Find the exact piece of estate pearl jewelry you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from
Gold,
18k Gold and
Yellow Gold — can elevate any look. Our collection of these items for sale includes 250 vintage editions and 106 modern creations to choose from as well. Finding the perfect item from our selection of estate pearl jewelry may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 19th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. As it relates to this specific piece, our collection includes designs that are universally popular, but
.5 Carat and
1 Carat carat weights, specifically, are sought with frequency. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic choice in our collection of estate pearl jewelry over the years, but those made by
Mikimoto,
Five Star Jewelry and
Coach House are often thought to be among the most beautiful. A
round cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also
mixed cut and
oval cut versions for sale. If you’re browsing our inventory for an object in our assortment of estate pearl jewelry, you’ll find that many are available today for
women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and
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.