Ancient Necklaces
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Unknown Beaded Necklaces
Garnet, 18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Carnelian, Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Chain Necklaces
Agate, Gold
Vintage 1980s Greek Modern Beaded Necklaces
18k Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Chain Necklaces
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Italian Beaded Necklaces
Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Asian Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Carnelian
2010s European Artist Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Gold
2010s European Artist Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold
2010s European Artist Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Gold
2010s European Artist Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Gold
2010s European Artist Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold
2010s European Artist Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Gold
Vintage 1980s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold
Vintage 1980s American Drop Necklaces
Gilt Metal
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Classical Roman Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Artist Pendant Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Gold
2010s European Artist Pendant Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Gold
Vintage 1970s Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Gold, 22k Gold
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Other, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Drop Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s European Artist Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary More Necklaces
White Gold
Vintage 1960s More Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Beaded Necklaces
Turquoise, Agate, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Bronze
2010s European Artist Pendant Necklaces
Pink Sapphire, Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Greek Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier American Contemporary Link Necklaces
Gold, 22k Gold, Bronze, Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
22k Gold, Sterling Silver, Bronze, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Link Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Other, Moonstone, Multi-...
Antique 15th Century and Earlier American Byzantine Pendant Necklaces
22k Gold, Bronze, Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s More Necklaces
Diamond, Rubelite, Yellow Gold
Antique 15th Century and Earlier American Contemporary Link Necklaces
Multi-gemstone, Agate, Carnelian, Tiger's Eye, Turquoise, Chalcedony, Ye...
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Other, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Bronze, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Citrine, Diamond, Garnet, Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Opal, Quartz, Topaz, Turqu...
Antique 15th Century and Earlier American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 22k Gold, Bronze
Late 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Moonstone, Fluorite, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Chalcedony, Silver, Sterling Silver, Bronze
2010s Italian Artist More Necklaces
Bronze
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Unknown Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Garnet, 22k Gold
2010s European Artist Pendant Necklaces
Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Coral, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Bronze, Gold
2010s Turkish Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Byzantine Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Greek Pendant Necklaces
Moonstone, Rhodolite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
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Ancient Necklaces For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Ancient 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 Bvlgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The remnants of jewelry found from prehistoric times were made out of shells, stone and bones, and are thought to have been a symbol of status or rank. Shop a collection of ancient jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Shell beads, found by archeologists in Morocco, are thought to be the oldest jewelry in the world. The ancient beads are believed to be between 142,000 to 150,000 years old. While they may not be this ancient, you can find a collection of beads from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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