Necklaces
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Necklaces
9k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Necklaces
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Necklaces
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Necklaces
Pearl, 9k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Necklaces
Opal, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Necklaces
Sterling Silver
1860s American Edwardian Antique Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Necklaces
9k Gold, Brass
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Necklaces
Beryl, Morganite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s French Art Nouveau Necklaces
Aquamarine, Beryl, Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Necklaces
Pearl, Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Necklaces
Jade, Gold, 14k Gold
1910s American Edwardian Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
1910s French Edwardian Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Art Nouveau Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Art Nouveau Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Art Nouveau Necklaces
18k Gold
1990s Italian Art Nouveau Necklaces
18k Gold
1910s Edwardian Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1910s American Art Nouveau Vintage Necklaces
Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century English Art Nouveau Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 15k 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.