Jade Cicada
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Pendant Necklaces
Jade
2010s Artist Pendant Necklaces
Jade, 18k Gold
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Antique Early 1900s Italian Artisan Drop Earrings
Coral, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Ruby, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
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Jade
2010s Hong Kong Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1930s Chinese Contemporary Figurines and Sculptures
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Jade, Morganite, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1970s French Modern Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Bangles
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary Burmese Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Jade, 18k Gold
1990s Hong Kong Contemporary Dome Rings
Chrysoberyl, Diamond, Cat’s Eye, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Beaded Necklaces
Jade, 9k Gold
20th Century Chinese Figurines and Sculptures
Jade
Antique Early 1900s Italian Artisan Brooches
Coral, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Cluster Rings
Amethyst, Jade, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Drop Necklaces
Jade, 18k Gold
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21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Artisan Brooches
Diamond, Jade, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s Clip-on Earrings
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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