Victorian Cassis Shell Cameo Brooch Pendant Necklace HEB Chain c. 1880s
Located in Honolulu, HI
An exceptional Victorian era (circa 1880s) book chain necklace crafted with intricately linked rectangular motifs resembling the bound spine of a book. This piece features a versati...
Gold Plate
Carved Shell Cameo Pendant Necklace With Black Spinel & Pave Diamonds
By Artisan NYC
Located in New York, NY
18Kt:0.73g, Diamond:6.6Ct, Silver:25.93g, Cameo:201.95Ct, Black Spinel:127.08Ct, Size: 598mmXXMM"
Diamond, Spinel, Black Spinel, 18k Gold, Silver
Sterling Silver Zuni Shell Coral Cardinal Pendant with Necklace Native American
Located in Wallkill, NY
Stunning Pendant depicting a Cardinal Large in scale made up of Shell with inlaid Coral and Abalone.
Coral, Sterling Silver
Miriam Haskell Turbo Shell Pendant.
By Miriam Haskell
Located in New York, NY
Miriam Haskell's mottled black Turbo shell Pendant with pave rondels and bakelite jet bead spacers on silver fox chain. 1960s USA. 22" necklace with 3" pendant.
$750 / item
Tiny Gold Snail Shell Pendant
By The Remarkable Goldsmiths
Located in Dartmouth, England
Style this with our other shell necklaces or even our amazing crab claw pendant.
Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Shell Shaped Carved Pendant in 14k Yellow Gold Bordered with Pave Diamonds
By Artisan NYC
Located in New York, NY
Introducing our exquisite Shell Shaped Carved Pendant, expertly crafted from 14k yellow gold and bordered with pave diamonds. This stunning pendant is inspired by the natural curves ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
12.60 ct Shell Cameo pendant Necklace With Diamonds Made In 18k Rose Gold
By Artisan NYC
Located in New York, NY
18k:8.13g,D:0.53Ct Shell Cameo:12.60Ct
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Naples Floral Shell Cameo Pendant/Brooch - 18K Gold Frame - Italy - Circa 1950's
Located in Chatham, CA
Vintage Naples floral shell cameo pendant or brooch - 18K/750 yellow gold frame, pin and bale - retractable bale to wear as a brooch - fine quality workmanship and detail - Italian h...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yves Saint Laurent Iconic Coral Shell Pendant, Maison Goossens
By Maison Goossens for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in New York, NY
Incredibly rare Yves Saint Laurent's Iconic and Early Coral Shell Pendant, Maison Goossens. Large central shell of gilt bronze with cold enamel coral branches accented with crystal p...
Bronze
$799Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Victorian Shell Cameo Brooch/Pendant with Diamond, 14K Gold
Located in Laguna Hills, CA
Capture the elegance of the Victorian and Art Deco eras with this exquisite Antique Shell Cameo Habillé Brooch/Pendant. Hand-carved from genuine natural shell, likely carnelian, this...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique Shell Cameo 14K White Gold Brooch Pendant w/ Diamond
Located in Wallkill, NY
Portrait Cameo set in 14K White gold with a diamond necklace, simply stunning! It has a stunning openwork white gold frame. Both a brooch and pendant. Measuring 2.38 inches top to b...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Cupid Cherub Eros Angel Love Cameo Pendant Necklace 18 Karat Gold Enhancer
Located in New York, NY
This is an absolutely stunning Shell Cameo Pendant Enhancer Necklace with a high relief carving of a Cherub, Cupid, Angel, or Eros playing a flute or horn set in a beautiful halo in ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
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.
If jewelry could talk, we know this piece would have good stories.
Emblems of heartfelt emotion, elegant vessels for photos and keepsakes and perfect for layering, these special ornaments are an essential component of any thoughtfully curated jewelry collection.
With more than 100 carats of diamonds, this vintage stunner converts into different styles, making it as versatile as it is breathtaking.
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
Organic shapes, surprising textures, shimmering colors and inventive embellishments take the new generation of pearl jewelry from classic to cutting-edge.
Soak up the pleasures of the season with a these bold gems.
Learn more about the stylish links that have passed the test of time.
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.