Pearl Jewelry
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 9k Gold
20th Century Thai Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Pearl, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
1910s Swedish Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Green Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
Early 20th Century European Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century European Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Other, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Russian Empire Antique Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Modern Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Kyanite, 9k Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century British Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Peridot, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Carnelian, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
1950s American Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Carnelian, Coral, Jade, Natural Pearl, Gilt Metal
1950s European Artist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Vermeil
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, G...
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold-filled, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Turkish Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Turquoise, Cultured Pearl, Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century Belgian Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Revival Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Mixed Metal
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1920s European Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1880s American Late Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Thai Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Mixed Metal
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Tourmaline, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Regency Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Natural Pearl, Gold-filled
Mid-20th Century English Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Thai Baroque Revival Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s Indian Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold, Platinum, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 9k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
20th Century Unknown Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage and Antique Pearl Jewelry
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.