Chanel Matelasse Necklace
Early 2000s French Drop Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Choker Necklaces
Gold
Vintage 1980s Multi-Strand Necklaces
People Also Browsed
2010s South American Modernist Beaded Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass
Early 2000s French Clip-on Earrings
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Chain Bracelets
Diamond, Malachite, White Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Chain Bracelets
Diamond, Onyx, White Gold
Vintage 1950s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage 1980s French Art Deco More Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate
2010s Clutches
20th Century Drop Earrings
Gold Plate
Mid-20th Century Evening Bags and Minaudières
1990s French Structured Shoulder Bags
1990s Wrist Watches
20th Century French Belts
21st Century and Contemporary French Bangles
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Beaded Necklaces
Recent Sales
Vintage 1980s French Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Other
Late 20th Century French Necklace Enhancers
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Drop Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French More Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
20th Century More Necklaces
Gold Plate
1990s French Chain Necklaces
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
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.