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Antique Pendants and Necklaces

At Friar House we have an extensive selection of Antique Necklaces that are both individual and unique, timeless classics. Browse our collection of Vintage and Art Deco Necklaces and Pendants, in 18ct white and yellow gold, and also Platinum, set with Diamonds, and coloured Gemstones. Shop our ever growing collection of Antique Diamond Pendants and coloured Gemstone Pendants, for your one of a kind Antique Necklace.

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Antique necklace and pendant styles

Necklace and pendant design followed the same broad progression as the rest of antique jewellery. Victorian necklaces tend toward gold chains set with a single pendant stone, mourning lockets, or graduated gemstone riviere necklaces. Edwardian necklaces bring in fine platinum chains and lavaliere pendants with delicate drops. Art Deco necklaces are typically bolder, with geometric pendant shapes, sautoir-length chains, and diamonds combined with coloured gemstones in symmetrical patterns.

Chain construction is worth checking on any antique necklace - curb, trace and box chains all wear differently, and a chain that has been shortened, extended or had a clasp replaced is common enough that we check each link on every antique necklace by hand rather than assuming a chain is entirely original.

Styles in our necklace and pendant collection

Our range of antique necklaces and antique pendants includes Victorian lockets, riviere necklaces, Edwardian lavaliere pendants and Art Deco geometric necklaces, in gold, platinum and platinum-topped gold. Antique diamond necklaces and vintage diamond pendants both feature strongly, alongside art deco pendants with bold geometric patterns and art deco necklaces combining diamonds with coloured gemstones.

We note the condition of chains and clasps separately from the pendant or central design on every antique necklace, since these are often the parts most likely to have been altered over time. Whether you are searching for a delicate vintage diamond pendant or a striking art deco statement necklace, our collection offers genuine antique pieces across a range of styles and budgets.

Buying a necklace or pendant: what to look for

If you are looking for a necklace of a specific length for layering or a particular neckline, let us know - antique chain lengths vary considerably from what is standard today, and we can often adjust a chain to suit. We check clasp security on every antique necklace individually, since clasps see more daily wear than any other part of the piece.

Jewellery has long been a symbol of status, love and personal expression, and every antique necklace or pendant in our collection tells a story of the craftsmanship and style of its era - something we are always happy to talk through with you.

Visit us or browse online

Our antique necklaces and pendants collection changes regularly as new pieces come in. Contact us directly if you are searching for a specific length, style or period, or visit our shop at 29 High Street, Battle, East Sussex, open Monday to Saturday, 10:15 to 17:00.

Expertly Curated ByVictoria Dahms Victoria DahmsAntique Jewellery Expert
Victoria has 30 years experience curating the finest antique and vintage jewellery
Victoria's Story
Questions

Common Questions

Our antique necklace and pendant collection includes lavalières and drop pendants, rivières and diamond line necklaces, festoon and swag necklaces, Art Deco geometric pendants, and naturalistic Victorian drops. We stock pieces in yellow gold, white gold, and platinum across all periods from Victorian through to mid-century vintage, with stones from diamonds to coloured gemstones and pearl.

Chain strength varies significantly depending on construction and gauge. We inspect every chain on arrival and note any weaknesses, repairs, or vulnerable links in the listing. Many fine Edwardian and Art Deco chains are surprisingly robust. Very fine Victorian chains may be better suited to occasional wear. Where a chain shows wear or has been repaired, we describe this fully - and the quality of any repairs - in the listing.

In most cases yes. Chain length can usually be adjusted by a jeweller - chains can be shortened by removing links or lengthened by adding a period-sympathetic extension. Some pendant drops can also be reworked to hang from a different chain if the original is damaged. We can advise on the best approach for any specific piece and recommend a specialist if needed.

Store each necklace separately to prevent chains tangling and stones scratching against each other. A soft-lined jewellery box with individual compartments, or a roll with separate fabric pockets, is ideal. Keep away from direct sunlight and humidity. Fine Edwardian and Art Deco chains on pendants should be laid flat or loosely coiled rather than hung when stored - repeated tension on very fine chains can weaken them at the clasp or pendant bail over time.

Diamond drop pendants - a single old European cut diamond in a fine gold or platinum pendant setting - are consistently our most popular style, combining simplicity and quality in a versatile piece suitable for both everyday and formal wear. Art Deco geometric pendants with diamond and coloured stone combinations are a close second. Victorian bar brooches that convert to pendants on a chain are a perennially popular dual-purpose piece.

A lavalière is a delicate pendant popular in the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, typically featuring a small ornamental drop suspended from a fine chain, often with a secondary pendant below the first in a cascading arrangement. The style is characteristically light and feminine, usually in gold or platinum with small diamonds, seed pearls, or coloured stones. The name derives from the Duchesse de La Vallière, a favourite of Louis XIV.

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