century American Native American Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
1970s American Baroque Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
2010s Polynesian Baroque Revival Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Russian Revival Chain Necklaces
Silver, Vermeil
1980s French Baroque Revival Vintage 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.