Dichroic Glass Jewelry
Late 20th Century American Modern Link Bracelets
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s American Collectible Jewelry
2010s Canadian Art Deco Dry Bars
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Dry Bars
Brass
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Glass, Mirror, Maple, Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Wood, Birch
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chairs
Plastic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Floor Mirrors a...
Glass, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Wall Mirrors
Marble, Brass
2010s Greek Night Stands
Wood
2010s American Modern Beds and Bed Frames
Upholstery
Vintage 1950s American Industrial Floor Lamps
Aluminum, Iron
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern More Desk Accessories
Teak
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Velvet
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Decorative Objects
Metal
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
Wrought Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Vanities
Brass
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Mounted Objects
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Beds and Bed Frames
Fiberglass
Recent Sales
2010s Australian Contemporary Brooches
Gold, Sterling Silver, Enamel
2010s American Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Tourmaline, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Topaz, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Dry Bars
Brass
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.