Pearl Jewelry
1970s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Quartz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s European Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s European Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Crystal, Natural Pearl, 22k Gold, Gold Plate, Vermeil, Brass
2010s Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1860s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1970s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1910s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s American Artist Pearl Jewelry
Agate, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s American Artist Pearl Jewelry
Black Opal, Pearl, Opal, 18k Gold
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Turkish Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s French Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Agate, Pearl, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Artist Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Artist Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century French Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1910s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 9k Gold
1890s Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Vermeil, Brass
2010s Italian Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1920s Greek Greek Revival Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Enamel, 18k Gold
1890s Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl
19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Gold
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Turquoise Matrix, 18k Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
1910s European Belle Époque Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
2010s Italian Modern Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Onyx, Pearl, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Spanish Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow 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.