Various necklaces

For me, the dead giveaway for "new" necklaces is a lobster clasp with a dangling chain extension. I don't know exactly when makers of "mall jewelry" started adding the adjustable extension, but for the last few years any time I see that telltale chain I know not to look any further. It's typically lightweight and not at all like the extension chains used on vintage necklaces. As far as I know, vintage pendant style necklaces didn't have extension chains (women's neck sizes were smaller and didn't vary as much in size as they do today).

 

That extender is a dead giveaway. Sometimes I look anyway for a silver mark if it looks good otherwise, but never hold out much hope. Toggles are usually new too. There are a few old ones, but most were made in the last 20 years.

 

An example of semi-older jewelry with toggles is 1980's Anne Klein collar or bib necklaces. Some have sold for hundreds of dollars.

 

I didn't know about the Anne Klein, but it makes sense.