Antique German ON / NO Pendant Locket solid 18K Gold / 5.6 gr
Located in SE
Antique German Pendant / Locket made of solid 18K Yellow Gold with hand-engraved monogram ON or NO hand-engraved on the frontal side. Tightly closing halves with two internal removab...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Theodor Fahrner 1930s Silver Gilt Vintage Shell Necklace
By Theodor Fahrner
Located in Wilmslow, England
This necklace is an elegant example of the 1930s silver work of the German Theodor Fahrner company. Condition Report: Excellent The Details... This necklace is constructed from si...
Marcasite, Silver
Christian Dior Vintage Gold Curved Yellow Crystals Omega Interlocked Necklace
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Unisex Curved Bar Custard Yellow Enamel Pendant Crystals Omega Interlocked Modernist Necklace, Gold Tone Good condition. Light scratches or colour loss,...
Gold Plate
Christian Dior Vintage Unisex Long Crystals Crescent Silver Pendant Necklace
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Unisex Large Long Whole Sparkling Crystals Crescent Pendant Modernist Necklace, Silver Tone Very good condition. Not any stones loss. Very light scratch...
Silver Plate
Christian Dior 1964 Vintage Grey Oval Moonstone Mesh Woven Necklace
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1964 Unisex Rare Grey Oval Moonstones Mesh Woven Interlocked Elegant Modernist Choker Collar Necklace, Gold Plated Very good condition. Not any stones lost. L...
Gold Plate
Christian Dior Vintage Rare Ruby Sapphire Emerald Cabochon Chunky Necklace
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior 1970s Vintage Unisex Ruby Sapphire Emerald Cabochon Spiral Circle Dome Red Blue Green Crystals Water Drop Oval Flowers Modernist Elegant Chunky Statement Necklace, Gol...
Gold Plate
Escada Vintage Salmon Pink Pearl Necklace with Gold Toned Rhinestone Closure
By Escada
Located in Bochum, DE
Vintage Escada necklace with rhinestone-studded ball screw clasp, made of 14 mm [0.55 in.] fashion jewelry beads/ faux pearls light copper colored with metallic luster. Maker's mark ...
Pearl, Gold Plate
Christian Dior Vintage Rare Unisex Gold Double Curled Leaf Crystals Necklace
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Unisex Vivid Textured Double Curled Leaf Crystals Pendant Elegant Necklace, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. 100% Genuine. Rare to find. Very beaut...
Gold Plate
Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace with Green Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This art deco pendant necklace is made of sterling silver and features a large 15x15x8 mm vivid dark green grown quartz (or natural minty transparent), which was cut specifically for...
Amethyst, Quartz, Silver, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace with Green Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This art deco pendant necklace is made of sterling silver and features a large 15x15x8 mm vivid dark grown green quartz, which was cut specifically for the artist. It is a part of th...
Amethyst, Quartz, Silver, Sterling Silver
Christian Dior Vintage Rare Gold Crystals Crescent Curved Hoop Pendant Necklace
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Unisex Crescent Curved Bar Crystals Hoop Pendant Elegant Modernist Necklace, Gold Tone Very excellent condition. Not any stones lost or colour loss. 100...
Gold Plate
Art Deco Gold Plated Mother of Pearl and Rhinestones Jewellery Set circa 1930s
Located in London, GB
Fabulous gold plated original Art Deco necklace, bracelet, brooch and earrings set.
Christian Dior Vintage 1966 Gripoix 3D Emerald Sapphire Lilac Pinecone Necklace
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1966 Large 3D Gripoix Emerald Sapphire Light Blue Navy Lilac Pinecone Six Layers Flower Chunky Openwork Crystals Cabochon Pendant Charm Elegant Long Necklace, ...
Gold Plate
Art Deco Green Onyx and Marcasite Pendant, Wachenheimer
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Green Onyx and Marcasite Pendant set in sterling by Wachenheimer, Germany. Fancy cut crysophrase stones are set into Art Deco design set with marcasites. Wachenheimer made h...
