Pearl Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold, Silver
2010s British Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Rubelite, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Chalcedony, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Quartz, Sterling Silver
18th Century Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
1980s Contemporary Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century European Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
1860s Unknown Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Belle Époque Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Rhodolite, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Pearl Jewelry
Amber, Citrine, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1910s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s Chinese Artist Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1960s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s American Belle Époque Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
2010s French Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1970s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Chinese Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Pyrite, Stainless Steel
Late 19th Century European Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Artist Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 19th Century English Early Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Black Pearl, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1910s Art Nouveau Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
20th Century British Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl, Gold
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.