Necklaces
20th Century Modern Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Retro Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Necklaces
Sterling Silver
20th Century French Modern Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Modern Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Retro Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Topaz, 14k Gold, White Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
2010s American Modern Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, 9k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Modern Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Necklaces
Pearl, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Necklaces
1950s Retro Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Topaz, Coral, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
20th Century English Modern Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1990s American Modern Necklaces
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Necklaces
9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Necklaces
Jasper
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Necklaces
Chrysophrase, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold
1980s Austrian Modern Vintage Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Modern Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Modern Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Retro Necklaces
Diamond, Moonstone, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Necklaces
2010s Dutch Modern Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Modern Necklaces
Coral, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Modern Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Modern Necklaces
Coral, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Modern Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
2010s Dutch Modern Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Necklaces
Gold Plate
1980s Unknown Modern Vintage Necklaces
Quartz
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Necklaces
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Necklaces
Garnet, Peridot, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Tsavorite, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Necklaces
Citrine, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Necklaces
Gold, 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.