Necklaces
20th Century American Retro Necklaces
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Retro Vintage Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Retro Vintage Necklaces
10k Gold
1960s Spanish Retro Vintage Necklaces
Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Retro Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
1940s Retro Vintage Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
1950s American Retro Vintage Necklaces
Amethyst, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s American Retro Vintage Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1960s Turkish Retro Vintage Necklaces
Diamond
17th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Necklaces
Multi-gemstone, Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
1990s Unknown Retro Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Retro Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Turkish Retro Vintage Necklaces
18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Necklaces
Coral
Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s European Retro Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
20th Century Polish Retro Necklaces
Amber, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Retro Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Dutch Retro Necklaces
Yellow Gold
1990s European Retro Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century North American Retro Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Retro Vintage Necklaces
Malachite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Retro Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Retro Vintage Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Retro Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century North American Retro Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s European Retro Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s Turkish Retro Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Turkish Retro Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Silver
1970s French Retro Vintage Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1970s European Retro Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Retro Vintage Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold
1970s European Retro Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1990s European Retro Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s American Retro Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Necklaces
Gold
1990s European Retro Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1970s Australian Retro Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Topaz, Turquoise, Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Early 2000s Australian Retro Necklaces
Diamond, Tanzanite, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, Topaz, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1960s French Retro Vintage Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Mid-20th Century British Retro Necklaces
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Necklaces
Agate, Carnelian, Onyx, Tourmaline, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1980s European Retro Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century French Retro Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1950s Dutch Retro Vintage Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White 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 Bvlgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.