Vintage Modernist Necklace
1950s Mexican Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Sterling Silver
1970s American Vintage Modernist Necklace
Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century Mexican Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Jasper, Bronze
1960s American Arts and Crafts Vintage Modernist Necklace
Base Metal
1970s German Vintage Modernist Necklace
Amethyst, Agate, Gilt Metal
1980s Finnish Modern Vintage Modernist Necklace
Mid-20th Century Modern Vintage Modernist Necklace
Cultured Pearl, Gold
1960s French Vintage Modernist Necklace
1970s Finnish Modern Vintage Modernist Necklace
Sterling Silver
20th Century Swedish Modern Vintage Modernist Necklace
1960s American Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Sterling Silver
1970s French Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Gilt Metal
1970s Finnish Modern Vintage Modernist Necklace
Sterling Silver
1970s Finnish Modern Vintage Modernist Necklace
Silver
1970s Finnish Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Sterling Silver
1960s Danish Modern Vintage Modernist Necklace
14k Gold
1970s French Contemporary Vintage Modernist Necklace
Gold, 18k Gold
1960s Vintage Modernist Necklace
Mid-20th Century Venezuelan Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Gold, 18k Gold
1950s American Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Sterling Silver
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Modernist Necklace
Stone, Silver
1970s French Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Base Metal
1970s German Modern Vintage Modernist Necklace
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Rhodocrosite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1970s French Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Stainless Steel
1980s Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Sterling Silver
20th Century Vintage Modernist Necklace
Sterling Silver
20th Century Vintage Modernist Necklace
1960s Israeli Vintage Modernist Necklace
1970s Vintage Modernist Necklace
Amber, Sterling Silver
20th Century Vintage Modernist Necklace
1950s Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
1960s American Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century German Art Deco Vintage Modernist Necklace
Base Metal
1970s German Contemporary Vintage Modernist Necklace
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Danish Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Amber, Sterling Silver
1960s French Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
20th Century Modern Vintage Modernist Necklace
Gold, Sterling Silver
1950s Mexican Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
1970s Chilean Vintage Modernist Necklace
Late 20th Century Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
1960s Unknown Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Sterling Silver
1970s Mexican Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Silver
1960s Finnish Modern Vintage Modernist Necklace
Sterling Silver
1960s Mexican Vintage Modernist Necklace
Silver
Late 20th Century Mexican Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Tiger's Eye, Silver, Sterling Silver
1970s American Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Brass
1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Modernist Necklace
Rock Crystal, Sterling Silver
1960s Italian Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Vintage Modernist Necklace
Other, Silver Plate
1960s American Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Pearl, Gold
Mid-20th Century European Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Pearl, Sterling Silver, Gilt Metal
Mid-20th Century Mexican Modern Vintage Modernist Necklace
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Modern Vintage Modernist Necklace
White Diamond, Gold
1970s Spanish Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Silver, Sterling Silver
1970s Swiss Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Cat’s Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Swedish Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Sterling Silver
1970s French Modernist Vintage Modernist Necklace
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Modern Vintage Modernist Necklace
Base Metal
- 1
- ...
Vintage Modernist Necklace For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Vintage Modernist 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.
- 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.