Tiffany Hardware Necklace
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Link Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Turkish Contemporary Link Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Link Necklaces
Chrysophrase, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
People Also Browsed
2010s Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Band Rings
18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Chain Bracelets
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Link Bracelets
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
20th Century Italian Modern Charm Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Hoop Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Beaded Necklaces
Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold Plate
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Recent Sales
2010s Italian Modern Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1970s North American Modernist Drop Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1970s Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1970s French Choker Necklaces
Coral, Onyx, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary French Wallets
1990s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Chain Necklaces
Early 2000s Pendant Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Beaded Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
White Gold
20th Century Jewelry Rolls
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.