Modern Pendant Necklaces
MODERN STYLE
Rooted in centuries of history of adornment dating back to the ancient world, modern jewelry reimagines traditional techniques, forms and materials for expressive new pieces. As opposed to contemporary jewelry, which responds to the moment in which it was created, modern jewelry often describes designs from the 20th to 21st centuries that reflect movements and trends in visual culture.
Modern jewelry emerged from the 19th-century shift away from jewelry indicating rank or social status. The Industrial Revolution allowed machine-made jewelry using electric gold plating, metal alloys and imitation stones, making beautiful jewelry widely accessible. Although mass production deemphasized the materials of the jewelry, the vision of the designer remained important, something that would be furthered in the 1960s with what’s known as the “critique of preciousness.”
A design fair called the “Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes” brought global attention to the Art Deco style in 1925 and gathered a mix of jewelry artists alongside master jewelers like Van Cleef & Arpels, Mauboussin and Boucheron. Art Deco designs from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels unconventionally mixed gemstones like placing rock crystals next to diamonds while borrowing motifs from eclectic sources including Asian lacquer and Persian carpets. Among Cartier’s foremost design preoccupations at the time were high-contrast color combinations and crisp, geometric forms and patterns. In the early 20th century, modernist jewelers like Margaret De Patta and artists such as Alexander Calder — who is better known for his kinetic sculptures than his provocative jewelry — explored sculptural metalwork in which geometric shapes and lines were preferred over elaborate ornamentation.
Many of the innovations in modern jewelry were propelled by women designers such as Wendy Ramshaw, who used paper to craft her accessories in the 1960s. During the 1970s, Elsa Peretti created day-to-night pieces for Tiffany & Co. while designers like Lea Stein experimented with layering plastic, a material that had been employed in jewelry since the mid-19th century and had expanded into Bakelite, acrylics and other unique materials.
Find a collection of modern watches, bracelets, engagement rings, necklaces, earrings and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
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Period: 1960s
Style: Modern
Vintage 22K Gold and Green Chalcedony Intaglio of Zoroaster Pendant
Located in Venice, CA
This 22k gold vintage pendant features a green chalcedony intaglio carved with the image Zoroaster. The gold has beautiful granulation in the style of...
Category
1960s Asian Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Chalcedony, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Georges L'Enfant Modernist 18 Karat Yellow Gold Tubogas Vintage Collar Necklace
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Comprised of segmented half-round tubogas style links with high polish
With linear engraved segments in between - displaying considerable flex
Completed by concealed clasp closure
Wi...
Category
1960s Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Sewing Machine Charm with Rubies & Sapphires
Located in Brooklyn, NY
One of a kind vintage charm. This charm is on the larger size, depicting in detail an entire vintage sewing machine with a bobbin of thread. The charm f...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Imperial Jadeite Jade Pendant GIA Certified Untreated
Located in Southbury, CT
This imperial jade & diamond pendant is simple and perfect.
The mid-century (circa 1960s-1970s) pendant has been rendered in 18K white gold and set with a quarter-carat of small, br...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Jade, 18k Gold
Cartier Modernist 18 Karat Yellow Gold Wave Link Vintage Necklace
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Comprised of fitted tab-like segments strung along rope chain
Displaying an undulating wave motif
With high polish finish
Stamped for 18 karat gold
Numbered and fully signed for C...
Category
1960s Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Pearl and 9 Carat Gold Necklace
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This necklace has a very delicate feel and is made up of a fine 9carat gold chain and holds trios and single pearls. There is no clasp but this is long enough to fit over the head.
...
Category
1960s British Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Pearl, 9k Gold, Gold
Juliana Cross Statement Necklace or Brooch By DeLizza & Elster, 1960s
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- Collectible costume jewelry piece from the mid-century
- Gold plated hardware
- 4" x 3.25" pendant
- 36" removable chain
- Jet black glass rhinestones
- Can be...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Marina Apollonio 1966 Paris Enamelled Op-Art Brooch Pendant In Sterling Silver
Located in Miami, FL
Op-Art brooch pendant designed by Marina Apollonio (1940-).
An extremely rare piece of op-art, created in Paris France by the artist Marina Apollonio, back...
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 14k Gold Enameled Poodle Dog Charm
Located in Venice, CA
Made in 14k gold with enamel details, the poodle in this charm has a fluffy outline of black hair, and the red highlight for its panting tongue gives the dog a cute facial expression...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
14k Gold, Enamel
Vintage 14k Gold Enameled Springer Spaniel Dog Charm
Located in Venice, CA
Made in 14k gold with enamel details, the dog in this charm is a Springer Spaniel, shown in profile in a proud pose, like a show dog. The outline of the dog is highlighted in gold, a...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
14k Gold, Enamel
Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe for Georg Jensen, Modernist Pendant in Sterling Silver
Located in bronshoj, DK
Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe for Georg Jensen. Modernist pendant in sterling silver. Design 1997.
