French Guard Chain
Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Chain Necklaces
Silver
Antique 1870s English Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 15k Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Chain Bracelets
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Rope Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s French Belle Époque Link Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Rope Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Victorian Brooches
Diamond, White Gold
Antique 1880s English Renaissance Revival Brooches
Garnet, White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Renaissance Beaded Bracelets
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Silver
1980s Italian Scarves
1980s French Belts
Antique 1880s British Victorian More Bracelets
Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass
Late 20th Century Dutch Contemporary Chain Bracelets
14k Gold
1980s French Jewelry Boxes
1980s Evening Bags and Minaudières
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s French Romantic Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate, Bronze, Enamel, Gilt Metal
Recent Sales
Antique 1880s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Silver
Antique Early 1900s French Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Victorian Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Link Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 1880s French Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Antique 1890s French Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modern Chain Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Rope Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s French Pendant Necklaces
Antique 1880s French Victorian Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1940s French Retro Link Bracelets
Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
Mid-20th Century American Retro Pendant Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Agate, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s French Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold, Gilt Metal
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Chain Necklaces
Silver
Antique 19th Century French Late Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Antique 1860s French Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Victorian Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Multi-Strand Necklaces
18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
French Guard Chain For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a French Guard Chain?
Finding the Right Necklaces for You
We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners.
Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers.
In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs.
For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone.
Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage necklaces designed by David Webb — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.
- What is a guard chain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021Guard chains are durable long chains that have a decorative clip on one end. You can use the clip as a clasp to keep the necklace in place.
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