There's a reason the pendant has outlasted every other jewelry trend: it does the work of a whole outfit in a single gesture. On a fine chain it slips quietly into a neckline; on a heavier link it becomes the entire look. We went through the contemporary floor and the fine jewelry cases alike, pulling everyday gold from the likes of Jenny Bird and Lié Studio, a few sculptural one-offs, and the sort of heirloom pieces you buy once and keep forever. Consider every one of them Phia-approved. Scroll on to shop the picks ahead.
The Best Pendant Necklaces
From jasper orbs to gold medallions, shop our favorites.

I pulled together the best pendant necklaces, from a simple sterling silver pendant to diamond and topaz on 18-karat gold. FoundRae, Khaite, Oscar de la Renta, Melissa Joy Manning, Persée, and Diane Kordas bring a mix of fine chains, hammered pearl details, sculptural shapes, and everyday pieces that can sit neatly at a neckline.

Sterling silver pendant necklace
Phoebe Philo

Reverie 18kt gold pendant necklace with diamonds and topaz
FoundRae

Hammered Pearl Pendant Necklace
Oscar de la Renta

Keefe gold-plated pendant necklace
Khaite

14K Yellow Gold Lab Grown Diamond Marquis Half Bezel Solitaire Pendant Necklace, 16-18"
Moon & Meadow

14-karat recycled gold diamond necklace
Melissa Joy Manning

Séléné 18-karat gold diamond necklace
Persée

Evil Eye 18-karat gold diamond necklace
Diane Kordas

Scarab silver onyx necklace
Sophie Buhai

Bolo gold-pendant sterling-silver necklace
Loren Stewart

Julia Long Pendant Necklace
Heaven Mayhem

Flower Child 14-karat gold chrome diopside necklace
Stone And Strand

Monogram Pendant Necklace
Jenny Bird

The Key of the Night gold-plated necklace
Alighieri

The Julia gold-plated and mookaite pendant necklace
Lié Studio
Men's Icon Damascus Steel Pendant Necklace in Sterling Silver, 24" + 2" extender
Bulova

Enero gold-plated and garnet pendant necklace
Simuero

Aleksa Orb-detailed pearl-effect silver-tone necklace
Vivienne Westwood

Nautilus Shell Beaded Necklace
veronicabeard.com

The Cubic Drop Cord Necklace
Roxanne Assoulin