Corn Cob Pendant
20th Century Unknown Boxes and Cases
Sterling Silver
People Also Browsed
Mid-19th Century British Fashion
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise
1870s French Other
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches
Ruby, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Rhodolite, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian More Silver, Flatware and Si...
Antique Early 1900s Russian Rococo Dinnerware and Flatware Sets
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold
1870s American Other
Vintage 1980s Swiss Brooches
Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian More Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Citrine, Freshwater Pearl, Gilt Metal, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Multi-Strand Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Russian Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Finding the Right pendant-necklaces for You
Whether you’re layering multiple jewelry pieces or opting for a single strand, vintage pendant necklaces are versatile accessories that can elevate your casual wear as easily as they can add a creative flourish to your formal attire.
The earliest jewelry was less about accessorizing than it was about wearers arming themselves with amulets. In Ancient Egypt, some amulets featured a loop so that they could be strung around one’s neck. While rubies have long been one of the few gemstones that can give diamonds a run for their money, members of some ancient civilizations valued the stones from the get-go, donning ruby pendants as well as other stones with the belief that these adornments would bring protection, healing powers or strength. Today, we still wear our charm bracelets and charm pendants around our necks for good luck.
Later, pendant necklaces, like most fine jewelry, were worn strictly by royalty or the upper class and conferred wealth and prestige. This changed over time, thankfully, as wearing jewelry became more widespread, a democratized means of personal expression.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, pendant necklaces evolved from their status as spiritual amulets, but the jewels still carried deep personal significance. Victorian pendants, in particular, were part of the “mourning jewelry” tradition. Wearers would embed their pendants with locks of hair from a deceased loved one as a way of grieving in the wake of a loss. In the case of cameo jewelry, some pendants were even decorated with miniature hand-carved portraits in a detailed raised relief. Today, portraiture is still a characteristic of many of the hand-carved pendant necklaces offered by Italian jewelry house Scala Gioielli.
Luxury fine jewelry brands such as Cartier, BVLGARI and David Yurman offer their own unique interpretations of the cherished accessory, embellishing platinum or gold pendant necklaces with diamonds, sapphires and other stones.
On 1stDibs, find an extraordinary range of vintage pendant necklaces and other necklaces today.
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