I have a soft spot for jewelry that means something. Not the kind that sits in a box on a dresser saved for a “special occasion” (UGH), but the kind you reach for every morning without thinking because they’ve become part of you. The kind that you sometimes picture passing down to your daughter or granddaughter. (Ok, getting teary-eyed thinking about it.)

That’s the idea behind The Heirloom Edit, our collection of one-of-a-kind vintage and antique jewelry. These are meaningful pieces meant to be gifted, treasured, and meant to be worn every single day. Yes, both can be done!!! Proof, coming right up..

“Something old” is one of my favorite wedding traditions, because it’s the one that connects a bride to everything that came before her. An antique chatelaine necklace does exactly that, without feeling like a museum piece. These are authentic Victorian-era chains, so the “old” part is verrry real. Here’s why this necklace is so dang special.

24″ Chatelaine Necklace | 18″ Version

I wore my chatelaine necklace at my wedding this past August, after ordering and returning many other options to go with my dress. I just kept coming back to (not shockingly) the necklace I wear multiple times a week over my tees, sweaters, and whatever the heck I have on. It just felt me at that point, and it looked (kind of astonishingly?) perfect with my silk dress.

24″ Chatelaine Necklace | 18″ Version

Every chatelaine has a history before it ever reaches you. (Swoon.) I love the thought that whoever you give it to (yourself included) gets to write the next chapter. Mine got a wedding day. That is the beauty of these sweet things.

24″ Chatelaine Necklace | 18″ Version

The best part is, it didn’t go back in a box after the wedding. Here’s how I actually wear it in real life, almost daily.

Wearing the 24″ opal lariat-style

• With a basic tee. The contrast between a plain tee (or a cute graphic) and a 100-year-old chain never gets old.
• Over a sweater. Either length is perfect for this! It’s tried and true for crewnecks and V-necks alike.
• Layered with your everyday chains. The slider on our 24″ ones lets you adjust the drop so it doesn’t tangle. Shana is especially good at pairing.
• With a button-up. Let the pendant peek out from an open collar. Loooove this look.
• On bare skin. Summer’s over… but dang, it was pretty.

Wearing the 24″ opal lariat-style

Each chatelaine in our shop is one of a kind, but you’ll generally choose from two lengths:

• The 24″ Chatelaine Necklace: It’s long and a little romantic. It’s gorgeous on its own or layered over a sweater, and the working slider lets you wear it as a lariat, at any desired length. This is how I wore mine on my wedding day.
• The 18″ Chatelaine Necklace: This one sits right at the collarbone, so it works with almost any neckline, and it’s the easiest one to wear every day. The gold gem slider sits at the base of the necklace, not sliding.

Right: 24″ version, lariat style | Left: 18″ version, necklace style

Then there are the details. Depending on the piece, you’ll find opal accents, ruby-red stones or delicate pearls. Because they’re authentic antiques, no two are exactly alike, and that’s my favorite part.

Wearing the 24″ seed pearl lariat-style

A chatelaine necklace is the kind of gift that marks a very special moment: a wedding, a milestone birthday, a new baby, a first job or a Mother’s Day, whatever. It comes with a built-in story, and no one else will have the exact same one. It’s the gift I’d most want to be passed down someday.

If you’re a mom looking for your daughter’s something old, this is it. It’s a real antique she can wear down the aisle and then every day after.

Every chatelaine is sourced and redesigned by hand by Philadelphia artisan Kat of Stone Cooper. Kat has a background in metalsmithing and spends hours digging through old warehouses, link by link, to find chains worth saving. We’re so proud to support someone right here in our community who treats these pieces with so much care (AND she’s one of the coolest people we know).

Shop the Victorian Chatelaine Necklaces →

The chatelaines are part of The Heirloom Edit, our collection of one-of-a-kind vintage and antique jewelry. See the full collection here.

P.S. Our Group Chat members get 15% off a shop order every single month. Join here!!!

What is a chatelaine necklace?
It’s a necklace made from an antique Victorian lorgnette chain (a fancy eyeglass chain, basically). The original dog clip once held glasses, scissors, tiny pencils or a locket. Every one of ours still has its original slider.

How old are your chatelaine necklaces?
They’re authentic antiques made from late-1800s chains. Many are more than 100 (some 140!) years old.

Can you wear an antique chatelaine necklace every day?
Yes! Each one is restored to be worn, whether that’s with a wedding dress or a white tee.

Which length should I choose?
Choose the 18″ for an easy everyday necklace that sits at the collarbone. Choose the 24″ for a longer, layered or lariat-style look.

Is a chatelaine necklace a good “something old” for a wedding?
It’s one of the most meaningful options there is. It’s a genuine antique you can keep wearing long after the wedding. (Speaking from experience!)

Shop Our Full Collection Here

Xoxo,
Abby