Tiffany Open Circle Necklace
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1980s French Link Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Link Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1960s Hoop Earrings
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Italian Charm Bracelets
Gold Plate
2010s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Gold
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Chain Bracelets
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
2010s Charm Bracelets
18k Gold, Rose Gold, Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Fashion Rings
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Italian Cuff Bracelets
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s American Modern Link Bracelets
Sterling Silver
1990s American Retro Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Gold
1990s Spanish Link Bracelets
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s Italian Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Gold
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Drop Necklaces
Platinum
20th Century Link Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Necklace Enhancers
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century British Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
1990s American Artist Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Link Bracelets
Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
20th Century American Contemporary Charm Bracelets
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s Link Bracelets
18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1970s American Link 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.