Coin Necklace Seleucid
21st Century and Contemporary Classical Greek Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 22k Gold
2010s North American Empire Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Hematite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Pendant Necklaces
22k Gold
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Vintage 1970s Beaded Bracelets
Jade
1990s French Link Bracelets
Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 18th Century Italian Victorian More Jewelry
18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Diamond, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Fashion Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Belle Époque More Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Signet Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Classical Greek Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Classical Greek Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Fashion Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Bangles
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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