18 K Chain 50 Cm
Late 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Late 20th Century Italian Art Deco Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Link Bracelets
Iolite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century Italian Signet Rings
Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Beaded Bracelets
Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Choker Necklaces
Carnelian, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Drop Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Hoop Earrings
18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Link Bracelets
Purple Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sa...
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century Italian Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Sapphire, Gold
2010s European Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Peridot, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Beaded Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
20th Century Italian More Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
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2010s Swiss Contemporary Brooches
White Diamond, Ruby, Topaz, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Black Opal, Para...
2010s Belgian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Yellow Diamond, Pink Diamond, Opal, Spinel, Tourmaline, Black Opal, Para...
Antique 19th Century Napoleon III Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Agate, 18k Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Agate, White Diamond, 18k 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.