19th Century Natural Pearls
Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Brooches
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches
Agate, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III More Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yell...
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Stud Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Silver
Antique 1880s French Napoleon III Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gol...
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Napoleon III Cocktail Rings
Onyx, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 19th Century French Napoleon III Lever-Back Earrings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Lever-Back Earrings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gol...
Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Dangle Earrings
Coral, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 1850s French Napoleon III Engagement Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Natural Pearl, Pearl, Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Brooches
Natural Pearl, Gold, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Chalcedony, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches
Agate, Chalcedony, Natural Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Italian Chandelier Earrings
Natural Pearl, Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Stud Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Brooches
Agate, Chalcedony, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Cluster Rings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Early 19th Century French Georgian Brooches
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold,...
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Dangle Earrings
Natural Pearl, Coral, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold,...
Antique 19th Century More Bracelets
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapph...
Antique 1860s American More Necklaces
Natural Pearl
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cufflinks
Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Silver
Antique 1880s Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
Antique 19th Century Italian Chandelier Earrings
Natural Pearl
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III More Rings
Natural Pearl, Pearl, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Antique 19th Century French Empire Hoop Earrings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Dangle Earrings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Stud Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum, ...
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Lever-Back Earrings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Rose Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Tiger's Eye, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Engagement Rings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Dangle Earrings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow ...
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19th Century Natural Pearls For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are 19th Century Natural Pearls?
Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
The Legacy of Pearl in Jewelry Design
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022British artist John Singer Sargent was one of the most important portrait painters of the 19th century. Other notable portraitists from the period include James Abbott McNeill Whistler, Eugène Delacroix, Théodore Géricault, Gustave Courbet, Édouard Manet, Mary Cassat, Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of portrait paintings.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The French painters of the 19th century worked in two styles. Neoclassicism dominated the first half of the century, and Impressionism was the most common style during the second half. On 1stDibs, you can find a variety of French paintings.