Chain Necklaces
Early 18th Century Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold
15th Century and Earlier Antique Chain Necklaces
Palladium
15th Century and Earlier American Byzantine Antique Chain Necklaces
22k Gold, Bronze, Gold, Yellow Gold
18th Century French Antique Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Tourmaline, Pearl, Gold
15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Greek Antique Chain Necklaces
Agate, Chalcedony, Onyx, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
16th Century Afghan Art Deco Antique Chain Necklaces
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
15th Century and Earlier Classical Greek Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold
15th Century and Earlier Greek Antique Chain Necklaces
Agate, Gold
18th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
15th Century and Earlier Greek Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1700s Italian Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1750s English Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Mid-18th Century American Artisan Antique Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Yellow Gold, Silver
18th Century American Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Late 18th Century Unknown Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
15th Century and Earlier American Contemporary Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 22k Gold, Bronze
1790s French Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold, Enamel
15th Century and Earlier Thai Classical Greek Antique Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Gold, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Chain Necklaces
22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1870s Antique Chain Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Chain Necklaces
22k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century English Chain Necklaces
9k Gold
1890s Belle Époque Antique Chain Necklaces
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Classical Greek Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 22k Gold
2010s Australian Artisan Chain Necklaces
22k Gold, Yellow Gold
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1790s French Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 18th Century Antique Chain Necklaces
Topaz
16th Century French Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
Late 18th Century Antique Chain Necklaces
15th Century and Earlier Thai Contemporary Antique Chain Necklaces
Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, Gold
1790s French Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 18th Century Unknown Georgian Antique Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1770s Russian Russian Empire Antique Chain Necklaces
Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
17th Century Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Silver
15th Century and Earlier Victorian Antique Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 22k Gold, Enamel
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.