John Hardy Transformable Lariat Necklace

After John Hardy left his home country of Canada to travel the world, he settled down in Bali, Indonesia, and became one of the world’s most-lauded designers of bracelets, necklaces, rings and other jewelry.

Hardy had studied at the Ontario College of Art & Design in Toronto before he set out globetrotting. In Indonesia, he became so smitten with the people, culture and landscape that he decided to stay, and in 1975 he started selling artisan jewelry and eventually designing his own pieces through his studies of local silversmithing. From the start, the focus was on time-honored jewelry-making traditions and details of craftsmanship.

In 1983, Hardy met an American named Cynthia Boesk who also had a small jewelry business. After they married, they merged their businesses and officially started John Hardy, making a name for themselves designing elegant and eclectic bracelets that reflected centuries-old Balinese techniques. In 1998, Italian-born French jewelry designer Guy Bedarida became the creative director of the company, staying on for 16 years and leading the brand in innovative new directions. Its Bamboo collection, with designs reminiscent of bamboo stalks, directs its sales toward planting bamboo seedlings in Indonesia, while the Kali collection takes its design cues from the distinctive pebbles found in Bali.

After learning about the harmful effects that silver mining has on the environment, Hardy became extremely committed to sustainable luxury business practices, promising that every piece is conflict-free and ethically produced during each step of the design process.

In 2017, the brand was among the jewelers challenged by Vogue Italia to craft pieces from the tagua nut in lieu of using elephant ivory and has used recycled sterling silver in its designs. Its first diamond-centered collection in 2019 concentrated on ethical sourcing and mines where workers are paid fairly. Although Hardy sold his business in 2007, it continues to operate with his name and adhere to the artisanal practices he promoted, including under jewelry designer Hollie Bonneville Barden, who served as creative director from 2016 to 2020. Along with online and global retail sales, the John Hardy Workshop and flagship Kapal Bamboo Boutique in Bali also offer the brand’s enduring designs from an open-air sustainable bamboo building.

Find a collection of John Hardy earrings, cuff bracelets and other jewelry on 1stDibs.

Vintage chain necklaces can make a statement on their own. What’s better than eye-catching chains of yellow gold or subtle silver to accessorize with everything from a designer evening dress to a comfortable sweatshirt?

Personal ornament in general has been around for eons. Ancient Egyptians designed jewelry and wore necklaces, rings and other accessories, and the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber in 1922 had the greatest impact on Art Deco jewelry. When chain necklaces first took on some visibility in ancient civilizations, these items weren’t exactly democratic.

Chain necklaces were accessories that were relegated strictly to royal families and the upper class. In ancient times, pendant necklaces conferred prestige, for example. Wealthy Greeks and Romans opted for gold and silver necklaces that featured ornate pendants and semiprecious stones. By the Renaissance period, the pendant had replaced the brooch as the most worn type of jewelry. Pendant necklaces were commonplace, or pendants were simply strung on long gold chains.

Thankfully, jewelry became more accessible over time. And trends have come and gone, but the popularity of chain necklaces today owes in part to hip-hop culture. Big, chunky gold chains and diamond necklaces were the order of the day in publicity shoots and on album covers for rappers in the early 1980s onward, and a gold chain is still a mainstay in the ever-evolving and broadening hip-hop culture as we know it.

In our modern era, a number of chain-link necklaces are trending, worn alone or layered. The stylish links that have passed the test of time include oval links, paper-clip chains and more. The best way to discover your perfect fit is to zero in on a particular name and type of link.

While it was once key to accessorizing for a formal event, a vintage chain necklace now adds a fresh dynamic to any outfit at any time of day. Find yours on 1stDibs.