Tiffany Silver Rope Necklace
20th Century Unknown Artisan Rope Necklaces
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
20th Century American Modern Rope Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Modern Link Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
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2010s Italian Contemporary Link Bracelets
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
1990s Unknown Link Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s English Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary More Rings
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Chain Necklaces
Coral, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Bangles
Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s British Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Classical Roman Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Tote Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary Rope Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Rope Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s Italian Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Modern Choker Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
20th Century Rope Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s Rope Necklaces
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Rope Necklaces
Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s American Modern Rope Necklaces
Silver
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Link Necklaces
Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s Unknown Retro Chain Necklaces
Silver, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Necklace Enhancers
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s French Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Spanish Rope Necklaces
20th Century Rope Necklaces
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.