There is a broad range of 20 mm pearls for sale on 1stDibs. All of the items for sale were constructed with extraordinary care, often using
Gold,
18k Gold and
14k Gold. Our selection of items includes 23 vintage examples as well as 10 contemporary versions. Our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and pieces in stock date back to the 20th Century while others were produced as recently as the 21st Century. Pieces in our collection of 20 mm pearls made by
Modern jewelers — as well as those associated with
Contemporary — are very popular. Many examples in our inventory of these items are appealing no matter their origins, but
Magnificent Costume Jewelry,
Mikimoto and
Aria Jewelry Design produced popular versions that are worth a look. Browse our collection of 21
Pearl versions today to add the perfect touch to your look. Today, if you’re looking for
round cut 20 mm pearls and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes
uncut and
brilliant cut alternatives. If you’re browsing the variety of 20 mm pearls for sale, you’ll find that many are available today for
women, but there are still pieces to choose from for
men.
Prices for 20 mm pearls can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $387 and can go as high as $78,000, while 20 mm pearls, on average, fetch $1,300.
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.
