Chanel Loupe Necklace
Late 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate
1990s French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1990s French Modern Chain Necklaces
Base Metal
1990s French Pendant Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s Blouses
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Multi-Strand Necklaces
Crystal, Silver, Base Metal
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21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Cuff Bracelets
Agate, Citrine, Quartz, Turquoise, Silver
Vintage 1980s French Modern Chain Necklaces
Pearl
Vintage 1980s French Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate
1990s French Pendant Necklaces
1990s French Pendant Necklaces
2010s French Necklace Enhancers
1990s French Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Multi-Strand Necklaces
Vintage 1970s American Native American Drop Necklaces
Coral, Onyx, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s French Artisan Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
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Diamond, Platinum
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20th Century French Chain Necklaces
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1970s American Clip-on Earrings
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Vintage 1980s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
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21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold
Vintage 1980s French Chain Necklaces
1990s French Chain Necklaces
1990s French Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Late 20th Century French More Necklaces
20th Century Jewelry Rolls
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1980s French Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary French Beaded Necklaces
1990s French Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
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.