Pearl Jewelry
20th Century Thai Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Peridot, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Carnelian, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
20th Century Thai Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Turkish Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Turquoise, Cultured Pearl, Gilt Metal
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold-filled, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century Thai Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
2010s Unknown Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
1870s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1880s Dutch Early Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, Sapphire, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
1950s Revival Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Mixed Metal
Early 2000s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Natural Pearl, Silver
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1800s Italian Retro Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1950s American Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Carnelian, Coral, Jade, Natural Pearl, Gilt Metal
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century European Antique Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, Gold, Silver
2010s Indian Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 10k Gold, 14k Gold
1880s American Late Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 9k Gold
Early 20th Century Russian Russian Empire Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
1960s American Modernist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Indian Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sterling Silver
1980s French Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold
20th Century Russian Russian Revival Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Thai Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1920s European Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1880s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
19th Century European Romantic Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1830s Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 14k Gold
1840s British Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Turquoise, 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.