Onyx, Marcasite, Sterling Silver
1930s Silver & Peking Glass Art Deco 3 Piece Jewellery Set
Located in London, GB
This exquisite 1930s Art Deco Peking Glass 3 piece set with prong set rock crystals is comprised of drop earrings, matching bracelet and necklace with a large drop pendant, and is in...
Silver
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Crystals Square Choker Pendant Omega Gold Necklace
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Crystals Sparkling Square Pendant Omega Choker Collar Necklace, Gold Plated Very excellent condition. 100% Genuine. Marked 'Chr.Dior (C) '. Rare to fin...
Gold Plate
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Gold Geometric Ribbed Omega Snake Choker Necklace
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Unisex Geometric Pendant Ribbed Omega Snake Choker Collar Modernist Chunky Statement Necklace, Gold Plated Very good condition. Light scratches or colou...
Gold Plate
White Gold Pendant Necklace with Green Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This art deco style pendant necklace is in 18 karat white gold with the big 15x15x8 mm size grown vivid dark green quartz, cut for the artist. It belongs to the Ink collection, featu...
Amethyst, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Silver
Yellow Gold Contemporary Pendant Necklace with Amethyst
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This 14 karat yellow gold pendant necklace features a large 15x15x8 mm grown amethyst, specially cut for the artist. It is part of the Ink collection, which has been featured in publ...
Amethyst, Quartz, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Large Black Tourmaline Necklace Schorl Silver pendant Crystal unisex jewelry
Located in Berlin, DE
Natural Black Tourmaline crystal necklace Tourmaline origin - Namibia crystal measurements - 0.79 х 1.18 х 1.97 in / 20 х 30 х 50 mm stone weight - 129 carats pendant weight - 38.06...
Crystal, Tourmaline, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace 7–8mm 83cm 14K Gold Ruby Clasp
Located in Buckingham , Buckinghamshire
A luminous Akoya pearl opera necklace, distinguished by a decorative ruby-set gold clasp designed to be worn as an elegant focal point. Key Details Type: Akoya cultured pearls Leng...
Ruby, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold
Antique Necklace Aquamarine Diamonds solid 18K Gold Platinum Silver/4.6gr
Located in SE
Ca. 1920s -1930s German Lavalier styled necklace with main part / pendant in solid 18K Gold topped with platinum decorated with natural bezel set pear cut Aquamarine accented Diamon...
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Silver
Yellow Gold Contemporary Minimalistic Pendant Necklace with Minty Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This designer Minimalistic contemporary pendant necklace is made of 18K yellow gold with a beautiful 15x15x3 mm transparent prasiolite. The design has an art deco reference but looks...
Chalcedony, Quartz, Silver, Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold
Fanta Spessartite Garnet Tumble Beaded Necklace Natural Gemstone
Located in Jaipur, RJ
AAA + QUALITY WT - 200.05 CT SIZE - 6 x 6.30 to 10 x 16 MM 22 Inches
Garnet, Mandarin Garnet, Other
Eighteen Karat White Gold Pendant Necklace with Green Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This art deco style pendant necklace is in 18 karat white gold with the big 15x15x8 mm size grown vivid dark green quartz, cut for the artist. It belongs to the Ink collection, featu...
Amethyst, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Silver
Eighteen Karat Yellow Gold Contemporary Pendant Necklace with Smoky Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This contemporary pendant necklace is a part of the Ink collection, which has gained recognition and was featured in prestigious publications like Harper's Bazaar and Vogue UA. It wa...
Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Eighteen Karat Gold Contemporary Ink Pendant Necklace with Smoky Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This designer pendant necklace from the Ink collection features a smoky quartz set in 18K gold. The large 15x15x3 mm stone is cut in a unique shape that evokes the art deco style, wh...
Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Fourteen Karat White Gold Pendant Necklace with Green Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This 14 Karat White Gold pendant necklace features a large 15x15x8 mm green quartz, specially cut for the artist. It is part of the Ink collection, which has been featured in publica...
