Natural Saltwater Pearls
Vintage 1950s Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Bahraini Contemporary Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Bahraini Contemporary Bridal Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Link Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Bahraini Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Unknown Multi-Strand Necklaces
Natural Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Emirian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Retro Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, White Diamond, Platinum, White Gold
Antique Early 1900s Pendant Necklaces
Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Beaded Necklaces
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique 1880s Victorian Bangles
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique 1760s Spanish Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Diamond, Gold, Silver
Antique Mid-19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Bahraini Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 1880s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1950s British Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
Vintage 1950s American Brooches
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Bangles
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold, Silver
Antique Late 17th Century Early Victorian Multi-Strand Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Cluster Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Stud Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Bahraini Modern Bridal Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl
Antique Early 1900s European Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Bahraini Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Stud Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Engagement Rings
Pearl, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Bahraini Art Deco Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Retro Bracelets
Lapis Lazuli, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Oriental Pearl, Platinum
20th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
20th Century American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Antique Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl
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Natural Saltwater Pearls For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Natural Saltwater 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, there are natural pearls left. However, most have been harvested so they are extremely rare. Cultured pearls are still authentic pearls but more readily available. You’ll find a variety of pearl jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Depending on the size and quality, a natural pearl can be worth up to $1,500. In most cases, natural pearls are worth more than cultured pearls.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Paspaley pearls are cultured — that is, the pearl-growing process is initiated by pearl farmers. Paspaley is known today as one of the finest suppliers of cultured pearls in the world. Shop a collection of genuine Paspaley pearl jewelry from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.