Manatee Necklace
Vintage 1980s Unknown Retro Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Vintage 1950s Japanese Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Jade
Vintage 1950s Japanese Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Jade
Antique 1870s American Victorian More Earrings
Coral, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Gilt Metal
Antique Early 19th Century English Early Victorian Link Necklaces
Steel
Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Beaded Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Victorian Engagement Rings
Coral, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Pendant Necklaces
Jade, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century European Beaded Necklaces
Jade, Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Beaded Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Modernist Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Shakudo
Vintage 1950s Beaded Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1960s Italian Beaded Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1870s American Victorian Chandelier Earrings
Coral, 18k Gold, Gold, 22k Gold
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.