Laura Gibson
Early 2000s American Dangle Earrings
22k Gold
2010s American Artisan Drop Necklaces
Citrine, Blue Sapphire, Black Spinel, Spinel, Gold, 22k Gold
Early 2000s American Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Chalcedony, Chrysoberyl, Peridot, Tourmaline, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
22k Gold
People Also Browsed
Late 20th Century Unknown Modernist Bangles
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1810s British Victorian Band Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Turkish Modern Fashion Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Silver
2010s American Artisan Dangle Earrings
18k Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s French Contemporary Fashion Rings
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique 19th Century Italian Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Yellow Gold
2010s French Contemporary Band Rings
Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Beaded Necklaces
Garnet, 14k Gold
2010s Italian Band Rings
Gold
2010s French Contemporary Fashion Rings
Gold
Recent Sales
Early 2000s American Beaded Necklaces
Peridot, Topaz, Chrysoberyl, Citrine, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Beaded Necklaces
Onyx, Opal, Mandarin Garnet, Black Opal, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
2010s Beaded Necklaces
Quartz, Ruby, Tourmaline, Fire Opal, 22k Gold
2010s American Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Garnet, Quartz, Tanzanite, 18k Gold
2010s American Beaded Necklaces
Citrine, Quartz, Topaz, 22k 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.