Victorian Coral Locket
Antique 1880s Victorian Necklace Enhancers
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique 1850s English High Victorian Bangles
Coral, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Emerald, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1860s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Coral, Onyx, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Garnet, Onyx, Yellow Gold
Antique 1860s British Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Coral, Onyx, 18k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Gold, Enamel
Antique 19th Century French High Victorian Brooches
Coral, Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
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18k Gold, Enamel
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15k Gold, Enamel
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Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique 1810s French Empire More Jewelry
Onyx, Gilt Metal
Antique Early 1900s Pendant Necklaces
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 1880s French Egyptian Revival Choker Necklaces
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
20th Century American Modern Link Necklaces
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Wrist Watches
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century Austrian Renaissance Revival Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Amethyst, Garnet, Turquoise, Silver, Gilt Metal
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
Antique 1880s British Victorian Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Antique 1840s Victorian Bangles
Diamond, Enamel
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Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 18th Century Unknown Late Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Coral, 15k Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian More Jewelry
Coral, 18k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Hematite, Natural Pearl, Rose Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, 15k Gold
Antique 1860s British Victorian Brooches
Coral, Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1870s British Victorian Drop Earrings
Coral, Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Drop Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 15k Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Necklace Enhancers
Agate, Quartz, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown High Victorian Chain Bracelets
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Necklace Enhancers
Coral, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold
Antique 1860s British High Victorian Drop Necklaces
Coral, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, 14k Gold
Antique 1870s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Unknown Drop Earrings
Antique 19th Century English Etruscan Revival Pendant Necklaces
Coral, 15k Gold
English Dangle Earrings
Coral, Diamond, Natural Pearl
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Yellow Gold
English Brooches
Antique 1880s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Pearl, 15k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Cluster Rings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow 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.