Medallion Necklace Christian Dior
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s French Multi-Strand Necklaces
Vintage 1980s French Artist Choker Necklaces
Mixed Metal
Vintage 1980s French Link Necklaces
Mid-20th Century French Modern Pendant Necklaces
Gold, Enamel
1990s French Modern Pendant Necklaces
People Also Browsed
1990s Italian Cufflinks
White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Bangles
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Tote Bags
1960s American Cocktail Dresses
Vintage 1960s American More Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s More Jewelry
Vintage 1970s Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1980s French Artisan Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
2010s Turkish Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1980s Multi-Strand Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Art Deco Fashion Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold
1980s French Clutches
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
1990s Choker Necklaces
Crystal
Vintage 1950s Drop Necklaces
Early 2000s French Belle Époque Choker Necklaces
Silver Plate
Recent Sales
Vintage 1980s German Link Necklaces
20th Century French More Necklaces
20th Century German Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1970s French Beaded Necklaces
Early 2000s French Choker Necklaces
20th Century French Belts
20th Century French Link Necklaces
Early 2000s Chain Necklaces
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Choker Necklaces
Early 1900s Wedding Dresses
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Malachite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Choker Necklaces
20th Century German Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1950s French Pendant Necklaces
Crystal, Rhodium
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
20th Century German Choker Necklaces
Early 2000s French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Early 2000s French Choker Necklaces
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Late 20th Century French Choker Necklaces
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.