Turquoise Cross Pendant
20th Century Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Native American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Native American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary North American Native American Pendant Nec...
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Late 20th Century American Native American Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Native American Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Native American Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1990s French Pendant Necklaces
Late 20th Century American Native American Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Hungarian Renaissance Revival Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Turquoise, Silver, Enamel, Gilt Metal
Antique 1890s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 9k Gold
20th Century Native American Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Turquoise, Silver
Early 20th Century English Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, Enamel
2010s Australian Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Portuguese Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Black Diamond, Garnet, Tsavorite, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Renaissance Revival Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Pearl, Turquoise, Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Native American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary North American Native American Pendant Nec...
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Native American Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Antique 1860s Hungarian High Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Silver, Enamel
Antique 1870s Hungarian Renaissance Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Silver
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Rock Crystal, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Antique 1810s Italian Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Pearl, Ruby, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Silver
2010s Swiss Arts and Crafts Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Turquoise, Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Swiss Arts and Crafts Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
20th Century Unknown Modern Drop Necklaces
Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Native American Necklace Enhancers
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s American Renaissance Drop Necklaces
Gold Plate, Brass, Gilt Metal, Cut Steel
20th Century American Tribal Collectible Jewelry
Stone, Sterling Silver
Antique 1860s English High Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
1990s Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 9k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Moonstone, Turquoise, Silver
Antique 1860s British Necklace Enhancers
Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise
Early 2000s Pendant Necklaces
Rock Crystal, Turquoise, Rose Gold
Antique Early 1900s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
20th Century Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Carnelian, Turquoise, 22k Gold
Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Turquoise, 14k Gold, Gold
Mid-20th Century American Native American Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Coral, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century Russian Victorian More Necklaces
Turquoise
20th Century Brooches
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
- 1
Turquoise Cross Pendant For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Turquoise Cross Pendant?
The Legacy of Turquoise in Jewelry Design
The thought of vintage and antique turquoise jewelry often conjures up images of striking Navajo bracelets and necklaces worn with a denim shirt and cowboy boots. This all-American look has been celebrated by fashion designers like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger on their runways and in ad campaigns. In the October 2016 issue of Vogue magazine, Tom Ford said he only wears turquoise jewelry at his Santa Fe ranch. So what is it about this gorgeous blue-green stone that makes us wish that we were born in December?
It’s not surprising that turquoise is abundant in New Mexico and Arizona because, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), it needs to be in “dry and barren regions where acidic, copper-rich groundwater seeps downward and reacts with minerals that contain phosphorus and aluminum.
Turquoise is not found in a single crystal but is a combination of microcrystals. Its appearance, waxy and opaque, is attributed to its structure and composition. “It’s an aggregate of microscopic crystals that form a solid mass. If the crystals are packed closely together, the material is less porous, so it has a finer texture. Fine-textured turquoise has an attractive, waxy luster when it’s polished. Turquoise with a less-dense crystal structure has higher porosity and coarser texture, resulting in a dull luster when it’s polished,” notes the GIA. Since no one wants to set a dull piece of turquoise, porous turquoise is often treated to make the stone more attractive.
In the United States, there have been discoveries of turquoise from 200 B.C. It is not just loose turquoise stones that have been found, but entire suites of jewelry from prehistoric times. In the late 19th-century, the Navajo Indians, who learned silversmithing from the Spanish, started to make beads out of turquoise and eventually combined it with silver around the 1880s. Initially this jewelry was for ceremonial purposes, but it became fashionable once the tourism in the Southwest picked up in the beginning of the 20th century.
Find antique and vintage turquoise rings, necklaces, bracelets and other accessories on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right Pendant-necklaces for You
Whether you’re layering multiple jewelry pieces or opting for a single strand, vintage pendant necklaces are versatile accessories that can elevate your casual wear as easily as they can add a creative flourish to your formal attire.
The earliest jewelry was less about accessorizing than it was about wearers arming themselves with amulets. In Ancient Egypt, some amulets featured a loop so that they could be strung around one’s neck. While rubies have long been one of the few gemstones that can give diamonds a run for their money, members of some ancient civilizations valued the stones from the get-go, donning ruby pendants as well as other stones with the belief that these adornments would bring protection, healing powers or strength. Today, we still wear our charm bracelets and charm pendants around our necks for good luck.
Later, pendant necklaces, like most fine jewelry, were worn strictly by royalty or the upper class and conferred wealth and prestige. This changed over time, thankfully, as wearing jewelry became more widespread, a democratized means of personal expression.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, pendant necklaces evolved from their status as spiritual amulets, but the jewels still carried deep personal significance. Victorian pendants, in particular, were part of the “mourning jewelry” tradition. Wearers would embed their pendants with locks of hair from a deceased loved one as a way of grieving in the wake of a loss. In the case of cameo jewelry, some pendants were even decorated with miniature hand-carved portraits in a detailed raised relief. Today, portraiture is still a characteristic of many of the hand-carved pendant necklaces offered by Italian jewelry house Scala Gioielli.
Luxury fine jewelry brands such as Cartier, BVLGARI and David Yurman offer their own unique interpretations of the cherished accessory, embellishing platinum or gold pendant necklaces with diamonds, sapphires and other stones.
On 1stDibs, find an extraordinary range of vintage pendant necklaces and other necklaces today.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021The meaning of a cross pendant is generally that it is a symbol of the Christian faith. It represents a person’s belief, provides comfort for the wearer, and promotes awareness of the religion. Cross pendants have been worn for centuries and are popular today. Shop a range of antique and vintage cross pendants on 1stDibs.
Read More
This Victorian Necklace Features a Rainbow of Gems
If jewelry could talk, we know this piece would have good stories.
A Centuries-Old Style, Lockets Have Never Lost Their Romantic Appeal
Emblems of heartfelt emotion, elegant vessels for photos and keepsakes and perfect for layering, these special ornaments are an essential component of any thoughtfully curated jewelry collection.
This Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Is an Heirloom in the Making
With more than 100 carats of diamonds, this vintage stunner converts into different styles, making it as versatile as it is breathtaking.
[Survey] Two-Thirds of Jewelry Gift Recipients Don’t Want to Be Surprised
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
Next-Level Pearls That Go Well Beyond the Expected
Organic shapes, surprising textures, shimmering colors and inventive embellishments take the new generation of pearl jewelry from classic to cutting-edge.
7 Vibrant Jewels for a Breezy Late-Summer Wardrobe
Soak up the pleasures of the season with a these bold gems.
Whether Worn Alone or Layered, These Chain Link Necklaces Are Trending
Learn more about the stylish links that have passed the test of time.
Meet the Dapper, Mustachioed Parisian Who’s Tops in Crafting Enticing Jewels
After more than a decade creating the iconic Lanvin gems of the Alber Elbaz years, designer Elie Top dove into the world of fine jewelry, mixing silver and gold to create his own striking, timeless look.