There is a broad range of large freshwater baroque pearls for sale on 1stDibs. All of the items for sale were constructed with extraordinary care, often using
gold,
silver and
sterling silver. Find a collection of 23 vintage versions or 139 modern creations for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Our inventory has long been popular, and it includes earlier versions that date to the 19th Century and newer variations that were made as recently as the 21st Century. The designs in our inventory of large freshwater baroque pearls bearing
contemporary or
modern hallmarks are very popular. There have been many well-made iterations of these items over the years, but those made by
Elaine Silverstein,
Bijoux Num and
Decadent Jewels are often thought to be among the most beautiful. A selection of
uncut,
round cut and
bead can be found today on these pages. If you’re browsing the variety of large freshwater baroque pearls for sale, you’ll find that many are available today for
women, but there are still pieces to choose from 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.