Tiffany Rolo Chain
21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary Chain Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
Yellow Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
1990s American Link Bracelets
Sterling Silver
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Chain Bracelets
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Choker Necklaces
Ruby, Yellow Gold
20th Century Beaded Bracelets
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Modernist Vanity Items
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Recent Sales
Swiss Chain Necklaces
Late 20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Link Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Modern Pendant Necklaces
Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Link Bracelets
18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Necklace Enhancers
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Modern Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s European Link Necklaces
Gold
20th Century Chain Bracelets
Sterling Silver
1990s Spanish Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Necklace Enhancers
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Sterling Silver
2010s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Finding the Right necklaces for You
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.