There is a broad range of keshi pearls for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of
Gold,
18k Gold and
Yellow Gold, these items were constructed with great care. Our selection of items includes 44 vintage examples as well as 180 contemporary versions. Our collection, which features older pieces for sale from the 20th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century, has proven very popular over the years.
Contemporary and
Artisan are consistently popular styles when it comes to keshi pearls. Versions of these items have been a part of the life’s work for many jewelers, but those produced by
Valentin Magro,
Gemjunky/M D Designs and
Decadent Jewels are consistently popular. Any of these pieces can lend versatility to your look, but
Pearl versions, from our inventory of 203, are particularly popular. There are many
round cut,
bead and
mixed cut keshi pearls for sale. Most of our keshi pearls for sale are for
women, but there are 63 pieces available to browse for
men.
Prices for keshi pearls can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $140 and can go as high as $55,000, while keshi pearls, on average, fetch $3,250.
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.