Trombone Albert Chain
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century European Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold
20th Century British Victorian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold-filled
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Late 20th Century Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Pendant Necklaces
Carnelian, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Fashion Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold
20th Century English Chain Necklaces
9k Gold
Antique 1880s American High Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Jade, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century English Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Link Necklaces
Gold, Platinum
Antique 1890s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold
Vintage 1920s Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s British Victorian More Bracelets
Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
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Early 20th Century British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 1870s British Late Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 1890s English Victorian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Late Victorian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Gold
Vintage 1920s British Modern More Jewelry
18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian More Jewelry
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1910s British George V More Jewelry
Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Link Necklaces
Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 1890s British Victorian More Jewelry
Yellow Gold, Gold, 9k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Link Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Link Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Link Necklaces
Rose Gold, Gold, 9k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Link Necklaces
18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Link Necklaces
Gold, 15k Gold
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Drop Earrings
White Diamond, Coral, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Brooches
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Swiss Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, Gold, 9k Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Rose Gold, Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian More Jewelry
Sterling Silver
Antique 1880s British Victorian More Jewelry
Silver
1990s Swiss Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Black Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Victorian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold
Antique 19th Century English Late Victorian Chain Necklaces
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Chain Necklaces
Antique 1890s British Victorian Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Choker Necklaces
9k 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.
- What is an Albert chain?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021An Albert chain is a watch chain that traditionally has a bar on one end that is used to attach the chain to a vest buttonhole. The chain's other end has a small swivel clasp that can be attached to a pocket watch. It's named after a type of watch chain worn by Prince Albert during the Victorian era. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage Albert watch chains.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022An Albert chain is referred to as such because it is the style of watch chain that Prince Albert preferred to wear. The chain features a horizontal bar at the end that slips through a buttonhole in a vest to keep it secure. Browse 1stDibs to find a collection of Albert chains from some of the world’s top boutiques.
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