Necklaces
Early 2000s European Artist Necklaces
Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
1990s French Artisan Necklaces
Pearl
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
1970s French Artisan Vintage Necklaces
20th Century American Modern Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
2010s Necklaces
Pearl
20th Century American Modern Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century American Modern Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
2010s Necklaces
1990s European Artist Necklaces
Gold Plate
Early 2000s French Necklaces
2010s French Artist Necklaces
Crystal, Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl
2010s French Artisan Necklaces
1990s French Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s French Vintage Necklaces
Late 20th Century Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
2010s French Artisan Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
20th Century Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
Early 2000s Italian Artisan Necklaces
2010s French Artisan Necklaces
Aquamarine, Pearl
2010s French Modern Necklaces
Crystal, Pearl, Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Late 20th Century North American Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
1980s French Baroque Vintage Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
1980s European Vintage Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
2010s Italian Art Deco Necklaces
Crystal
20th Century Necklaces
1980s French Vintage Necklaces
Early 2000s French Artisan Necklaces
20th Century French Necklaces
20th Century French Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Necklaces
1980s European Vintage Necklaces
20th Century American Modern Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
1980s European Vintage Necklaces
1980s European Vintage Necklaces
2010s French Artist Necklaces
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Necklaces
2010s French Art Deco Necklaces
Crystal
20th Century American Modern Necklaces
Crystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k 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.