Pearl Jewelry
1920s Spanish Art Nouveau Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1990s European Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Diamond, Coral, Silver, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Enamel
18th Century Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Enamel
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 9k Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s European Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1970s American Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Iolite, Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver, Silver
19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Oriental Pearl, Natural Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Cultured...
19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, Rose Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Pink Sapphire, Amethyst, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl
2010s Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Quartz, 18k Gold
1930s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Agate, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s Spanish Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Spanish Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
Late 20th Century Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Art Nouveau Vintage Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Turquoise, Pearl, 18k Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
1860s European Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, Pearl, 10k Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Australian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
Vintage and Antique Pearl Jewelry
The pearl has been synonymous with ladylike elegance since the Tudor period — learn what to look for when shopping for vintage and antique pearl jewelry as well as how to tell the origin of a pearl with our handy primer.
Every woman at some point in her life desires a simple strand of pearls. They are elegant, timeless, versatile — just ask Coco Chanel or Jacqueline Kennedy — and valuable. In 1917, Pierre Cartier famously traded a double-strand of natural pearls for a Fifth Avenue mansion, the Cartier brand’s flagship store ever since. And if you were born in the beginning of summer, pearl is the June birthstone.
It is possible to tell where a pearl originated from its appearance. Akoyas are usually round and white — the classic pearl, if you will. South Sea pearls are normally larger and vary in color; orangey yellow ones are not uncommon. Tahitian pearls are mostly black but can also be gray or brown, and between the Akoya and the South Sea varieties in size. Freshwater pearls, or Orientals, run the gamut in terms of color and size, but in shape, they tend to resemble Rice Krispies. Another important distinction is a round pearl versus a baroque pearl. A round pearl is self-explanatory, but there are two types of baroque pearls: symmetrical and asymmetrical. In general, the symmetrical variation commands a higher valuation. Within a strand of pearls, uniformity is prized — the more the individual pearls resemble one another, the more valuable the strand.
According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the earliest recorded mention of a pearl was in 2206 BC by a Chinese historian. Centuries later, Christopher Columbus made it a point to visit pearl fisheries during his 15th-century exploration of the Caribbean. Since the late-19th century, the Japanese have been at the forefront of cultivating pearls, when jeweler Kokichi Mikimoto successfully cultured the world’s first pearl in 1893.
On 1stDibs, find vintage and antique pearl necklaces, pearl earrings and other accessories.