Vintage Mary Necklace
Vintage 1980s American Modern Rope Necklaces
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Italian Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1960s Belgian Retro Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century European Modern Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century European Modern Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Enamel, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1970s Egyptian Artist Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass
Early 20th Century French Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Collars
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pendant Necklaces
24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Mid-20th Century European Classical Roman Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century British Pendant Necklaces
9k Gold
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Moonstone, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Rose Gold, White Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Portuguese Artisan Drop Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Early 20th Century Expressionist Portrait Drawings and Watercolors
Paper, Pastel
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1930s American Artist Link Necklaces
Turquoise, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Artisan Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1860s English Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, 15k Gold
Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches
Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Artist Clip-on Earrings
Brass, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary French Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1870s English Victorian Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
2010s American Artist Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s American Artist Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s American Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s American Artist Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Victorian Chain Necklaces
Brass, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, Gold-filled, Silver Plate, Bronze
Vintage 1950s French Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
20th Century Italian Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1960s French Retro Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century French Modern Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Sapphire, Gold-filled, Silver Plate, Bronze
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Drop Earrings
Mid-20th Century Native American Collectible Jewelry
Beads
Antique 19th Century Unknown More Jewelry
Sterling Silver
20th Century Pop Art More Art
Metal, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Boxes and Cases
Vermeil, Silver
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Link Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Opal, Garnet, Pearl, Multi-gemstone, White Diamo...
Vintage 1980s French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1970s Mexican Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Bronze
Mid-20th Century French Modern Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pop Art More Art
Metal, Enamel
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Gold
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s American Artist Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s American Artist Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 1850s American Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Vintage Mary Necklace For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Vintage Mary 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 Bulgari, 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, 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, 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, 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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