Pearl Necklace Jeweled Clasp
Mid-20th Century Multi-Strand Necklaces
Vintage 1960s American Beaded Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, Tsavorite, 14k Gold
Vintage 1970s Unknown Artisan Choker Necklaces
Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Brass, Enamel
Vintage 1910s American Edwardian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1950s French Beaded Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s French Baroque Revival Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
Early 2000s Italian Modern Choker Necklaces
People Also Browsed
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Australian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, South Sea Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Emerald, Tanzanite, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s More Jewelry
1930s Hats
21st Century and Contemporary American Belle Époque Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Turquoise, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
Mid-20th Century French Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Edwardian Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s American More Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Romantic Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1950s American More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Diamond, 14k Gold
Recent Sales
Vintage 1980s American Beaded Necklaces
Vintage 1940s American Baroque Revival Pendant Necklaces
Brass
Vintage 1980s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1970s American Beaded Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1960s Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Link Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Beaded Bracelets
Gold Plate
Vintage 1970s Spanish Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Beaded Necklaces
Garnet, Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Hungarian Choker Necklaces
Garnet, Opal, Pearl, Turquoise, Vermeil, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1970s American Art Deco Rope Necklaces
Late 20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s French Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1980s American Byzantine Drop Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1960s American Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1960s American Choker Necklaces
Vintage 1960s American Clip-on Earrings
Late 20th Century Beaded Necklaces
Late 20th Century American Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1970s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1970s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1990s American Beaded Necklaces
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To put a clasp on a pearl necklace, enlist the help of an experienced jeweler or jewelry repair shop. The strings commonly used to produce pearl necklaces are very delicate. Attempting to add a clasp on your own could damage your necklace. Find a variety of pearl necklaces on 1stDibs.
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