Amethyst, Quartz, Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
Eighteen Karat Gold Contemporary Ink Pendant Necklace with Smoky Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This designer pendant necklace from the Ink collection features a smoky quartz set in 18K white gold. The large 15x15x3 mm stone is cut in a unique shape that evokes the art deco sty...
Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
A turquoise and frosted bead, clear crystal and paste sautoir necklace, 1920s
Located in Greyabbey, County Down
The clasp is marked DRGM which suggests a German origin, although this Art Deco style would normally be of French origin.
Crystal, Base Metal
Eighteen Karat Yellow Gold Contemporary Elephant Amethyst Pendant Necklace
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This contemporary pendant necklace, named after Mesopotamia, feature natural amethyst in octagon cut and golden elephant. It belongs to the collection, which was featured in a publis...
Amethyst, Quartz, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Featured in Vogue UA Eighteen Karat Gold Pendant Necklace with Smoky Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This designer pendant necklace from the Ink collection features a smoky quartz set in 18 karat yellow gold. The large 15x15x3 mm stone is cut in a unique shape that evokes the art de...
Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Featured in Vogue UA Fourteen Karat Gold Pendant Necklace with Smoky Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This designer pendant necklace from the Ink collection features a smoky quartz set in 14 karat white gold. The large 15x15x3 mm stone is cut in a unique shape that evokes the art dec...
Quartz, Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
Round Pendant Necklace - 18k White Gold - Turquoise Enamel Guilloche 30 Diamonds
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer round pendant necklace 18k white gold, Trance Collection, translucent turquoise vitreous enamel, guilloche, 30 diamonds, total 0.15 ct, G VS, diameter app. 12.5 mm Abou...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
Featured in Vogue UA Fourteen Karat Gold Pendant Necklace with Smoky Quartz
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
The Ink collection, designed by Berlin-based oil painter Polya Medvedeva, has been featured in both Harper's Bazaar and Vogue UA. This pendant, part of the collection, is crafted fro...
Quartz, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Eighteen Karat Yellow Gold Contemporary Elephant Smoky Quartz Pendant Necklace
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This contemporary pendant necklace, named after Mesopotamia, feature natural smoky quartz and golden elephant. It belongs to the collection, which was featured in a published issue o...
Amethyst, Quartz, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Eighteen Karat Yellow Gold Contemporary Elephant Rose Quartz Pendant Necklace
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This contemporary pendant necklace, named after Mesopotamia, feature natural rose quartz and golden elephant. It belongs to the collection, which was featured in a published issue of...
Amethyst, Quartz, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Eighteen Karat Rose Gold Contemporary Elephant Rose Quartz Pendant Necklace
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This contemporary pendant necklace, named after Mesopotamia, feature natural rose quartz and golden elephant. It belongs to the collection, which was featured in a published issue of...
Amethyst, Quartz, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Eighteen Karat Yellow Gold Contemporary Floral Smoky Quartz Pendant Necklace
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This contemporary pendant necklace, named after Mesopotamia, feature natural smoky quartz and golden daffodil flower. It belongs to the collection, which was featured in a published ...
Amethyst, Quartz, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
2.50 Carat Blue Sapphire and 1.63 Carat Diamond Necklace in 18K White Gold
Located in Warszawa, PL
Sapphire necklace, 2.50 carats, diamond necklace, 1.63 carats, 18K white gold, vintage-inspired design. This elegant necklace is crafted from 18-karat white gold and showcases a natu...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Eighteen Karat Yellow Gold Contemporary Daffodil Rose Quartz Pendant Necklace
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This contemporary pendant necklace, named after Mesopotamia, feature natural rose quartz in octagon cut and golden daffodil. It belongs to the collection, which was featured in a pub...
Amethyst, Quartz, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Christian Dior Vintage Crystals Peacock Charm Gold Tassel Elegant Necklace
By Christian Dior
Located in Wokingham, England
Christian Dior Vintage 1980s Whole Sparkling Round Circle Crystals Charm Peacock Eyes Double Layer Tassel Elegant Pendant Necklace, Gold Plated Very good condition. Not any stones l...
