Pearl Jewelry
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
1960s Unknown Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
Early 1900s Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
2010s Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
Mid-20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold...
Early 20th Century English Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 9k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century English Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Oriental Pearl
2010s American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
2010s Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Black Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, Enamel
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Pearl, Blue Topaz, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s European Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Natural Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Peridot, Oriental Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pear...
Early 1900s French Late Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 2000s Unknown Romantic Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Natural Pearl
19th Century French High Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Natural Pearl
2010s American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Dutch Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
2010s British Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k ...
1950s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s French Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Gold Plate
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Rubelite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Tanzanite, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s Unknown Edwardian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
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.