Sepia Pendant
Antique 1780s English George II Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 15k Gold
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Topaz, Sterling Silver
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Steel, Cut Steel
Antique Mid-19th Century American Victorian Brooches
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 1860s British Gothic Revival Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Yellow Gold, Enamel
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Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
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Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Beaded Bracelets
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum, Enamel
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18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Antique 1780s British Georgian Brooches
Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Onyx, Pearl
Antique 1870s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 18th Century English Georgian Brooches
15k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Carnelian, Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century American Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
English Drop Necklaces
Antique Early 1800s British Georgian Brooches
Garnet, Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Early Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Onyx, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 15k Gold, Enamel
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Brooches
9k Gold, Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Antique 1890s Russian Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Niello
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Gold, 15k 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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