Unique Vintage Necklaces
20th Century French Art Deco Unique Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Unknown Unique Vintage Necklaces
20th Century American Native American Unique Vintage Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Enamel, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s American Art Deco Unique Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Unique Vintage Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Unique Vintage Necklaces
1990s Indonesian Retro Unique Vintage Necklaces
Citrine, Pearl, Garnet, Cultured Pearl, Amethyst, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow...
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Unique Vintage Necklaces
White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Unique Vintage Necklaces
White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Unique Vintage Necklaces
White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Unique Vintage Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Unique Vintage Necklaces
White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Unique Vintage Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century American Unique Vintage Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Unique Vintage Necklaces
Emerald, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Chinese Art Deco Unique Vintage Necklaces
White Diamond, Morganite, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modernist Unique Vintage Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Artisan Unique Vintage Necklaces
Base Metal, Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century Unique Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1970s Unknown Egyptian Revival Unique Vintage Necklaces
Base Metal
1970s American Unique Vintage Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1980s Italian Modern Unique Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
1990s Unique Vintage Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Contemporary Unique Vintage Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Mexican Unique Vintage Necklaces
Bronze
1970s Unknown Classical Roman Unique Vintage Necklaces
Brass
Late 20th Century American Modern Unique Vintage Necklaces
Onyx, Silver, Sterling Silver
1950s Italian Retro Unique Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1940s German Unique Vintage Necklaces
Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Unique Vintage Necklaces
Chalcedony, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Unique Vintage Necklaces
Amethyst, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Unique Vintage Necklaces
Aventurine, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Iraqi Art Deco Unique Vintage Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unique Vintage Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Artisan Unique Vintage Necklaces
Turquoise
1990s Unique Vintage Necklaces
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Unique Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1960s Italian Retro Unique Vintage Necklaces
18k Gold
20th Century American Art Deco Unique Vintage Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Danish Modern Unique Vintage Necklaces
Silver Plate
1970s Modernist Unique Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Unique Vintage Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Swiss Artisan Unique Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unique Vintage Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1940s Unknown Retro Unique Vintage Necklaces
Brass
1970s American Modernist Unique Vintage Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s European Contemporary Unique Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Unique Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modern Unique Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Modernist Unique Vintage Necklaces
Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Iolite, Rubelite, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k...
Late 20th Century Italian Unique Vintage Necklaces
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Modern Unique Vintage Necklaces
Gold Plate
1990s French Artisan Unique Vintage Necklaces
Amethyst, Bronze
1990s Thai Art Deco Unique Vintage Necklaces
Aquamarine, Onyx, Pearl, Quartz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Indian Retro Unique Vintage Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Indian Retro Unique Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century European Modernist Unique Vintage Necklaces
Brass
Mid-20th Century European Modernist Unique Vintage Necklaces
Brass
Late 20th Century Russian Unique Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unique Vintage Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
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Unique Vintage Necklaces For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Unique Vintage Necklaces?
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.
- What makes a necklace vintage?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023What makes a necklace vintage is its age. Any necklace made at least 20 to 80 years ago is vintage. Necklaces produced a century ago or more are antiques. A vintage-inspired or vintage-style necklace is one manufactured during the past 20 years but inspired by older jewelry. Find a wide variety of vintage necklaces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To determine whether a pearl necklace is modern or vintage, first look for signs of wear, such as blunted edges on the prongs. The pearls will likely have dull spots where they came into contact with skin. The clasp can clue you in, too. Lobster clasps appeared in the 1970s, while early 20th century clasps were generally safety-pin style or C-clasps. Modern necklaces typically have a spring-loaded clasp. Shop a selection of vintage pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Clasp design on vintage necklaces vary significantly, so there’s no uniform way to open and close a clasp. Research the specific type of necklace to find resources on the style of clasp. On 1stDibs, you'll find a collection of vintage necklaces from some of the world's top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Vintage Chanel jewelry always has a date stamp and logo located somewhere on the piece that you can use for authentication. Everything on the date stamp should be easy to read, and the Chanel logo should look immaculate. Fake logos are often hard to read and have mistakes in the font. All the details should be exquisite, and the necklace should feel substantial. If it feels light and cheap, it’s probably a fake. Shop a collection of authentic vintage Chanel necklaces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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