Retro Opal Bead Necklace
1970s American Art Deco Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Crystal, Opal, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Unknown Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Crystal, Opal, 18k Gold
1960s Unknown Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Rhodium
1950s French Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Gilt Metal
1990s Thai Art Deco Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Amethyst, Onyx, Opal, Pearl, Quartz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Unknown Modern Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Mexican Retro Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Onyx, Opal, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Danish Artisan Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Sterling Silver
1990s Modern Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold...
1970s American Art Deco Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Art Deco Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Black Opal, Platinum
1960s American Retro Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century American Artisan Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s American Native American Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Opal, Turquoise, Rhodocrosite, 14k Gold, Yell...
1970s American Native American Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Sterling Silver
People Also Browsed
1890s European Victorian Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Diamond, Enamel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s German Contemporary Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Artisan Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Amber, Carnelian, Silver
Early 2000s Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, Emerald, Onyx
1930s Australian Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Diamond, Gold, Silver
2010s Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, Silver
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Ruby, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, Platinum
1960s American Modernist Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Amber
1990s German Art Nouveau Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
Early 2000s German Art Nouveau Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
1960s American Modern Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Recent Sales
1980s Italian Artisan Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Classical Greek Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Emerald, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s Retro Opal Bead Necklace
1970s Modern Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Onyx, Opal, Mandarin Garnet, Black Opal, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
1980s American Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1980s Retro Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s Contemporary Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Retro Opal Bead Necklace
14k Gold, 18k Gold
1960s American Modernist Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Jade, Opal, Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s French Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
1980s Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Australian Artisan Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Gothic Revival Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Gilt Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, Rock Crystal, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, Quartz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Pearl, Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Chinese Modern Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, Pearl
1960s American Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, 14k Gold
1960s American Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s American Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
1950s French Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Beads
1970s Italian Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Opal, 18k Gold
1970s American Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Gilt Metal
1960s American Retro Opal Bead Necklace
Retro Opal Bead Necklace For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Retro Opal Bead 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.
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This Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Is an Heirloom in the Making
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