Goddess Woman Coral Pendant Necklace Antique Etruscan Victorian Gold Neoclassic
Located in New York, NY
The Coral Goddess is set in 10-14 Karat Gold. The pendant is a masterpiece of the period.
Coral, Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
Pansy Forget-Me-Not Flower Star OMC Diamond Enamel Pendant 14K Gold Victorian
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS A GORGEOUS VICTORIAN - ART NOUVEAU PENDANT OR BROOCH IN THE FORM OF A STAR ADORNED THROUGHOUT WITH PINK AND BLUE ENAMEL FORGET-ME-NOT, OR PANSY, FLOWERS WITH AN OLD MINE CUT ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Enamel, Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 12k Rose Gold Natural Pearl Pendant Necklace, Circa 1890
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning, fine and impressive Victorian pendant has been crafted in 12k rose gold.
Natural Pearl, Rose Gold
Victorian Tulip Crest Shield Intaglio Locket Pendant Necklace Agate Etruscan
Located in New York, NY
This is a rare and wonderful antique carved Crest Shield Victorian Etruscan Revival Locket Pendant with Banded Agate or Sardonyx gems.
Agate, Gold, 14k Gold, 15k Gold
Gilded Age Old Mine Diamond Pearl Pendant Necklace 14K Gold Sunburst Victorian
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in an exquisite Old Mine Diamond and Silver Pearl Sunburst Pendant in 14-16 Karat Yellow Gold dating to the Gilded Age, circa 1870-1910. The exquisite pendant necklace has a...
Pearl, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rose Cut Diamond Ruby Locket Pendant Necklace Victorian 14 Karat Gold Antique
Located in New York, NY
The pendant locket dates to the Victorian to Art Deco period, circa 1860-1920.
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Victorian Dove Bird Swallow Locket Pendant Etruscan Revival, Circa 1860
Located in New York, NY
This is a magnificent Victorian - Belle Epoque Picture Locket Pendant with a stunning fully modeled three dimensional dove swallow bird on the front.
Gold-filled
Antique Black Opal Pendant 18 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Victorian Art Deco
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS A SPECTACULAR ANTIQUE VICTORIAN TO ART DECO BLACK OPAL PENDANT IN 18 KARAT YELLOW GOLD.
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Orchid Flower Pendant OMC Diamond Enamel Charm 14K Gold Victorian Art Nouveau
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS A VICTORIAN - ART NOUVEAU LAVALIERE PENDANT IN THE FORM OF A FLOWER OR ORCHID - SO STUNNING WITH THE MOST SPECTACULAR MULTI-HUED ORANGE, CREAM AND YELLOW DETAILED ENAMEL OF T...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Enamel, Gold, Yellow Gold
Persian Turquoise Spider and Fly Insect Bug Pendant Necklace Antique Victorian
Located in New York, NY
This is an absolutely wonderful and rare antique Victorian - Edwardian Spider Web and Fly Pendant set with gorgeous Persian Turquoise and Pearls in beautiful antique gold.
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 9k Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Old Mine Diamond Pearl Clover Shamrock Pendant Necklace Belle Epoque
Located in New York, NY
A stunning and very special Victorian - Belle Epoque three leaf Clover Shamrock Pendant with Old Mine Cut Diamonds and spectacular Pearls set in 14 Karat Gold.
Pearl, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Gibson Girl Maiden Woman Locket Pendant Circa 1890 Art Nouveau
Located in New York, NY
This is a gorgeous antique gold filled Victorian - Art Nouveau locket pendant which features a beautiful Gibson Girl woman maiden lady with flowing hair adorned with flowers wearing ...
Gold-filled, Gilt Metal
Citrine Bird Carrying Mail Fob Seal Pendant "Depeche Vous" "Hurry Up" Victorian
Located in New York, NY
The pendant is 10 Karat Gold. The pendant weighs 7.5 grams.
Citrine, Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
5 Carat Citrine Pearl Heart Pendant Lavalier Necklace Antique Victorian 14 Karat
Located in New York, NY
This is a beautiful Victorian - Art Deco Citrine Pearl Pendant in 14 Karat Gold.
