Antique Bead Necklaces
1870s English Victorian Antique Bead Necklaces
Agate, Silver
1870s English Victorian Antique Bead Necklaces
Agate
1880s American Late Victorian Antique Bead Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Bead Necklaces
Agate
Early 20th Century Art Deco Antique Bead Necklaces
Amber
19th Century English Victorian Antique Bead Necklaces
15k Gold
1920s Antique Bead Necklaces
Amber, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Bead Necklaces
Rose Gold, Silver
1880s British Victorian Antique Bead Necklaces
Coral, Base Metal
Early 20th Century European Antique Bead Necklaces
Jade, Silver
19th Century Victorian Antique Bead Necklaces
Agate
1920s French Art Deco Antique Bead Necklaces
15th Century and Earlier Turkish Artisan Antique Bead Necklaces
24k Gold
19th Century British Victorian Antique Bead Necklaces
Brass
1910s Austrian Belle Époque Antique Bead Necklaces
Copper, Cut Steel
1920s Art Deco Antique Bead Necklaces
Early 20th Century Dutch Art Deco Antique Bead Necklaces
Coral, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Italian Artisan Antique Bead Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Dutch Antique Bead Necklaces
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century Asian Art Deco Antique Bead Necklaces
Jade, 9k Gold
Early 20th Century Antique Bead Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Moroccan Antique Bead Necklaces
Silver
15th Century and Earlier Unknown Antique Bead Necklaces
Agate, Lapis Lazuli, Gold
1880s English Victorian Antique Bead Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 15k Gold, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Arts and Crafts Antique Bead Necklaces
Agate, Silver
Late 19th Century Chinese Artisan Antique Bead Necklaces
Jade, Silver
Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Antique Bead Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1750s Georgian Antique Bead Necklaces
22k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Antique Bead Necklaces
Amber, 14k Gold, Gold
1920s Italian Art Deco Antique Bead Necklaces
Coral, Silver
1880s Dutch Early Victorian Antique Bead Necklaces
Garnet, 14k Gold
1910s British Edwardian Antique Bead Necklaces
Coral
Early 20th Century Dutch Antique Bead Necklaces
Jade, Pearl, Silver
Early 1900s Italian Modern Antique Bead Necklaces
1920s Italian Antique Bead Necklaces
15th Century and Earlier Colombian Antique Bead Necklaces
Gold
Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Antique Bead Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Antique Bead Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
1910s American Art Deco Antique Bead Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
15th Century and Earlier Italian Antique Bead Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Dutch Late Victorian Antique Bead Necklaces
Coral, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Dutch Edwardian Antique Bead Necklaces
Coral, 14k Gold
1910s Unknown Edwardian Antique Bead Necklaces
Amethyst, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Antique Bead Necklaces
Coral, Gilt Metal
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Bead Necklaces
14k Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Antique Bead Necklaces
Jade, 9k Gold
Early 1900s Italian Antique Bead Necklaces
Coral, 14k Gold, Gold
15th Century and Earlier Asian Antique Bead Necklaces
Agate, Carnelian
Early 20th Century Lithuanian Antique Bead Necklaces
Amber
15th Century and Earlier American Contemporary Antique Bead Necklaces
Garnet, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Bronze
Early 20th Century Art Deco Antique Bead Necklaces
15th Century and Earlier American Contemporary Antique Bead Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Bronze, Yellow Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Antique Bead Necklaces
Glass
Late 19th Century Artisan Antique Bead Necklaces
Amber, Coral, Gold Plate
15th Century and Earlier American Classical Roman Antique Bead Necklaces
Spinel, Multi-gemstone, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Bronze
Early 20th Century Southeast Asian Artisan Antique Bead Necklaces
Brass
Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Antique Bead Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver, Gold
1920s Art Deco Antique Bead Necklaces
19th Century Antique Bead Necklaces
Coral, Gold
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Bead Necklaces
Agate, Coral, White Gold
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Antique Bead Necklaces For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Antique Bead 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 is a Samoan bead necklace?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023A Samoan bead necklace is a type of jewelry produced by the Indigenous people of Samoa, an island nation located in the Pacific Ocean. Also called ula, the necklace features natural materials like leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, shells and whale's teeth. Visitors arriving in Samoa are often presented with ula necklaces as a sign of welcome. Explore a variety of bead necklaces on 1stDibs.
- What do amber bead necklaces do?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Amber bead necklaces are believed to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. Amber is a fossilized tree resin that contains succinic acid. Many believe that when amber is heated against the body, it releases the acid onto the skin where it is absorbed, providing a boost to the body’s immune system. Find an assortment of amber bead necklaces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Identifying an antique bead is a careful art. First inspect the bead for any seams that could indicate it was molded in a contemporary fashion. Antique beads tend to have a larger center hole. Inspect the bead for signs of natural age. An expert can help you confirm the approximate age of your bead. Shop a range of antique beads from top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Why do guys wear bead necklaces?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Why guys wear bead necklaces varies. Bead necklaces may represent a person's cultural heritage, as many artisans from Africa and North American Indigenous tribes produce intricate handmade bead necklaces. In addition, bead necklaces have become associated with certain fashion styles, including surfer and boho. Men may also wear bead necklaces because they like their appearance. Find a large selection of bead necklaces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023To tell if a necklace is antique, first look for hallmarks that indicate the maker. If you locate them, you can consult trusted online resources to find out when the company or artisan was active. To qualify as an antique, a necklace must be at least 100 years old. The presence of materials that are no longer commonly used to produce jewelry, like bakelite, camphor glass, foil opals and paste, can be good indicators that a piece is an antique. Antique jewelry is also more likely to have European- and rose-cut gemstones than modern cuts like the brilliant round. Because it can be difficult to date jewelry on your own, you may wish to consult an expert, like a certified appraiser or experienced dealer, for assistance. On 1stDibs, shop a large collection of antique necklaces.
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