Gold Necklaces & Pendants

As one of the world’s oldest precious metals, gold is an essential component of jewelry, and gold necklaces are arguably the most central. Ranging from simple strands for suspending pendants to stand-alone statement pieces, vintage gold necklaces blend beauty and backstory.

Gold made its first documented appearance around the 5th century B.C. in present-day Eastern Europe, but its popularity soon spread across the ancient cultures of both Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean. The Sumerians refined metalworking to yield remarkably complex gold jewelry designs, and by 1200 B.C. the ancient Egyptians had added the technique of hammering gold into gold leaf.

It was during these ancient empires that gold began to be used as a means of currency as well, a tradition that continued throughout history. This reinforced the value of the metal as well as its role as a status symbol for those who wore it in jeweled adaptations. Kingdoms sent fleets to find gold around the globe, and wealthy rulers often draped themselves in gold chains as a sign of the wealth and power.

Quick Facts

• The first gold coins used as currency were produced in the 6th century by the powerful kingdom of Lydia, once located in what is now Turkey
• A testament to the desirability of gold was the California Gold Rush, which resulted in a population boom in California – from 1,000 to 100,000 in one year’s time – and the extraction of close to $2 billion of precious metals by its end
• The largest recorded nugget of gold was known as the “Welcome Stranger” nugget and was discovered in southern Australia just below ground in 1869. Amassing just less than 160 pounds, this nugget was melted down shortly after its discovery, which was customary to facilitate its shipping