Chanel Sautoir 1950s
Vintage 1950s French Renaissance Rope Necklaces
Gold Plate, Bronze, Gilt Metal
Vintage 1950s French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal, Bronze
Vintage 1950s French Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Silver Plate, Bronze, Enamel
Vintage 1950s French Art Deco Multi-Strand Necklaces
Crystal, Mixed Metal
Vintage 1950s French Byzantine Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal, Silver, Vermeil
20th Century French More Necklaces
Gold
Vintage 1940s French Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Silver, Gilt Metal
People Also Browsed
Early 2000s French Choker Necklaces
Antique 19th Century Italian Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Yellow Gold
1990s French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Mid-20th Century French Byzantine Beaded Necklaces
Pearl
1990s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1960s French Byzantine Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Gilt Metal
Vintage 1930s French Brooches
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold
20th Century French Brooches
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1960s French More Jewelry
Gold Plate, Bronze, Gilt Metal
Vintage 1930s French Byzantine Brooches
Amethyst, Pearl, Quartz, Gold, Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold
1990s French Brooches
Vintage 1930s French Modern Brooches
Late 20th Century French Artisan Chain Necklaces
Pearl
Vintage 1980s Chain Necklaces
Recent Sales
Vintage 1950s French Multi-Strand Necklaces
Vintage 1950s French Multi-Strand Necklaces
Vintage 1950s French Baroque Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1950s French Rope Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1950s French Drop Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1930s French Drop Necklaces
Base Metal
Vintage 1960s French Pendant Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1960s French Baroque Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1970s American Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Amethyst, Jade, Onyx, Quartz, Gilt Metal
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023In the 1950s, a Chanel bag was priced between $200 and $300. The iconic Chanel 2.55 bag cost $220 when first introduced in February 1955. Accounting for inflation, that works out to around $2,536 in today's money. On 1stDibs, find a diverse assortment of Chanel bags from some of the world's top boutiques.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023Some popular watches for men during the 1950s were the Rolex Submariner, the Enicar Sherpa Dive, the Breitling Navitimer, Omega, Constellation and the Rolex GMT-Master. Rolex, Timex, Orvin, Tower and Elgin were among the top watchmakers for women during the decade. On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary watches.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024The clothing style in the 1950s was well tailored and classic. For women, dresses with padded busts, cinched waists and hips, and full circle skirts were popular, and the collared button-up shirt dress came into fashion during the decade. Men tended to wear suits in neutral gray, dark blue and brown colors made out of easy-to-care-for synthetic fabrics. Straight-cut double-breasted blazers were commonly worn for casual occasions. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of vintage clothing from the 1950s.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023In the 1950s, several diamond cuts were popular. They included the brilliant round cut, the Asscher cut, the emerald cut and the marquise cut. Rings that featured a large central stone flanked by smaller baguettes were also trendy during the decade. Find a collection of vintage diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023In the 1990s, there were a few models and celebrities who served as the faces of Chanel. They included actress Anna Mouglalis, model and actress Carole Bouquet, model Claudia Schiffer and musician Vanessa Paradis. Shop a collection of Chanel pieces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023There were a few popular diamond cuts in the 1950s. One was the brilliant round cut, which is still common today due to its simple shape and prominent sparkle. Other favorite cuts of the decade included the Asscher cut, the emerald cut and the marquise cut. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of engagement rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023How much Chanel bags were in the 1950s varied based on style. When introduced in 1955, the now iconic Chanel 2.55 sold for $220. Chanel has raised the price of popular accessories over the years. Shop a large collection of Chanel bags from some of the world's top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024How much Chanel bags cost in the 1990s varied from piece to piece and from year to year. For example, in 1990, the iconic Chanel flap bag's price was $1,150. When adjusted for inflation, that is around $2,280 in today's money. Shop a diverse assortment of Chanel bags on 1stDibs.
Read More
A Centuries-Old Style, Lockets Have Never Lost Their Romantic Appeal
Emblems of heartfelt emotion, elegant vessels for photos and keepsakes and perfect for layering, these special ornaments are an essential component of any thoughtfully curated jewelry collection.
This Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Is an Heirloom in the Making
With more than 100 carats of diamonds, this vintage stunner converts into different styles, making it as versatile as it is breathtaking.
[Survey] Two-Thirds of Jewelry Gift Recipients Don’t Want to Be Surprised
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
Next-Level Pearls That Go Well Beyond the Expected
Organic shapes, surprising textures, shimmering colors and inventive embellishments take the new generation of pearl jewelry from classic to cutting-edge.
7 Vibrant Jewels for a Breezy Late-Summer Wardrobe
Soak up the pleasures of the season with a these bold gems.
Whether Worn Alone or Layered, These Chain Link Necklaces Are Trending
Learn more about the stylish links that have passed the test of time.
Meet the Dapper, Mustachioed Parisian Who’s Tops in Crafting Enticing Jewels
After more than a decade creating the iconic Lanvin gems of the Alber Elbaz years, designer Elie Top dove into the world of fine jewelry, mixing silver and gold to create his own striking, timeless look.