Citrine, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Victorian Book Chain Necklace Antique Dog Clip For Locket Or Pendant circa 1870
Located in New York, NY
THE NECKLACE IS GOLD FILLED AND DATES TO C1860-1890. THE NECKLACE IS PERFECT FOR HANGING YOUR FAVORITE LOCKET OR PENDANT.
Gold-filled
$2,280Sale Price|20% Off
Victorian Coral Pearl Festoon Swag Necklace Antique Gold
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS A STUNNING VICTORIAN - ART NOUVEAU - BELLE EPOQUE FESTOON NECKLACE WITH THE MOST GORGEOUS NATURAL SALMON CORAL CABOCHONS AND PENDANT WITH SEED PEARLS IN A CLASSIC FLORAL FLOW...
Pearl, Coral, 10k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
Persian Turquoise Diamond Heart Necklace Antique Gold Victorian
Located in New York, NY
The jewels are set in 12 Karat Gold. The heart is on a Victorian 14 Karat gold chain of great beauty.
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond Sapphire Pearl Pendant Necklace Edwardian Belle Epoque Wedding Victorian
Located in New York, NY
INDULGE IN A GORGEOUS ORIGINAL EDWARDIAN - ART DECO - BELLE EPOQUE - DIAMOND, NATURAL SAPPHIRE, PEARL PENDANT IN 10-12K GOLD WITH A STUNNING CIRCULAR FORM WITH 4 ROUND NATURAL BLUE ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Peridot Rose Cut Diamond Platinum Lavaliere Pendant Necklace Antique Victorian
Located in New York, NY
This is a stunning antique Victorian - Edwardian Peridot and Rose Cut Diamond Lavaliere Pendant Necklace in Platinum atop 14 Karat Gold.
Diamond, Peridot, Platinum, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
Edwardian Diamond Platinum Pearl Pendant Necklace Victorian, circa 1900
Located in New York, NY
This is an extraordinary museum quality Edwardian - Victorian Pendant Necklace with 21 Old European Cut Diamonds of incredible G color totaling 1.1 Carat.
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, 18k Gold
Art Deco Bohemian Garnet Pendant Lavaliere Necklace Brooch Antique Victorian
Located in New York, NY
The pendant is 8-9 Carat Gold or possibly gold filled.
Garnet, 9k Gold
Victorian 14K Gold Lion Locket Necklace with Diamond & Ruby Eyes
Located in New York, NY
This is a spectacular antique Victorian lion, panther, leopard or tiger locket and chain in 14 Karat Gold with an Old Mine Cut Diamond in the mouth and Ruby cabochons in the eyes, in...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Siberian Amethyst Etruscan Revival Necklace Antique 14 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
INDULGE IN A STUNNING ANTIQUE SIBERIAN AMETHYST VICTORIAN ETRUSCAN REVIVAL 14 KARAT GOLD PENDANT NECKLACE WITH THREE PEAR SHAPE SIBERIAN AMETHYST DROPS, A PEARL AND EXQUISITE BEADED ...
Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Persian Turquoise Pearl Necklace Antique Victorian Fringe Teardrop Riviere Gold
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS A STUNNING PERSIAN TURQUOISE ANTIQUE VICTORIAN - BELLE EPOQUE NECKLACE WITH THE MOST GORGEOUS NATURAL PEAR SHAPE TEARDROP TURQUOISE GEMS SET IN A WONDERFUL PENDANT FRINGE D...
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Victorian Siberian Amethyst Pearl Festoon Swag Necklace 14 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in a stunning Antique Victorian - Edwardian Festoon Necklace with the most gorgeous gem quality Siberian Amethysts set in beautiful 14 Karat Gold with a Baroque Pearl accent....
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Victorian Siberian Amethyst Festoon Necklace Antique 14 Karat Gold Briolette
Located in New York, NY
INDULGE IN A STUNNING VICTORIAN - ART NOUVEAU - BELLE EPOQUE FESTOON NECKLACE WITH THE MOST GORGEOUS NATURAL ROUND AND BRIOLETTE CUT SIBERIAN AMETHYST GEMS SET IN A GORGEOUS OPEN WOR...
Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Siberian Amethyst Pearl Necklace Antique Fringe Drop Riviere Gold
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS A STUNNING ANTIQUE VICTORIAN - BELLE EPOQUE NECKLACE WITH THE MOST GORGEOUS NATURAL GRADUATED OVAL FACETED SIBERIAN AMETHYST GEMS SET IN A WONDERFUL PENDANT FRINGE DESIGN WIT...
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Victorian Gold Locket 16 Karat Etruscan Pearl, circa 1860
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous Victorian - Belle Epoque Picture locket pendant in an Etruscan open work motif set with pearls in the most stunning warm brushed 16 Karat Rose Gold.
Pearl, 15k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 30 Carat Rose de France Amethyst Festoon Swag Necklace Gold
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in a stunning Antique Victorian - Edwardian Festoon Necklace with the most gorgeous 30 Carats of Rose De France Natural Mined Amethysts set in a beautiful Gold Festoon drapin...
Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold, 10k Gold, Gold-filled
Victorian Flower Locket Old Mine Cut Diamond Black Onyx Pearl Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This is a magnificent Antique Victorian to Art Deco Old Mine Cut Diamond and Pearl Locket Pendant in Black Onyx and Gold with an exquisite diamond and pearl Flower on the Black Onyx...
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 14K Gold Black Onyx Wheat Sheaf Locket Necklace Flower Pearl
Located in New York, NY
This is a gorgeous antique Victorian Wheat Sheaf Flower Locket Pendant Necklace in 14 Karat Gold in carved Black Onyx adorned with Pearls in an extraordinary three-dimensional design.
Onyx, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Victorian 18k Yellow and Rose Gold Locket, Circa 1880, France
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional antique French locket crafted in 18 karat yellow and rose gold; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This exceptional, fine and impress...
18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Wendy Vanderbilt 1/2 Carat Diamond Pearl Pendant Brooch Antique Victorian
Located in New York, NY
A gorgeous Victorian - Belle Epoque Diamond and Pearl Pendant Brooch from the estate of Wendy Vanderbilt Lehman.
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Micromosaic Love Bird Dove Locket Necklace Etruscan Revival Victorian 14k Gold
Located in New York, NY
The locket is 22 Karat Gold atop 14 Karat Gold. The locket dates to the Victorian period, circa 1830-1860.
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
Victorian 18k Gold Chrysoprase & Diamond Necklace, Italy Circa 1870
Located in Firenze, IT
The line collar, suspending a tapering cascade of oval cabochon chryspoprase, within rose cut diamonds. Lenght:40cm Weight:25gr.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Victorian Coral Cameo Festoon Necklace 14 Karat Gold Neoclassical Goddess Maiden
Located in New York, NY
This is an absolutely stunning early antique Coral Cameo Festoon Pendant Necklace in 14 Karat Gold dating to the Victorian period with six magnificent hand carved maiden woman goddes...
Coral, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 14K Gold Black Onyx Pearl Locket Necklace 20 Inches Circa 1870
Located in New York, NY
This is an absolutely stunning Museum Quality antique Victorian Locket Pendant Necklace in 14 Karat Gold in carved Black Onyx adorned with Pearls in an extraordinary Etruscan Revival...
Onyx, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Moonstone Ruby Necklace Antique 14 Karat Gold Museum Quality Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The necklace is an absolute masterpiece of antique Victorian jewelry artistry. The combination of moonstone, ruby and rose gold in the pendant design is exquisite.
Moonstone, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold
Victorian Enamel Pearl Locket Necklace 16 Karat Gold Etruscan Revival circa 1860
Located in New York, NY
This is an absolutely gorgeous Royal Blue Enamel, Pearl and 16 Karat Gold Antique Victorian - Belle Epoque Picture locket pendant necklace in an Etruscan Revival motif.
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
4.52 Carat Garnet and Diamond and Yellow Gold Pendant Antique
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive antique Victorian pendant has been crafted in 12k yellow gold.
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Siberian Amethyst Natural Pearl Festoon Swag Necklace 14 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in a stunning Antique Victorian - Edwardian Amethyst Pearl Festoon Necklace with the most gorgeous Siberian Amethyst gems set in beautiful 14 Karat Gold with natural Baroque ...
