Shop by era
Victorian, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, Art Deco, Retro and mid-century. Each era filter draws on the era recorded for the piece from its marks and construction.
The collection
Vintage & Antique Necklaces
Antique and vintage necklaces are where European goldsmithing shows off. This category covers Victorian book chains and collars, Art Nouveau plique-à-jour pendants on their original chains, Edwardian négligée and festoon necklaces in platinum and seed pearl, Art Deco sautoirs, heavy Retro links and mid-century signed work, alongside estate necklaces in 14K and 18K gold that are more recent but no less well made.
2 pieces
One of a kindSampleView this pieceVintage 18K Gold Curb Link Necklace
18K
$3,587
One of a kindSampleView this pieceArt Deco Diamond Line Necklace in Platinum
Diamond
$12,133
Looking for something you saw earlier? Browse our archive of recently sold vintage jewelry to see the kind of pieces that pass through our hands.
A chain tells you its age through its links and its clasp. Hand-made links are slightly uneven and soldered individually; barrel clasps, bolt rings and early lobster clasps each belong to particular decades. Because these pieces were worn, the clasp and the spring are usually the first things to fail, so every necklace is opened, tested and where needed repaired or restrung at our bench before it is listed.
We weigh each necklace, record its length in both inches and millimeters, identify the gold standard from the hallmark and test the metal where a mark is worn away. Stones and pearls are assessed by our gemologist. Every necklace is one of a kind, ships free and fully insured to the US with import duties included, and can be seen live on a private video viewing before you decide.
From our archive
Sold, and shown for inspiration
These pieces have already found an owner and are not for sale. We keep them here so you can see the kind of necklaces that passes through our hands, and so we know what to look for when we source for you.
SoldSampleAuthentic antique
Antique pearl riviere with a gold clasp
14k gold clasp · Pearl
Sold November 2025 — no longer available
SoldSampleArt Deco
Art Deco old European cut solitaire, platinum
Platinum · Diamond
Sold May 2026 — no longer available
SoldSampleArt Deco
Art Deco diamond drop earrings, platinum
Platinum · Diamond
Sold May 2026 — no longer available
SoldSampleArt Nouveau
Art Nouveau enamel dragonfly brooch
14k gold
Sold April 2026 — no longer available
Source a similar pieceBook a private video viewingHave one made — AtelierNot sure? Use the finder
Personal service
Nothing here yet is quite it?
Three ways to go further, all of them with a person on the other side.
01
Book a private video viewing
One of our jewelers takes any piece to daylight and shows you the hallmark, the setting and any wear, live and in your own time zone.
Book a viewing02
Tell us what you are looking for
Our buyers are with European estates and auction houses every week. Describe the piece and we write to you the moment something right comes in.
We will source it03
Have one made — Atelier
Our Atelier pieces are newly handcrafted in our own workshop, taking their cues from the vintage and antique jewelry we have spent decades restoring. New work with a vintage soul, never sold as antique.
Explore AtelierShop by metal & stone
Yellow, white and rose gold, platinum and silver, with diamond, sapphire, emerald, ruby, opal, garnet and natural or cultured pearl. Lengths are listed in inches and millimeters so you can judge where the necklace will sit.
What makes an antique necklace special
Individually made links, hand-engraved clasps and settings built for the stone rather than around a standard mount. Many Victorian chains carry a hidden dog-clip or a slide, small details that a modern chain simply does not have.
Condition, clasps and restringing
Every clasp and link is checked and, where needed, serviced by our goldsmith. Pearls are restrung on silk with knots between them. Anything replaced or repaired is written into the condition report on the product page.
Buying from the Netherlands — duties included
Free insured shipping to the US with import duties already in the price, 30 days to return with free insured return shipping, and a private video viewing whenever you want to see the piece move before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- How can I tell a vintage necklace is real gold?
- By the hallmark and by testing. We locate the mark, which on a chain usually sits on the clasp, a jump ring or a small applied plate, identify the standard, and test the metal at the bench where the mark is worn or absent. The result is recorded on the product page.
- Can you shorten or lengthen an antique chain?
- Often yes, and our goldsmith does it in-house. On some hand-made chains and on pieces where the links carry a hallmark, altering the length would damage the piece or remove its mark, and we will tell you when that is the case.
- Are the pearls in your antique necklaces natural or cultured?
- Both appear, and we only state which when it is established. Where the record or testing does not confirm the origin, the listing says not specified rather than making a claim.
- Can I see the piece before I buy it?
- Book a private video viewing. One of our specialists takes the exact piece into daylight on camera, turns it, shows you the hallmark and the back of the setting, and answers your questions live in your own time zone.
- Do you ship to the US with duties included?
- Yes. Shipping from the Netherlands to any US address is free, fully insured and tracked, and import duties and taxes are already included in the price you see. Nothing extra is collected on delivery.
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About this category
Necklaces at Vintage Jewelry
Antique and vintage necklaces and chains from European estates, weighed, tested and restrung where needed.
About vintage necklaces
Chains carry their history in the links and the clasp. We weigh every necklace, record the length and the standard of the gold, and check each link and the clasp spring at the bench before a piece is listed.
How we authenticate vintage necklaces
Hallmarks on a chain sit on the clasp, on a jump ring or on a small applied plate. Our goldsmith finds and reads them, tests the metal where a mark is missing or worn, and our gemologist checks any stones. What we can establish goes in the dossier; what we cannot is left out.
Length and wear
Every necklace shows its length in millimeters and inches so you can judge where it will sit. Where a clasp was replaced or a link repaired, the condition section says so.
Read before you buy
Also of interest
Guides and collections that pair with these pieces.
Necklace length guide, with chartThe shapes and styles, named and explained.
Read more
How much is a vintage necklace worth?What drives the price of a piece like this.
Read more- New arrivals
Newly listed pieces, updated every week.
Read more 
Art DecoSymmetry, contrast and platinum. Onyx against diamond, calibre cut sapphires in stepped mounts, and the clean
Read more