Precolumbian Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Beaded Necklaces
Black Diamond, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Peruvian Multi-Strand Necklaces
Malachite, Gold, 24k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Panamanian Pendant Necklaces
Tourmaline, Gold
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1990s German Modern More Necklaces
Diamond, Black Pearl, 18k Gold
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Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Unknown Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Pink Diamond, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Silver
2010s Hong Kong Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Topaz, Hessonite, Green Beryl, Black Star, Chrome Tourmaline, Cat’s Eye,...
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 1880s British Greek Revival Drop Necklaces
Agate, Chalcedony, Yellow Gold
Antique 16th Century German Renaissance Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, 22k Gold, Enamel, Yellow Gold
Antique 1860s Italian Etruscan Revival Dangle Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1840s Italian Classical Roman More Jewelry
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow 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.
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