Victorian Black Onyx Natural Pearl Diamond 18 Kt Locket Pendant
Located in Napoli, IT
Memories Keeper Superb Victorian period 1880 ca, large carved Onyx locket pendant with scroll open
Diamond, Onyx, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Georgian Garde Vous Cupid Locket Pendant of 17k Gold and Painted Sepia
Located in Lewisburg, PA
An exceptional Georgian pendant dating to circa 1800, masterfully designed as a large heart-shaped
Yellow Gold
$13,626
H 0.68 in W 1.42 in L 18.7 in
Antique Ruby and Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Locket Pendant Circa 1880
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
impressive Victorian locket has been crafted in 18k yellow gold. This large and substantial antique
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
$3,785
W 1.125 in L 2 in
Antique Victorian North Star Pendant Locket Blue Enamel 14k Rose Gold Diamond
Located in Torrance, CA
memorialize a loved one. Crafted in soft 14k rose gold the locket is larger in scale at 2 x 1 1/8 inches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
$16,500 / set
W 1.03 in L 11.42 in
Rare Etruscan Revival 18K Gold Locket Necklace attr. Eugene Fontenay, Paris 1870
By Eugene Fontenay
Located in New York, NY
Large, stunning granulated antique French Etruscan Revival locket with the original, equally
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Diamond Enamel Mourning Cross Pendant - 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Towson, MD
larger item, possibly a locket, before being converted into a standalone cross. This possibility further
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel
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.
If jewelry could talk, we know this piece would have good stories.
Emblems of heartfelt emotion, elegant vessels for photos and keepsakes and perfect for layering, these special ornaments are an essential component of any thoughtfully curated jewelry collection.
With more than 100 carats of diamonds, this vintage stunner converts into different styles, making it as versatile as it is breathtaking.
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
Organic shapes, surprising textures, shimmering colors and inventive embellishments take the new generation of pearl jewelry from classic to cutting-edge.
Soak up the pleasures of the season with a these bold gems.
Learn more about the stylish links that have passed the test of time.
After more than a decade creating the iconic Lanvin gems of the Alber Elbaz years, designer Elie Top dove into the world of fine jewelry, mixing silver and gold to create his own striking, timeless look.