Necklaces
2010s American Artisan Necklaces
Tiger's Eye, Brass
20th Century French Artisan Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Brass
2010s American Artisan Necklaces
Amethyst, Silver Plate, Mixed Metal
2010s American Artisan Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Portuguese Artisan Necklaces
Yellow Gold
2010s German Artisan Necklaces
Opal, Silver
2010s American Artisan Necklaces
Amethyst, Other, 10k Gold, Mixed Metal
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Brass
19th Century Chinese Artisan Antique Necklaces
Jade
20th Century Chinese Artisan Necklaces
Jade
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Brass
2010s American Artisan Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Gold Plate, Vermeil, Brass, Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Brass
2010s American Artisan Necklaces
Coral, Gold Plate
2010s German Artisan Necklaces
Opal, Silver
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Brass
20th Century French Artisan Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Brass
2010s American Artisan Necklaces
Coral, Gold Plate
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Brass
2010s American Artisan Necklaces
Coral, Gold Plate
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Brass
2010s American Artisan Necklaces
Rhodocrosite, Mixed Metal
2010s Japanese Artisan Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary European Artisan Necklaces
Emerald, Quartz, Ruby, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Artisan Necklaces
Iolite, Gold Plate, Mixed Metal
20th Century Italian Artisan Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Artisan Necklaces
Opal, Mixed Metal
1950s French Artisan Vintage Necklaces
Brass, Gilt Metal, Bronze, Gold Plate
2010s American Artisan Necklaces
Coral, Gold Plate
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Unknown Artisan Necklaces
Emerald, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Black Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Brass
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Necklaces
Quartz, Other, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Necklaces
Rhodium, Silver
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Brass
2010s American Artisan Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Mixed Metal, Other
Mid-20th Century Portuguese Artisan Necklaces
Zircon, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chinese Artisan Necklaces
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Necklaces
Base Metal
Early 2000s Italian Artisan Necklaces
1970s American Artisan Vintage Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Artisan Necklaces
Carnelian, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Artisan Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Agate, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary British Artisan Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Artisan Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Brass
2010s American Artisan Necklaces
Amethyst, Turquoise, Silver Plate, Mixed Metal
20th Century Chinese Artisan Necklaces
Jade
20th Century Unknown Artisan Necklaces
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Artisan Necklaces
Brass
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.