Bulgari Old Cut Diamond Necklace
Vintage 1950s French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
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2010s Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
Stainless Steel
20th Century French Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Oriental Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1940s Retro Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
2010s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, Peridot, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Cocktail Dresses
1990s Italian Evening Dresses
Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Day Dresses
Antique 1850s Hong Kong Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Choker Necklaces
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Link Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, 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.