Enso Medallion
2010s Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
People Also Browsed
2010s Chain Necklaces
Gold
1990s French Contemporary Wedding Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Italian Jackets
20th Century French Modern Brooches
Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century American Modern Link Necklaces
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Classical Greek Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Evening Dresses and Gowns
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Bangles
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Pink Diamond, White Diamond, Diamond, Rose Gold
2010s Romantic Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire
Vintage 1950s Italian Brooches
White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
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.