Frank Gehry Orchid
20th Century American Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
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21st Century and Contemporary French Charm Bracelets
Diamond, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Link Bracelets
Silver, Sterling Silver
1990s Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bangles
18k Gold
2010s American Bangles
White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Modern Bracelets
Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Charm Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s More Bracelets
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Desk Accessories
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Vintage 1980s French More Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s British Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
Rose Gold
Recent Sales
20th Century Modern Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
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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