Vintage Rare Necklaces
20th Century French Beaded Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1970s British Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Gold
2010s Link Necklaces
Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Latvian Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Amber
Early 2000s French Artisan Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1980s American Art Deco Drop Necklaces
1990s Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century French Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Gold
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, White Diamond, Coral, Enamel, 18k Gold, Gold
1990s European Artist Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century German Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Silver Plate
20th Century French Choker Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1990s Drop Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Jasper, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s German Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
1990s Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1980s French Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Early 2000s Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1980s Drop Necklaces
20th Century American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Silver Plate
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Artisan Chain Necklaces
1990s French More Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Beaded Necklaces
1990s French Choker Necklaces
Late 20th Century French Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century American Artist Rope Necklaces
22k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Link Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Beaded Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold
Vintage 1980s Drop Necklaces
Mid-20th Century Central American Modernist Chain Necklaces
Mid-20th Century Unknown More Necklaces
20th Century Indian Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Turquoise, Silver
Vintage 1970s French Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
Vintage 1950s French Post-War Pendant Necklaces
Antique 1860s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1970s Unknown Drop Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1940s Beaded Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
1990s Italian Choker Necklaces
1990s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Early 20th Century Austrian Arts and Crafts Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1980s French Multi-Strand Necklaces
Vintage 1960s Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1980s German Pendant Necklaces
Mixed Metal
Vintage 1980s French Beaded Necklaces
Vintage 1980s Pendant Necklaces
20th Century More Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Choker Necklaces
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Vintage Rare Necklaces For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Vintage Rare 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.
- 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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