Large Pearl Ring
20th Century Fashion Rings
Garnet, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Fashion Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Japanese Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Late 20th Century European Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Japanese Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
2010s Japanese Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
1990s Modern Engagement Rings
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Fashion Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Modern Engagement Rings
Pearl, Gold, Platinum
Early 2000s Fashion Rings
14k Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Cluster Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Modern Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Cluster Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Cocktail Rings
Quartz, Pearl, Hematite, Crystal, Sterling Silver
20th Century North American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Solitaire Rings
14k Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Cluster Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Cluster Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Cluster Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Cluster Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Pearl, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Cluster Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Go...
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Cluster Rings
Pearl, Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Cluster Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s European Fashion Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cluster Rings
Amethyst, Jade, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
Indonesian Cocktail Rings
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
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Large Pearl Ring For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Large Pearl Ring?
The Legacy of Pearl in Jewelry Design
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.
Finding the Right Rings for You
Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.
No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.
Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.
Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry.
The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.
Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Yes, pearls are good for engagement rings. Pearls symbolize loyalty, integrity, generosity, and purity which makes them a fitting choice for an engagement. However, pearls have a hardness of 2.5-3 on the Mohs scale, meaning they are easily scratched and not ideal for everyday wear.
- How long does a pearl ring last?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022How long a pearl ring lasts depends on how well you care for it. Protecting your ring from chemicals and taking it off before you perform tasks like house cleaning can help to extend its life. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of pearl rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023What pearls symbolize in a wedding ring is a matter of personal opinion. Some people associate pearls with sincerity, so a wedding ring that features them may mean a person takes their vows seriously. Others believe pearls are a symbol of purity and innocence. Pearls may also represent being loyal to one's spouse or promising to live harmoniously with them. On 1stDibs, find a collection of pearl wedding rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The white pearl is a symbol of new beginnings, purity and innocence, making this natural gem ideal for bridal jewelry. While a pearl isn’t suited to an engagement ring because of its softness, it makes for a lovely cocktail ring, necklace or earrings. Shop a collection of authentic white pearl jewelry from some of the world's top boutiques on 1stDibs.
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Colorful Gemstones Are a Brilliant Choice for Engagement Rings
If diamonds don’t seem right, what about a magnificent sapphire, ruby or emerald?
Our Guide to Fancy-Colored Diamond Engagement Rings
Accounting for just 1 percent of all diamonds, these marvels of nature are exceedingly rare and gorgeously complex.
Our Guide to Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco Engagement Rings
Learn about these antique jewelry styles, then choose a design that speaks to you.