Ribbon Diamond Necklace Van Cleef
Vintage 1970s American Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx
1990s French More Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Early 2000s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Dangle Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Diamond...
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern More Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond
2010s Wrist Watches
White Gold
1990s American Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 2000s Swiss Wrist Watches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Wrist Watches
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century French Artisan Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1960s American Band Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Yellow Diamond, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Drop Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s French Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1970s French Pendant Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s American Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k 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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