Necklaces are a jewelry-box essential, and vintage fashion multistrand necklaces — in any variation — offer a touch of sophistication for your look, from everyday wear to the red carpet.
One of the oldest known forms of jewelry is the necklace; evidence includes shell beads dating back at least 142,000 years. Multistrand necklaces appeared early in this history, with archaeologists identifying examples from ancient Mesopotamia. The hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, while Ciner helped popularize the torsade necklace in the 1980s with strands of glass beads often held by animal-head clasps.
Vintage multistrand necklaces add glamour to any outfit and are easy to accessorize with. One style is the torsade necklace, with “torsade” coming from the French word for twist or cable. These necklaces are made by twisting several strands of beads, pearls or other material together and securing them with a clasp.
Costume jewelry, which is also called fashion jewelry, is designed to accessorize with current fashions and is typically made with inexpensive materials. Whether you’re seeking a provocative fashion multistrand necklace or a similar piece from the fine jewelry collection on 1stDibs that exudes elegance and grace, the offerings here present something for everyone.
The bayadère necklace, also known as the rope necklace, is similar but has only a few strands of pearls or beads that are twisted or braided together. It was particularly popular at the turn of the 20th century, including as a gift for bridesmaids. Sometimes the beads or pearls match; other times, they are multicolored, with accents such as a single tassel or pendant. Another version is the choker-style dog-collar necklace, a multistrand necklace usually between 16 to 18 inches long.
Explore 1stDibs for vintage fashion multistrand necklaces in a range of lengths, styles and materials.