Vintage Pendant
A vintage pendant brings together precious metals, carved jade and diamond work across the Edwardian, Art Deco and mid-century periods.
Vintage Pendant
A vintage pendant is a small decorative ornament designed to suspend from a chain or cord around the neck, taking forms from simple gold hearts and animal charms to intricate gemstone clusters. When searching for a vintage pendant, buyers encounter pieces spanning the Victorian era through the 1950s, created in gold, platinum and silver.
The selections available here reflect diverse aesthetic movements, including Art Deco geometric layouts, Edwardian openwork and organic Art Nouveau contours. Alongside standard neck pendants, the category frequently embraces religious medals, travel souvenirs and talismanic carvings in jade.
Makers such as Murrle Bennett represent the Arts and Crafts influence within these listings, while French ateliers contribute gold religious medals bearing signatures like Rasumny. Buyers select these items both for personal wear and for their distinct historical craftsmanship.
How they were made
Materials utilised in these pieces range from 9ct and 18ct yellow and white gold to platinum, set with stones including peridot, zircon, amethyst, emerald and diamond. Goldsmiths shaped precious metals using casting, wire-work and hand fabrication to form secure settings for gemstones and delicate drops.
Meticulous stone-cutting techniques define the period, with early brilliant cuts, seed pearls and natural pearls integrated into elaborate frames. Engraving and stamping methods appear on medals and charms, while pendant mounts incorporate fine millegrain edges and pierced metalwork.
Vintage Pendant Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for vintage pendant among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Among the gold charms and commemorative medals, a feline companion waits alongside travel souvenirs from Australia.
What varies in quality
The distinction between standard examples and superior pieces rests upon the precision of the metalwork and the quality of the set gemstones. Higher tier items display clean stone clarity, balanced proportions and sophisticated integration of platinum or high-carat gold.
Signatures from established workshops or identifiable designers elevate a piece above unmarked commercial output, demonstrating superior artistic intent and structural durability. The intricacy of hand-pierced galleries and the matching of gemstone colour further separate ordinary items from exceptional survivals.
Murrle Bennett·Rasumny
The Vintage Pendant Glossary
- Platinum
- A dense, durable white metal utilised in high-end Edwardian and Art Deco jewellery for secure stone settings.
- Millegrain
- A decorative technique featuring a line of tiny raised beads along the edge of a metal setting.
- Seed pearl
- A very small natural or cultured pearl, often used in clusters or floral Edwardian designs.
- Medal pendant
- A commemorative or religious medallion adapted with a loop for suspension as neckwear.
- Art Deco
- A design style from the 1920s and 1930s characterised by clean geometric lines and symmetrical patterns.
Vintage Pendant: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a vintage pendant?
A vintage pendant is a wearable ornament suspended from a chain, originating from eras such as the Edwardian period or the mid-twentieth century.
These pieces use materials like gold, platinum, jade and various gemstones to form charms, lockets, medals and gemstone clusters.
How do I date a pendant?
Dating relies on stylistic clues like Edwardian openwork or Art Deco geometry, alongside metal hallmarks and specific gemstone cuts.
Assay marks and maker signatures stamped on the metal provide precise clues to the year and region of manufacture.
How were antique medals worn?
Religious medals and commemorative tokens were often struck in 18K yellow gold and worn close to the heart on fine chains.
They served as personal talismans, communion gifts or records of significant life events.
Can I wear these every day?
Most gold and platinum pieces tolerate regular wear, though delicate pearl or antique gemstone settings require careful handling.
Storing pendants separately prevents scratching and protects fragile linkages from unnecessary strain.