Necklaces
1980s Italian Contemporary Vintage Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Necklaces
18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
2010s French Necklaces
Enamel, Mixed Metal
2010s French Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Necklaces
Silver
2010s French Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
18k Gold
1980s Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Art Deco Vintage Necklaces
24k Gold
20th Century Necklaces
1990s French Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1990s Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Yellow Gold
2010s French Necklaces
Gold
20th Century French Necklaces
1970s French Vintage Necklaces
Gold
1980s French Vintage Necklaces
1960s French Vintage Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Necklaces
Gold Plate
1990s French Necklaces
20th Century Italian Necklaces
Gold, Steel
1980s French Modern Vintage Necklaces
Pearl
20th Century French Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary French Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary French Necklaces
1990s French Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary French Necklaces
20th Century French Necklaces
1990s French Necklaces
20th Century French Necklaces
1980s Classical Roman Vintage Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Necklaces
Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s French Vintage Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary French Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1990s French Necklaces
1990s Italian Necklaces
Crystal, Onyx, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Necklaces
Diamond, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Necklaces
Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
1990s Necklaces
Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
1980s French Artisan Vintage Necklaces
20th Century Italian Necklaces
Gold, Steel
Late 20th Century Necklaces
Gold
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century European Modern Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1990s French Artisan Necklaces
Brass, Bronze
1990s Italian Modernist Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modernist Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Steel
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.