Vintage Gold Chains & Necklaces

About Our Vintage Gold Chains

We sell a mixture of antique, vintage and new gold chains. Unfortunately chains are the least surviving items from the past, especially fine gold pendant chains. This makes antique chains not only hard to source, but also not always cost effective for our customers. All antique and vintage chains have been quality checked and refurbished where required. New chains have been sourced from British or European manufacturers where possible to reduce their carbon footprint.

Different Chain Styles

Fine gold chains are enduring items of jewellery and come in a variety of styles and lengths. Whether you prefer to wear your chain standalone, or with a pendant, there is something to suit. We have listed some of the more popular gold chains below.

Figaro Chain

Figaro chains consist of a long oval link, separated by two or sometimes three smaller links, either round or oval. We find figaros chains popular with both men and women, and fine gold figaro chains work particularly well with pendants. Wider and longer figaro chains look great on men, or on women as a statement piece of neckwear.

Belcher Chain

Belcher chains, also referred to as rolo chains, can be fine and delicate or solid and heavy. The latter look great worn as standalone necklaces, and fine belcher chains are perfect for gold pendants. Links in belcher chains tend to be the same size and shape all round, and can be D shaped, oval, round or even square.

Trace Chain

A great gold chain for pendants! Trace chains tend to have small uniform links all round; they are delicate chains suited to pendant necklaces. Trace chains can be diamond cut to add extra sparkle to the piece.

Cable Chain

Similar to trace chains, but the links are tighter together and despite being fine and delicate in width, these chains are very sturdy. Trade chains are the most common type of chain we find attached to antique pendants, and they were very popular 100 years ago on lavalier and Edna May necklaces.

Prince of Wales Chain

The Prince of Wales chain is a versatile chain made up of interwoven gold oval or round links, making for a very strong chain indeed. Each link is attached to 4 or more others. If you want a fine chain but your pendant is very precious, this would be a good choice, as it is far less likely to break following a snag than say a fine curb chain.

Curb Chain

Probably the most commonly bought and sold gold necklaces of the modern age. Flat, tightly joined links of varying widths. Fine gold curb chains are great for pendants, while thicker chains (and they do come very thick) and perfect as statement pieces. Most curb chains are diamond cut, and overall this is a timeless and classic necklace.

9ct vs 18ct Gold Chains

Our chains are predominantly 9ct gold, to keep them as affordable as possible. We can source most of our chains in the 18ct gold equivalent, please send a message and we will be happy to help. Gold chain lengths we typically stock are 18 inches, 20 inches, 22 inches, and 24 inches. Men would not usually suit a chain shorter than 20 inches, while ladies tend or order chains across all lengths depending on where they want them to sit. If you can't find what you are looking for here, check out our sister website Sterling & Wilde for brand new men's gold chains and women's gold chains.