Amethyst, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Roman Warrior Diamond Locket Necklace Old Mine 14 Karat Gold Classical
Located in New York, NY
This is a gorgeous Victorian - Belle Epoque Picture locket pendant with a stunning Roman Neoclassical Warrior set with a .15 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond.
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bohemian Garnet Pearl Necklace 14 Karat Gold Victorian Belle Epoque Circa 1860
Located in New York, NY
INDULGE IN A GORGEOUS ANTIQUE VICTORIAN - BELLE EPOQUE NATURAL BOHEMIAN GARNET AND PEARL NECKLACE WITH FLOWER FLORETS OF SUPERB LARGE DEEP RED WINE GARNETS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY SET...
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Rose Cut Diamond Enamel Portrait Locket Necklace 14 Karat Gold Victorian
Located in New York, NY
This is a Museum Quality Antique Victorian - Belle Epoque Locket Pendant with exquisite Enamel Portrait decoration, set with a Rose Cut Diamond and the word "Memoria."
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Victorian Flower Maiden Locket Enamel Ruby Pearl 14 Karat Gold Etruscan Revival
Located in New York, NY
This is a rare and wonderful Victorian Enamel Ruby Pearl 14 Karat Gold Locket Pendant with an image of a woman carrying flowers.
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Enamel, 14k Gold
Victorian Flower Charm Necklace Old Mine Diamond Pearl Enamel 14 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
This is an absolutely gorgeous Victorian - Edwardian Flower Charm Necklace with Flowers adorned with Diamonds, Pearls, and Enamel. The delicate romantic necklace is a reflection of ...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
Antique 6.92ct Garnet, 3.50ct Moonstone and 1.23ct Diamond Yellow Gold Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning antique Victorian 6.92 carat garnet, 3.50 carat moonstone and 1.23 carat diamond, 14 karat yellow gold and 14k white gold set pendant; part of our diverse antique jeweller...
Diamond, Garnet, Moonstone, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Albert Chain Necklace 2 Dog Clips White Gold Filled Fancy Link T Bar
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS A SUPERB ANTIQUE VICTORIAN FANCY LINK ALBERT CHAIN NECKLACE IN WHITE GOLD FILLED WITH TWO FABULOUS DOG CLIPS INCLUDING A VERY LARGE DOG CLIP BALE AND A LARGE TROMBONE T BAR.
Gold-filled
Antique Victorian Mourning 18 Karat Yellow Gold Jet Cameo with Diamonds
Located in San Francisco, CA
Um, wow! This is one amazing piece of jewelry!! I'm totally in love with it! Crafted in 18K Yellow Gold, and topped in Silver, this gorgeous piece of Mourning jewelry features a beau...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Bacchus Dionysus with Butterfly Cameo Pendant Brooch 14 Karat Gold Antique
Located in New York, NY
This is a stunning and very rare antique Art Deco - Victorian - Belle Epoque Cameo Pendant or Brooch of a magnificent hand carved face of Bacchus, also known as Dionysus, with a Butt...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Coral Cameo Pendant Necklace Gold Pearl Neoclassical Goddess Woman
Located in New York, NY
The pendant is 10 Karat Gold. The pendant weighs 4.2 grams.
Coral, Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Diamond and Natural Pearl Pendant Silver on Gold
Located in Lucerne, CH
This cute Victorian pendant is held in silver on gold 750 which is a typical combination for that period.
Diamond, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver, Gold
Dew Drop Pendant 18k Yellow Gold Translucent Purple Vitreous Enamel Guilloche
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer drop pendant 18k yellow gold, Dew Drop Collection, translucent purple vitreous enamel, guilloche, measurements app. 28.0 mm x 10.0 mm About the creator Victor Mayer Vic...
Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
Dew Drop Pendant Necklace - 18k Yellow Gold - Opalescent White Enamel Guilloche
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer drop pendant necklace 18k yellow gold, Dew Drop Collection, opalescent white vitreous enamel, guilloche, measurements app. 28.0 mm x 10.0 mm About the creator Victor Ma...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Dew Drop Pendant Necklace - 18k Yellow Gold - Purple Vitreous Enamel Guilloche
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer drop pendant necklace 18k yellow gold, Dew Drop Collection, translucent purple vitreous enamel, guilloche, measurements app. 28.0 mm x 10.0 mm About the creator Victor ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Dew Drop Pendant - 18k Yellow Gold - Opalescent White Vitreous Enamel Guilloche
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer drop pendant 18k yellow gold, Dew Drop Collection, opalescent white vitreous enamel, guilloche, measurements app. 28.0 mm x 10.0 mm About the creator Victor Mayer Victo...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Miniature Pinscher Chihuahua Terrier Dog Pendant Essex Crystal 18 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in a gorgeous and very rare antique Victorian Essex Crystal Pendant Necklace with an exquisitely rendered hand carved and painted enamel image of a Miniature Pinscher, Zwerg...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
The reign of Queen Victoria encapsulates a quickly evolving period of history — and jewelry styles were no exception. No single period has seen such a diverse group of jewelry attributed to it than the Victorian era. Today, there is a vast collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry and watches on 1stDibs.
Victorian jewelry is named after Queen Victoria, whose reign lasted from 1837 to 1901, making her the second longest-ruling monarch. (She was surpassed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2015.) During this time, different styles of fashion and jewelry came and went. Thanks to our fascination with royalty and swoon-worthy melodramas like Netflix’s The Crown — which is rife with evocative fashion, jewelry and interiors — and the 2017 feature film Victoria & Abdul, we are all familiar with her story. After the death of Victoria’s father and three childless uncles, she ascended to the throne at age 18. In 1840, Queen Victoria married the love of her life, her first cousin Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
Queen Victoria loved serpentine jewels, and she had even more power to shape trends than Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle do today. The British monarch’s best-known piece in this mold is the gold coiled-snake engagement ring she received from Prince Albert — the sinuous reptile was considered a symbol of everlasting love.
The Queen's 63-year reign has been divided by historians into the Romantic period, the early happy years, circa 1837–60; the Grand period, marked by the deaths of the Queen’s mother and husband, circa 1860–80; and the late Victorian or Aesthetic period, which lasted from about 1880 until 1901 and ushered in the Belle Époque. Queen Victoria wore her heart on her sleeve, and her fashion and jewelry reflected her emotions.
Romantic period jewelry, which featured common decorative motifs and was embellished with seed pearls, coral and turquoise, was a celebration of the young monarch’s love. Everything changed with the death of Prince Albert, and the Grand period is most often associated with mourning jewelry. Jewelry was smaller, lighter and more dainty during the late Victorian period. During this era, diamonds came into fashion, and semiprecious gems such as amethysts and opals became prevalent, too. Using gemstones for their natural beauty and not their worth was something that jewelers of the era felt passionate about, and this ideology would really become relevant in Art Nouveau jewelry.
Find a collection of authentic antique Victorian jewelry — from rings, necklaces and brooches to a range of other accessories — on 1stDibs.
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
Also called Y necklaces as they are designed to hang a certain way, vintage drop necklaces are striking and adaptable. They can enhance everything from a casual sweater-and-jeans combo to an elegant heels-and-evening-dress pairing.
Adornment is an ancient human practice, with archeologists identifying early jewelry made from bones, claws and shells. As technology has advanced, so too have jewelry designs and the design of necklaces, from the simple to the intricate.
Drop necklaces come from lariat-style necklaces, which are chain necklaces that end in a tassel or pendant. A drop necklace’s design, meanwhile, is long with open ends, and it usually does not have a clasp. It consists of a single chain that wraps around the neck and a centerpiece — sometimes featuring a diamond or pearls — that hangs down to the middle of the chest. Drop necklaces frequently come in lengths from 16 to 20 inches, with the vertical lines making them appear longer than other necklaces of the same length.
Drop necklaces are extremely versatile, able to be worn knotted, draped or looped. They can be chunky statement pieces or thin, minimal designs. The range of drop necklaces that can be found on 1stDibs can accentuate the plunging necklines of modern looks or add flair to a basic ensemble.