Vintage Nina Ricci Gold Necklace
Vintage 1980s Unknown Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century French Link Necklaces
Gilt Metal
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1980s Brooches
Gold
Vintage 1980s French Modern Dangle Earrings
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1970s Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s American Artisan Brooches
Gold Plate, Base Metal, Brass, Gilt Metal, Steel
20th Century French Link Necklaces
Vintage 1980s British Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s American Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Artist Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze, Gilt Metal
1990s French Baroque Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s British Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1950s French Beaded Necklaces
Mixed Metal
1950s Mexican Skirts
Vintage 1980s French Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
Vintage 1970s Unknown Retro Engagement Rings
Diamond, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Charm Bracelets
21st Century and Contemporary French Choker Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary French Dome Rings
Vintage 1920s French Drop Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Recent Sales
20th Century French Multi-Strand Necklaces
1990s Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
1990s Beaded Necklaces
Crystal
1990s Romantic Drop Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Link Bracelets
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1980s French Artist More Necklaces
Mixed Metal
20th Century French Multi-Strand Necklaces
Vintage 1960s American Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1960s Chain 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.