Japanese Fresh Water Pearls
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Drop Earrings
Pearl
2010s Chinese Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Silver
2010s American Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Go...
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Vintage 1980s Drop Earrings
2010s Thai Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Rhodium, Sterling Silver, Enamel
2010s Thai Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1950s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1980s Modern Beaded Necklaces
Vintage 1970s Beaded Necklaces
Vintage 1960s Pendant Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1990s Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1970s American Modern Brooches
2010s Indian Anglo-Indian Pendant Necklaces
Other, Sterling Silver, Base Metal
Vintage 1960s French Drop Necklaces
Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite
20th Century Italian Pendant Necklaces
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century Beaded Necklaces
Crystal
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2010s Pendant Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Silver, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Black Pearl, Silver
Late 20th Century French Art Deco Multi-Strand Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Silver, Titanium
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gilt Metal
2010s Australian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Chrysoberyl, Chrysophrase, Coral, Crystal, Jade, Opal, Pearl, Cul...
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Carnelian, Freshwater Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Croatian Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Coral, Pearl
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Pearl, Peridot, Coral, Silver
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Amethyst, Pearl, Silver, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
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2010s Drop Earrings
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl
Antique 19th Century Japanese More Necklaces
Cultured Pearl
2010s American Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary More Rings
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Pearl
Japanese Beaded Necklaces
Late 20th Century Thai Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
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.
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