A fringe necklace can be described as a series of pendant elements that dangle from links or cord which encircles the neck. The origin of the fringe necklace is the Egyptian broad collar (wesekh) which made its debut c.3rd millennium B.C. Minoan, Mycenaen, Greek and Etruscan jewelers favored the fringe necklace and indeed their examples chronicle the evolution of technology in goldwork. Mycenaeans stamped designs in gold to create a myriad of pendant designs. The Etruscans created a mesh band from which they suspended their many and varied pendants thus highlighting their skills with wire work and granulation.
As popular as fringe necklaces were in the early days of civilization they receded from fashion until rediscovered in the late 19th century as archaeologists unearthed these ancient civilizations. The fringe necklace took Europe by storm and necklaces in the archaeological revival style soon segued to fringe necklaces featuring diamonds and pearls. Slipping in and out of vogue, a resurgence of the fringe necklace in the 1950s has made the style a classic.