Gold Plate
Eighteen Karat Yellow Gold Contemporary Daffodil Flower Topaz Pendant Necklace
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This contemporary pendant necklace, named after Mesopotamia, feature natural topaz and golden daffodil flower. It belongs to the collection, which was featured in a published issue o...
Amethyst, Quartz, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Round Pendant Necklace 18k White Gold Purple Enamel Guilloche 30 Diamonds 0.15ct
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer round pendant necklace 18k white gold, Trance Collection, translucent purple vitreous enamel, guilloche, 30 diamonds, total 0.15 ct, G VS, diameter app. 12.5 mm About t...
Diamond, White Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
Round Pendant Necklace 18k Rose Gold Turquoise Enamel Guilloche 5 Diamond 0.07ct
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer round pendant necklace 18k rose gold, Macaron Collection, translucent opalescent turquoise vitreous enamel, guilloche, 5 diamonds total 0.07 ct, G VS, brilliant cut, dia...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
Majestic art deco Chain pendant with diamond and blue opal in 14k gold
Located in Berlin, BE
Immerse yourself in the dreamlike beauty of this exquisite 14k white gold pendant, a true work of art that captivates with its elegance and grace. The centerpiece of this pendant is ...
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
Featured in Vogue Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace with Blue Quartz by Artist
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This designer pendant necklace from the Ink collection is crafted from 14 karat yellow gold and features a large 15x15x8 mm natural blue quartz. It has been featured in Harper's Baza...
Chalcedony, Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Round Locket Pendant Necklace 18k White Gold Purple Enamel 12 Diamonds 0.19 ct
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Round locket pendant necklace, 18k white gold, Merian Collection, opalescent purple and grey vitreous enamel, 12 diamonds, total 0.19 ct G VS, brilliant cut About the creator Victor...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel, White Gold
Fabergé Egg-Silhouette Pendant Necklace 18k Yellow Gold Orange and Yellow Enamel
By Fabergé
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Fabergé Limited Edition Egg-Silhouette Pendant Necklace in 18k Yellow and White Gold With Orange and Yellow Translucent Guilloche Vitreous Enamel and Diamonds A refined Fabergé pend...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Key Pendant Necklace 18k White Gold Pink Enamel 162 Diamonds 1.90ct Amethyst
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer key pendant necklace 18k white gold, pink vitreous enamel, 162 diamonds, total 1.90 ct, G VS brilliant cut, amethyst cabichon, modelled after an original safe key from V...
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
Round Pendant Necklace 18k White Gold Grey Enamel Guilloche 30 Diamonds 0.15 ct
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer round pendant necklace 18k white gold, Trance Collection, translucent light grey vitreous enamel, guilloche, 30 diamonds, total 0.15 ct, G VS, diameter app. 12.5 mm Abo...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
Heart-Shape Locket Pendant Necklace 18k Yellow Gold Pink & Red Enamel 6 Diamonds
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer heart shaped locket pendant necklace, enamel link chain, 18k yellow gold, pink and burgundy red vitreous enamel, 6 diamonds, total 0.12 ct, H VS About the creator Victo...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Round Pendant Necklace 18k White Gold Blue Enamel Guilloche 30 Diamonds 0.15 ct
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer round pendant necklace 18k white gold, Trance Collection, translucent medium blue vitreous enamel, guilloche, 30 diamonds, total 0.15 ct, G VS, diameter app. 12.5 mm Ab...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
Round Pendant Necklace 18k White Gold Red Enamel Guilloche 30 Diamonds 0.15 ct
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer round pendant necklace 18k white gold, Trance Collection, translucent aubergine red vitreous enamel, guilloche, 30 diamonds, total 0.15 ct, G VS, diameter app. 12.5 mm ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Round Pendant Necklace 18k White Gold Yellow Gold Enamel 72 Diamonds 0.53ct
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer round pendant necklace Artemis 18k white and yellow gold (base for enamel disc), amber colored vitreous enamel, 72 diamonds, total 0.53 ct, G VS, brilliant cut About th...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Oval Pendant Locket Necklace 18k White Gold Green Enamel 35 Diamonds 16 Emeralds
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer oval pendant locket necklace 18k white gold, Peacock Collection, emerald green guilloche vitreous enamel, 35 diamonds, total 0.69 ct, G VS, brilliant cut, 18 Emerald Cab...
