Bulgari Cross
Late 20th Century Swiss Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Vanity Items
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Modern Cocktail Rings
Chalcedony, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary French Tote Bags
20th Century French Solitaire Rings
Agate, Chalcedony, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Quartz
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Italian Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century Fashion Rings
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Aesthetic Movement Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Silver
Antique 1840s British Early Victorian Link Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold
Early 2000s French Cocktail Dresses
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tanzanite, 22k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1930s French Retro Beaded Bracelets
Sapphire
1990s Italian Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
Early 2000s Necklace Enhancers
Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Malachite, 18k Gold
20th Century Italian Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Italian Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
Vintage 1970s Unknown Cuff Bracelets
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1970s Italian Necklace Enhancers
Malachite, Onyx, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Modern Bangles
18k Gold, Steel
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 Bvlgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.