Necklaces
20th Century Italian Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Necklaces
Yellow Gold
2010s French Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Necklaces
Malachite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s Italian Artisan Vintage Necklaces
Agate, 18k Gold
2010s Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Necklaces
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
1960s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Necklaces
Coral, Pearl, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Contemporary Vintage Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s European Retro Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Necklaces
Yellow Gold
20th Century Modern Necklaces
Malachite, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Contemporary Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Necklaces
18k Gold
20th Century Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Necklaces
Spinel, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Necklaces
Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Modern Necklaces
Pearl, Peridot, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Italian Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Shop Antique, New and Vintage Necklaces on 1stDibs
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.