14k Gold Scissors Pendant
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Vintage 1980s Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American Retro Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Finding the Right pendant-necklaces for You
Whether you’re layering multiple jewelry pieces or opting for a single strand, vintage pendant necklaces are versatile accessories that can elevate your casual wear as easily as they can add a creative flourish to your formal attire.
The earliest jewelry was less about accessorizing than it was about wearers arming themselves with amulets. In Ancient Egypt, some amulets featured a loop so that they could be strung around one’s neck. While rubies have long been one of the few gemstones that can give diamonds a run for their money, members of some ancient civilizations valued the stones from the get-go, donning ruby pendants as well as other stones with the belief that these adornments would bring protection, healing powers or strength. Today, we still wear our charm bracelets and charm pendants around our necks for good luck.
Later, pendant necklaces, like most fine jewelry, were worn strictly by royalty or the upper class and conferred wealth and prestige. This changed over time, thankfully, as wearing jewelry became more widespread, a democratized means of personal expression.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, pendant necklaces evolved from their status as spiritual amulets, but the jewels still carried deep personal significance. Victorian pendants, in particular, were part of the “mourning jewelry” tradition. Wearers would embed their pendants with locks of hair from a deceased loved one as a way of grieving in the wake of a loss. In the case of cameo jewelry, some pendants were even decorated with miniature hand-carved portraits in a detailed raised relief. Today, portraiture is still a characteristic of many of the hand-carved pendant necklaces offered by Italian jewelry house Scala Gioielli.
Luxury fine jewelry brands such as Cartier, BVLGARI and David Yurman offer their own unique interpretations of the cherished accessory, embellishing platinum or gold pendant necklaces with diamonds, sapphires and other stones.
On 1stDibs, find an extraordinary range of vintage pendant necklaces and other necklaces today.
- What is 14K gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024The term 14K gold, or 14-karat gold, refers to a type of gold alloy. The term alloy means a metal made of two or more base metals. In the case of 14-karat gold, 58.5% of the content is pure gold, and the remaining 41.5% is alloy metal. Due to the strength of the metal, many jewelry makers use 14-karat gold in their pieces. Find a wide variety of 14-karat gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024The difference between 10K and 14K gold is how much of the metal's content is pure gold versus alloy metal. 14K gold is 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% alloy, while 10K gold is 41.7% pure gold and 58.3% alloy. Due to the increased amount of alloy metal, 10K gold tends to be stronger than 14K. On the other hand, the increased gold content of 14K gives the metal a richer color and a generally higher value. Explore a large collection of gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Is 14K gold okay for earrings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023Yes, 14K gold is okay for earrings. In fact, many people opt for earrings crafted out of 14-karat gold. This type of gold is 53.8% pure gold and 41.7% alloy. The high content of base metals makes 14-karat gold strong enough to resist scratches, so earrings made from the precious metal can hold up to the effects of daily wear. Shop a diverse assortment of 14-karat gold earrings on 1stDibs.
- Is 14k solid gold real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024Yes, 14k solid gold is real. However, it is not pure gold. The term 14-karat describes gold, which is 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% alloy metal. Adding alloy metal helps to make the gold more resistant to wear and tear. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of 14k gold jewelry.
- Is 14K gold good for earrings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Yes, 14k gold can be good for earrings. The precious metal is rich in color, making it an appealing choice for jewelry. It is also durable and reasonably priced compared to 18-karat gold. The biggest downside to 14-karat gold earrings is that they contain a larger percentage of base metals than 18-karat and may be more likely to cause sensitivity reactions in some people as a result. Explore a large selection of gold earrings on 1stDibs.
- Are 14K gold earrings good?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023Yes, 14-karat gold earrings can be good. One of the biggest benefits of 14-karat gold is that the base metal content provides added strength, helping earrings resist scratching and damage. The downside to 14-karat gold is that its color often isn't as rich as purer alloys like 18- and 22-karat gold. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of gold earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023The difference between 14K and 18K white gold stud earrings comes down to the content of the precious metal alloy. Stud earrings made of 14-karat white gold are 58.3% gold and 41.7% base metal, while 18-karat gold is 75% pure gold and 25% other metals. As a result, 14-karat white gold tends to be stronger and more resistant to scratching, and 18-karat gold will have a more noticeable warm-glowing yellow tinge. On 1stDibs, shop a range of white gold stud earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024There is no standard for how much a 14K gold rope chain should weigh. The thickness of the chain will contribute to its weight, since thicker pieces have more mass than thinner ones. In addition, the length of the chain will impact how much it weighs, with longer chains generally weighing more than shorter ones of the same thickness. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse assortment of gold chains.
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