Mikimoto Graduated Pearls
Vintage 1980s American Retro Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s Chain Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
2010s Chain Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, White Gold
Recent Sales
Mid-20th Century Modern Brooches
Cultured Pearl
Mid-20th Century Unknown Artisan Necklace Enhancers
Cultured Pearl, Silver
Vintage 1950s Japanese Retro Beaded Necklaces
Pearl
2010s Japanese Modern More Necklaces
White Diamond, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 9k Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century Japanese Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
1990s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Multi-Strand Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Japanese More Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Multi-Strand Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1930s Japanese Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
Mid-20th Century Japanese Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century Japanese Edwardian Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Japanese More Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Japanese Retro Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Beaded Bracelets
Black Pearl, White Gold
Vintage 1950s More Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Silver
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Pearl
Early 2000s French Evening Gowns
2010s Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
Mid-20th Century Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Gold
2010s Beaded Necklaces
1990s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Link Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Mikimoto Graduated Pearls For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Mikimoto Graduated Pearls?
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.