Museum Quality Necklace
Antique 1880s Indian Rope Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 22k Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, 10k Gold, Gold-filled, Silver
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Etruscan Revival Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 19th Century Unknown Belle Époque Drop Necklaces
Citrine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique 19th Century French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Ruby, Emerald, Enamel, Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique 17th Century European Baroque Pendant Necklaces
Carnelian, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklace Enhancers
Agate, Garnet, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Swiss Modernist Link Necklaces
Cat’s Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Aquamarine, Beryl, Morganite, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s American Beaded Necklaces
Coral
Antique Early 1900s British Arts and Crafts More Necklaces
Amethyst, Chalcedony, 18k Gold
Antique Early 19th Century British Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
Vintage 1940s American Native American Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century North American Native American Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Link Necklaces
Diamond, Tanzanite, Platinum
Vintage 1960s American Artisan Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s American Artisan Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Antique 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s Swiss Link Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century European Victorian Multi-Strand Necklaces
Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli, Multi-gemstone, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Egyptian Revival Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, Turquoise, Enamel, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Danish Modernist More Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary More Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Native American Pendant Necklaces
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, 14k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Link Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 19th Century European Renaissance Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 19th Century Unknown Etruscan Revival Pendant Necklaces
Coral, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Emerald
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
20th Century American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Silver Plate
Antique 19th Century Austrian Renaissance Revival Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Enamel, Silver
Antique 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Unknown Egyptian Revival Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Enamel, Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Marcasite, Rock Crystal, Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Early 1800s Victorian Choker Necklaces
Emerald
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, White Gold, Enamel, 14k Gold
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century German Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Marcasite, Crystal, Rock Crystal, Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold
Antique 19th Century French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Silver Plate
Antique 19th Century Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Enamel, Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Classical Roman Pendant Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Gilt Metal
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Museum Quality Necklace For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Museum Quality Necklace?
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2023To tell a quality pearl necklace, examine the individual pearls one by one. Each pearl has its own unique texture. If all of the pearls on a piece look and feel completely identical, the necklace may not be genuine. Also, look at how light reflects on the surface of the pearls. On high-quality pearls, reflections will look bright and sharp, while fairer pearls will show off weak or blurred reflections. You can also have your necklace evaluated by a licensed appraiser or knowledgeable dealer to assess its quality. Find a large assortment of pearl necklaces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 23, 2024What the highest-quality silver necklace is depends on your definition of "high quality." If you mean the type that is the most pure, fine .999 silver is the answer. It is 99.9% pure silver, with the tiny remainder of its contents coming from trace elements. On the other hand, if you define quality by durability and longevity, .925 sterling silver, which is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloy metal, may be a better option. Fine .999 silver is soft and more reactive, making it more vulnerable to tarnishing and scratching than .925 sterling. Explore a diverse assortment of silver necklaces on 1stDibs.
Read More
A Centuries-Old Style, Lockets Have Never Lost Their Romantic Appeal
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This Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Is an Heirloom in the Making
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Whether Worn Alone or Layered, These Chain Link Necklaces Are Trending
Learn more about the stylish links that have passed the test of time.
Meet the Dapper, Mustachioed Parisian Who’s Tops in Crafting Enticing Jewels
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.