Tiffany Graduated Bead Necklace
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Beaded Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Band Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Link Bracelets
Silver
2010s Beaded Necklaces
Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Pendant Necklaces
Silver, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Emerald, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Gold
2010s Band Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Recent Sales
20th Century Beaded Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s American Beaded Necklaces
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Freshwater Pearl, Tanzanite, Vermeil
Vintage 1980s American More Necklaces
14k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Post-War Beaded Necklaces
Rhodium, Base Metal, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1970s North American Modernist Drop Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern More Necklaces
Labradorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Chrysoberyl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces
Sterling Silver
20th Century Beaded Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces
Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1990s American Beaded Necklaces
Peridot, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold
2010s American Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Rock Crystal, Platinum
20th Century American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Onyx, 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.