Ervin Tsosie
Late 20th Century American Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Native American Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
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Vintage 1970s American Art Deco Clamper Bracelets
1990s American Native American Cocktail Rings
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s French Bangles
Gold Plate
Vintage 1960s Greek Modernist Clip-on Earrings
22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Cuff Bracelets
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Cuff Bracelets
Lapis Lazuli, Agate, Brass
1990s American Beaded Bracelets
Sterling Silver, Bronze
Vintage 1970s American Modern Bangles
20th Century American Beaded Necklaces
Turquoise, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French More Bracelets
Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
Vintage 1970s French Cuff Bracelets
Vintage 1970s Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Egyptian Revival Cuff Bracelets
Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s French Clamper Bracelets
Gold Plate
Vintage 1970s French Bangles
Gold, Base Metal
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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