Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century French Retro Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1950s British Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s English Egyptian Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1940s Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Garnet, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s English Egyptian Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1950s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Retro Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s North American Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Turkish Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1930s American Baroque Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
1940s Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1950s American Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold
1990s North American Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Pakistani Egyptian Revival Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Cat’s Eye
1990s European Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Early 2000s Unknown Retro Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1930s American Baroque Revival Vintage Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Brass, Gilt Metal
1990s French Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Renaissance Revival Chain Necklaces
Peridot, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Gothic Revival Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
1940s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Portuguese Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Yellow Gold, Gold
Mid-20th Century American Retro Chain Necklaces
Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Pakistani Egyptian Revival Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century French Retro Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Retro Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Egyptian Revival Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, 22k Gold
Late 20th Century British Retro Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Gothic Revival Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1960s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Retro Chain Necklaces
Rose Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Gothic Revival Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s European Etruscan Revival Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold
Early 20th Century Italian Gothic Revival Chain Necklaces
Silver
20th Century American Retro Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Vermeil
Early 2000s European Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Retro Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
Citrine, Peridot, Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold
1970s Retro Vintage Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Retro Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow 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.