Blue Enamel Barrel Necklace
Antique 1860s Victorian Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s French Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique 1880s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Carnelian, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yello...
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Early 1900s Chinese Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Silver
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2010s Italian Band Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s French Artist Pendant Necklaces
Mixed Metal
Early 20th Century Russian Russian Empire Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver, Enamel, Gilt Metal
Antique 1890s American Victorian Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Star Sapphire, 14k Gold
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Bangles
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Belgian Art Deco Enamel Frames and Objects
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Unknown Egyptian Revival Signet Rings
Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century British George III Drop Earrings
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Unknown Retro Boxes and Cases
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1920s European Boxes and Cases
Amethyst, Rose Gold, Enamel
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Vintage 1920s Czech Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1920s Czech Egyptian Revival Pendant Necklaces
Brass
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1880s French Victorian Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Antique Early 1900s French Belle Époque Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1970s Unknown Retro Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Natural Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1860s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Silver
Antique 19th Century Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Enamel, Gold-filled
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate
Antique 1850s English Victorian Pendant Necklaces
15k Gold, 9k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century Swiss Georgian Pocket Watches
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Pocket Watches
Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Finding the Right necklaces for You
We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners.
Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers.
In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs.
For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone.
Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage necklaces designed by David Webb — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.
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