Midcentury Necklace
Vintage 1950s Link Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Multi-Strand Necklaces
Late 20th Century Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American Link Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Mid-20th Century Italian Artisan Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s Collectible Jewelry
Beads
Vintage 1950s American Artisan Link Necklaces
Rhodium
Vintage 1970s Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Gold Plate
Vintage 1950s Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1950s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1950s Modern Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1950s Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1950s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Modernist Choker Necklaces
Silver
20th Century Unknown Modernist More Necklaces
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Modernist More Necklaces
Copper
Mid-20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Retro Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Copper
Mid-20th Century American Modernist More Necklaces
Copper
Vintage 1970s Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Pendant Necklaces
Zircon, Gold, Rose Gold, 10k Gold
Mid-20th Century Dutch Beaded Necklaces
Jade, Silver
Mid-20th Century Link Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Retro Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Copper
Vintage 1960s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Mid-20th Century Italian Contemporary Link Necklaces
Chalcedony, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s German Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Gold
Mid-20th Century Finnish Modern Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s Artisan Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Unknown Retro Multi-Strand Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Gold
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Steel, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Copper
Mid-20th Century Modernist Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century European Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Link Necklaces
Silver Plate
Vintage 1950s Retro Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Silver Plate
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Stainless Steel
Vintage 1960s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Drop Necklaces
Copper, Enamel
Late 20th Century American Modernist Pendant Necklaces
10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century European Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Dutch Multi-Strand Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Midcentury Necklace For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Midcentury Necklace?
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.
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This Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Is an Heirloom in the Making
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