Vintage Cleopatra Necklace
Vintage 1960s Link Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Choker Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s American Egyptian Revival Choker Necklaces
2010s Italian Link Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Artist Pendant Necklaces
Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Aquamarine, Coral, Iolite, Sterling Silver
20th Century European Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold
Vintage 1960s Link Necklaces
20th Century French Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s More Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Aesthetic Movement Loose Gemstones
Peridot
Vintage 1970s American Egyptian Revival Cuff Bracelets
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Arts and Crafts Loose Gemstones
Peridot
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Arts and Crafts Loose Gemstones
Peridot
Vintage 1970s Modernist Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
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Vintage 1960s Drop Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1950s French More Necklaces
Turquoise, Diamond, Platinum
2010s Beaded Necklaces
Emerald, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Clamper Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s European Enamel Frames and Objects
Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald, Gold, Enamel
Early 2000s Swiss Wrist Watches
Diamond, Rose Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Retro Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1950s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Amber, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Anglo-Indian Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1960s Greek Art Deco Link Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Edwardian More Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
2010s French Top Handle Bags
Recent Sales
20th Century Czech More Necklaces
20th Century French More Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Art Deco More Necklaces
Crystal, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Drop Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Link Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1970s Egyptian Artisan Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Carnelian, Jade, Turquoise, Silver, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1960s Retro Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century More Necklaces
Vintage 1970s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1970s Modernist Bangles
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Swazi Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Pendant Necklaces
20th Century More Necklaces
Vintage 1980s American Link Necklaces
Vintage 1970s Italian Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Mexican Artist Pendant Necklaces
Chrysocolla, Silver
Vintage 1960s American Modernist More Necklaces
Silver Plate
Vintage 1970s American Modern Choker Necklaces
Mid-20th Century Italian Egyptian Revival Link Necklaces
18k Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1980s Unknown Contemporary More Necklaces
14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
20th Century Multi-Strand Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
Vintage Cleopatra Necklace For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Vintage Cleopatra Necklace?
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 Bvlgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.
- What makes a necklace vintage?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 21, 2023What makes a necklace vintage is its age. Any necklace made at least 20 to 80 years ago is vintage. Necklaces produced a century ago or more are antiques. A vintage-inspired or vintage-style necklace is one manufactured during the past 20 years but inspired by older jewelry. Find a wide variety of vintage necklaces on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Clasp design on vintage necklaces vary significantly, so there’s no uniform way to open and close a clasp. Research the specific type of necklace to find resources on the style of clasp. On 1stDibs, you'll find a collection of vintage necklaces from some of the world's top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To determine whether a pearl necklace is modern or vintage, first look for signs of wear, such as blunted edges on the prongs. The pearls will likely have dull spots where they came into contact with skin. The clasp can clue you in, too. Lobster clasps appeared in the 1970s, while early 20th century clasps were generally safety-pin style or C-clasps. Modern necklaces typically have a spring-loaded clasp. Shop a selection of vintage pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Vintage Chanel jewelry always has a date stamp and logo located somewhere on the piece that you can use for authentication. Everything on the date stamp should be easy to read, and the Chanel logo should look immaculate. Fake logos are often hard to read and have mistakes in the font. All the details should be exquisite, and the necklace should feel substantial. If it feels light and cheap, it’s probably a fake. Shop a collection of authentic vintage Chanel necklaces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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