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Round Pendant Necklace 18k White Gold Green Enamel Guilloche 30 Diamonds 0.15 ct
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer round pendant 18k white gold, Trance Collection, translucent light green vitreous enamel, guilloche, 30 diamonds, total 0.15 ct, G VS, diameter app. 12.5 mm About the c...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Key Pendant Necklace 18k White Gold Grey Enamel 162 Diamonds 1.90 Ct Amethyst
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer key pendant necklace, 18k white gold, falcon grey vitreous enamel, 162 diamonds, total 1.90 ct, G VS brilliant cut, Amethyst About the creator Victor Mayer Victor Mayer...
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
Round Pendant Necklace 18k White Gold Amber Yellow Enamel 213 diamonds 2.12 ct
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer round Pendant Necklace, 18k white and yellow gold (disc underneath enamel), Artemins collection, amber yellow vitreous enamel, guilloche engraving underneath, 213 diamon...
Diamond, White Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victor Mayer Pendant Necklace 18k White Gold Cloisonné Enamel 109 Diamonds 3 ct
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer round pendant necklace Sakura, 18k white gold, multicolour vitreous cloisonné enamel, 109 brilliant cut diamonds, total 3.07 ct, G VS, diameter app. 48 mm About the cre...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Fascination with the Jazz Age is endless, and even today jewelry designers continue to be inspired by authentic Art Deco jewelry and watches.
The Art Deco period, encompassing the 1920s and ’30s, ushered in a very distinct look in the design of jewelry. There were many influences on the jewelry of the era that actually began to take shape prior to the 1920s. In 1909, Serge Diaghilev brought the Ballet Russes to Paris, and women went wild for the company’s exotic and vibrant costumes It’s no wonder, then, that jade, lapis lazuli, coral, turquoise and other bright gemstones became all the rage. There already existed a fascination with the East, particularly China and Japan, and motifs consisting of fans and masks started to show up in Art Deco jewelry.
However, the event that had the greatest influence on Deco was the excavation of the tomb of King Tut in 1922. When the world saw what was hidden in Tut’s burial chamber, it sent just about everyone into a frenzy. Pierre Cartier wrote in 1923 that “the discovery of the tomb will bring some sweeping changes in fashion jewelry.” And he couldn’t have been more right. “Egyptomania” left an indelible mark on all of the major jewelry houses, from Cartier to Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron and Georges Fouquet. (Cartier created some of the most iconic jewelry designs that defined this era.)
While a lot of Art Deco jewelry was black and white — the black coming from the use of onyx or black enamel and the white from rock crystal and diamonds — there is plenty of color in jewelry of the era. A perfect accent to diamonds in platinum settings were blue sapphires, emeralds and rubies, and these stones were also used in combination with each other.
Many designers employed coral, jade and lapis lazuli, too. In fact, some of the most important avant-garde jewelers of the period, like Jean Després and Jean Fouquet (son of Georges), would combine white gold with ebony and malachite for a jolt of color.
A lot of the jewelry produced during this time nodded to current fashion trends, and women often accessorized their accessories. The cloche hat was often accented with geometric diamond brooches or double-clip brooches. Backless evening dresses looked fabulous with sautoir necklaces, and long pearl necklaces that ended with tassels, popular during the Edwardian period, were favored by women everywhere, including Coco Chanel.
Find unique Art Deco necklaces, earrings, bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
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. Today, Van Cleef necklaces, Tiffany necklaces and Cartier necklaces are some of the most popularly searched designer necklaces on 1stDibs.
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 David Webb necklaces — 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 Dior, Chanel and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.