On 1stDibs, there are many options to choose from in our inventory of 22 mm pearls. All of the items for sale were constructed with extraordinary care, often using
gold,
18k gold and
yellow gold. Our selection of items includes 387 vintage examples as well as 505 contemporary versions. Our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and pieces in stock date back to the 19th Century while others were produced as recently as the 21st Century. Pieces in our collection of 22 mm pearls made by
contemporary jewelers — as well as those associated with
modern — are very popular. There have been many well-made iterations of these items over the years, but those made by
Alex Jona,
Mattioli and
Meghna Jewels are often thought to be among the most beautiful. While most can agree that any pick from our collection easily elevates most outfits, but the choice of
diamond versions from the 425 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. A selection of
round cut,
mixed cut and
brilliant cut can be found today on these pages. Most of our 22 mm pearls for sale are for
women, but there are 266 pieces available to browse for
men.
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.