Silver Butterfly Whistle Necklace
20th Century Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Silver
People Also Browsed
Late 20th Century Italian Scarves
1990s Stud Earrings
Mid-20th Century American Choker Necklaces
Early 2000s French Structured Shoulder Bags
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Early 2000s Pendant Necklaces
Early 2000s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary Scarves
Vintage 1930s French Beaded Necklaces
Silver Plate, Gilt Metal
1990s French Scarves
20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
Gilt Metal
Early 2000s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
2010s French Modern Link Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Belts
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Link Necklaces
Gilt Metal
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.
- Is Reed and Barton sterling silver?2 Answers1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021Yes, Reed & Barton pieces are made of sterling silver. The American brand was founded in 1824 and is highly regarded as one of the highest quality silver manufacturers in the world. The brand also makes more affordable silver-plated items too.1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021Yes, Reed and Barton sells sterling silver. Reed and Barton is a prominent American silver manufacturer located in Massachusetts that is known for its sterling silver and silverplate. To determine if a Reed and Barton piece is sterling silver, look for the word “sterling” or the number “.925”. Shop Reed and Barton on 1stDibs.