Open Oval Bar Necklace
1990s Unknown Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique 1880s Victorian Link Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Link Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold
Vintage 1920s Swiss Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum, Enamel
Early 2000s French Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Antique 1890s Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Modern Band Rings
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1910s Unknown Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Belle Époque More Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Brooches
Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Belle Époque Bridal Rings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Link Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Tourmaline, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Link Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Bangles
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
20th Century French Modern Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Spanish Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
Antique Early 1900s More Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1910s More Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1970s American Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Hematite, Ruby, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterlin...
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire,...
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Unknown Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum, White Gold
Antique 1850s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, 15k Gold, Silver
Antique 1880s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, Silver, Gold
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Barware
Crystal, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold, Whi...
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Drop Necklaces
Aquamarine, 15k Gold, 9k Gold
Antique 1880s English Napoleon III Tray Tables
Paper
1990s Modern Link Necklaces
18k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Baroque Link Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Link Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s British Brooches
Quartz, 9k Gold
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.
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This Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Is an Heirloom in the Making
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[Survey] Two-Thirds of Jewelry Gift Recipients Don’t Want to Be Surprised
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Next-Level Pearls That Go Well Beyond the Expected
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7 Vibrant Jewels for a Breezy Late-Summer Wardrobe
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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.