Elsa Peretti Scarf Necklace Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Link Necklaces
Gold
2010s Italian Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s American Link Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s North American Modernist Drop Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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1990s Italian Evening Gowns
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Yellow Diamond
20th Century French Modern Chain Necklaces
Coral, Yellow Gold
1990s French Link Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American More Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Bracelets
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Boxes and Cases
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Emerald, Silver
1990s French Contemporary Wedding Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s American Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary American Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Choker Necklaces
18k Gold
20th Century American Link Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s More Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Multi-Strand Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s More Necklaces
18k Gold
1990s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s More Necklaces
18k Gold
1990s American Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1980s English Modernist Drop Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Vermeil, Silver
Vintage 1980s American Link Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Collectible Jewelry
Gold
20th Century Link Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s Unknown Modern Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American More Necklaces
18k Gold
1990s American More Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Multi-Strand Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Link Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American More Necklaces
18k Gold
20th Century Italian More Necklaces
18k Gold
20th Century Spanish More Necklaces
18k 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.