Devotional Scapular
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Bronze, Gold-filled
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
Opal, Ruby, Gold Plate, Silver, Brass
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
Pink Sapphire, Gold Plate, Bronze
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
Pink Sapphire, Gold Plate, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Silver
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Vintage 1960s French Artist Pendant Necklaces
Mixed Metal
Vintage 1970s Etruscan Revival Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1950s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Chalcedony, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Cluster Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1960s American Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Pocket Watches
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1990s American Drop Earrings
Citrine, Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Amethyst, Gilt Metal
Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Late 20th Century Egyptian Egyptian Revival Link Necklaces
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Yellow Gold, Enamel, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Artisan More Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1960s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1940s American Retro Brooches
Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Modern Cocktail Rings
Gold Plate, Yellow Gold
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Antique 17th Century Spanish Baroque Religious Items
Gold, Enamel, Other
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.