4mm Chain 18kt 17in
Vintage 1970s Retro Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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1990s American Modern Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s British Signet Rings
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold
1990s Thai Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
1990s French Evening Gowns
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Chain Necklaces
Coral, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Italian More Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s American Retro Wrist Watches
White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Dutch Choker Necklaces
Coral, Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1960s Danish Modernist Link Necklaces
Silver, Gold, Yellow Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1860s Egyptian Revival Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Romantic Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Vintage 1970s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Band Rings
Coral, Onyx, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Modernist Dangle Earrings
Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Retro Cocktail Rings
Coral, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli
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20th Century Unknown Drop Necklaces
Garnet, Diamond, White 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.
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