1960s / 70s.
Measures: 24 x 23 mm.
In excellent condition.
Stamped.
Our skilled Georg J...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Sterling Silver
Vintage 14k Gold Enameled Boxer Dog Charm
Located in Venice, CA
Made in 14k gold with enamel details, the dog in this charm is a boxer with a tan body and white chest and paws. In the 1950’s, the boxer was the most popular dog in America, and thi...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Mid Century Floral Watch Pendant Necklace By Caravelle, 1960s
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- 30" twisted rope chain by Monet (signed on hang tag and clasp)
- 1.5" diameter mechanical watch pendant by Caravelle (signed on watch face)
- Gold plated
- Clasp closure
- Circa 1960s
- Estate acquired
- Excellent vintage condition, chain is not original to piece
PLEASE NOTE: This watch is currently ticking and keeping time, but due to the vintage nature of this item we cannot guarantee the watch will continue to work as sometimes even shipping a watch can cause the movement to stop working. Watch movements can be serviced by a watch repair...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Vintage Bronze necklace Karku by Kalevala Koru Finland 1960s
Located in Stokholm, SE
Beautiful vintage Viking inspired bronze necklace called Runaway Necklace - by designer Kalevala Koru for Karkun Palviala, Finland 1960s. Natural patina ...
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Bronze
Oversized Satin Gilt Mod Flower Pendant Necklace By Crown Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- Collectible costume jewelry piece from the mid-century
- 25" gold plated chain
- 4" x 3.25" pendant
- Satin gold plated
- Layered ribbon style floral motif
- ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Gilded Modernist Pendant Necklace With Lucite Dangle By Crown Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- Collectible costume jewelry piece from the '60s
- 28" chain with clasp closure
- 2.75" x 1.75" pendant
- Gold plated hardware
- Brown lucite dangling charm
- I...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
24" Gold Chain "Damita" Necklace With Tassel Pendant By Monet, 1960s
By Monet
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- 24" heavy chain with clasp closure
- 4" pendant drop
- Gold plated
- Fold over clasp closure
- By Monet (signed on clasp)
- Circa 1960s
- Estate acquired
- E...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
'60s Heavy Chain Link Necklace With Elephant Pendant By Roger Scemama for YSL
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- Collectible jewelry piece from the '60s
- Extremely rare, hard to find piece
- 36" twisted gold plated rope link chain
- Each link of gold chain measures .75" x ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
18ct 750 Gold Cross & 18ct Gold Chain
Located in London, GB
18ct 750 Gold Cross Pendant & 18ct 750 Gold 15" Chain
Pendant is Stamped 18k on the round bail
Chain is fully Hallmarked - Cypriot Hallmarks
P...
Category
1960s Cypriot Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Gold
Bertel Gardberg Very Rare 18 Karat Gold Necklace Made in Ireland
Located in Orimattila, FI
Rare Bertel Gardberg (Finland) 18k Yellow Gold Modernist Collar Necklace
with Sheen Obsidian & Interchangeable Smoky Quartz Inserts
Collar Necklace with Sheen Obsidian & Interchangeable Smoky Quartz Inserts measures 17" in circumference with a 2" gap and 1/4" at its widest. The interchangeable stones...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Gold
Sterling Silver necklace Sunburst By Tone Vigeland for Plus, Norway 1960s
Located in Stokholm, SE
Vintage sterling silver pendant designed by Norwegian designer Tone Vigeland for Plus Studios, Norway 1960s.
The necklace has a shape as a sun and can easily be connected to the silver collier/neckring.
The pendant is stamped Sterling 925S and the symbol for Plus Studios, Norway.
Measures of pendant: 6.5 cmD x 9 cmH. Diameter of silver neckring: 13 cm.
Mid-century designer Tone Vigeland (1938) is a Norwegian silversmith and vintage jewelery...
Category
1960s Norwegian Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Gold Chain Mesh Pouch Necklace by Whiting & Davis, 1960s
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- 34" length
- Pouch measures 3.5" x 2"
- Gold tone and gold plated
- Kiss lock clasp
- By Whiting & Davis
- Circa 1960s
- Estate acquired
- Good vintage cond...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Gold Chain Shaggy Dog Pendant Necklace By Dominique, 1960s
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- Collectible costume jewelry piece from the mid-century
- 28" twisted chain
- 3" x 2" pendant
- Gold plated
- Brown topaz, clear and black crystal rhinestone det...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Ornate Rivoli Crystal Medallion Necklace, 1960s
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- 26" chain
- Medallion measures 2.5" in diameter
- Gold tone
- Prong set "Rivoli" multicolored crystal
- Circa 1960s
- Estate acquired
- Excellent vintage con...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Vintage Gilded Roman Goddess Cameo Pendant Necklace by Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- Chain measures 21" long
- Pendant measures 3" x 2"
- Gold plated
- Clasp closure
- By Crown Trifari (signed on pendant verso)
- Circa 1960s
- Estate acquired...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Juliana Topaz Rhinestone Triangle Motif Necklace By DeLizza & Elster, 1960s
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- 15" length
- 2" pendant drop
- Gold plated
- Yellow & Smoked Brown Topaz-colored crystal rhinestones
- Hook clasp closure
- By DeLizza & Elster (D&E)
- Circa 1960s
- Estate acquired
- Excellent vintage condition with one missing yellow Topaz stone...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Sweet Sixteen Pendant Necklace, Yellow Gold, Peridot and Pearl Large Charm
Located in Austin, TX
Sweet 16 August Birthday Charm! A 16th birthday is a milestone and a very important birthday so help your daughter or granddaughter remember it! What better way to mark this birthday than by having a fine jewelry piece to wear? This Sweet Sixteen charm...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Pearl, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Gilt & Black Resin Mod Teardrop Pendant Necklace By Crown Trifari, 1960s
By Trifari
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- 27" length gilded snake chain
- 2.5" x 1.6" pendant
- Black resin
- Gold plated
- Clasp closure
- By Crown Trifari (signed on verso & hangtag)
- Circa 1960s
...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Vintage Whiting & Davis Hematite Clamper Cuffs, Necklace & Earrings Set, Signed
Located in McKinney, TX
- Parure includes two hinged clamper cuff bracelets, pendant necklace and clip on earrings
- Silver tone
- Faux hematite
- Clamper bracelets measures 2.5" across, 2.75" tall and open...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Juliana Cascading Aurora Borealis Crystal Necklace By DeLizza & Elster, 1960s
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- 26" length
- 3" pendant drop
- Gold tone mesh chain
- Faceted Aurora Borealis crystals
- Clasp closure
- Attributed To DeLizza...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Orange Navette Crystal Juliana Cluster Necklace by DeLizza & Elster (D&E), 1960s
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- 24" length
- Pendant measures 2.25" tall
- Gold tone
- Orange crystal rhinestones
- Aurora Borealis crystal accents
- Hook clasp closure (adjustable)
- By DeLizza & Elster (D&E)
- Circa late 1960s
- Made in the USA
- Estate acquired
- Excellent vintage condition, one missing orange rhinestone...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Vintage Gilt & White Enamel Modernist Collar Necklace by Eisenberg, 1960s
By Eisenberg
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item
- Very rare piece
- Collar fits up to a 20" neck, measures 4.75" across at widest point
- Pendant measures 2.5" tall
- Gold plated
- White enamel
- By Eisenberg ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Mod Lucite and Chrome Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Unusual Mod Lucite and Chrome Pendant from the 1960's. A series of super long chains suspend a chrome ball with and floating lucite sphere wi...
Category
1960s American Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Rhodium, Silver Plate
Brutalist Bronze pendant Kelo with amethyst by Pentti Sarpaneva Finland 1960s
Located in Stokholm, SE
A lovely brutalist vintage bronze necklace with a raw unpolished amethyst stone and original bronze chain by Pentti Sarpaneeva for Torun Hopea,...
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Amethyst, Bronze
Bronze pendant with amethyst stone by Pentti Sarpaneva Finland 1960s
Located in Stokholm, SE
A lovely vintage bronze necklace with a polished amethyst stone and original bronze chain by Pentti Sarpaneeva for Torun Hopea, Finland 1960s. Natural pati...
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Amethyst, Bronze
Bronze circle shape necklace by Pentti Sarpaneva Finland 1960s
Located in Stokholm, SE
Beautiful vintage bronze necklace with original bronze chain by designer Pentti Sarpaneva for Torun Hopea, Finland 1960s. Natural patina with n...
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Bronze
Rectangular Bronze necklace by Pentti Sarpaneva Finland 1960s
Located in Stokholm, SE
Beautiful vintage Viking inspired bronze necklace - by designer Pentti Sarpaneva for Turun Hopea, Finland 1960s. Natural bronze patina with lovely decor. Stamped with Made in Finlan...
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
Materials
Bronze
Pentti Sarpaneva, Lapponia, Finland, Vintage Modernist Large Necklace in Bronze
Located in bronshoj, DK
Pentti Sarpaneva, Finland. Vintage modernist large necklace in bronze, hand made.
1960s.
Total lenghts 62 cm. Pendant 5 cm. x 7 cm.
Category
1960s Finnish Vintage Modern Pendant Necklaces
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