$3,850
W 1.23 in D 0.28 in L 1.42 in
Antique White Gold, Natural Freshwater River Pearl & Diamond Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
) river freshwater pearls in the round in a 10k white gold setting. The brooch finishes with a ribbon
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
14K Yellow Gold Swan Brooch Pin with Freshwater River Pearls
Located in Big Bend, WI
14K yellow gold swan pin with freshwater Mississippi river pearls. The pin measures 1 7/8" by 1 7/8
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Gold & Mississippi River Fresh Water Pearl Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage stickpin. In 14k and 10k karat yellow golds. With a Baroque freshwater river pearl
Pearl, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
PEARL NECKLACE ‘ROPE’ Freshwater pearls from Mexico
Located in Buckingham , Buckinghamshire
works across seasons and wardrobes. Length: 134cm Pearls: Freshwater river pearls, irregular shapes
Freshwater Pearl
$1,500
H 1.38 in W 0.87 in D 0.24 in L 15.99 in
Edwardian Style 14K Gold, Amethyst, & Pearl Festoon Necklace
Located in Philadelphia, PA
with a bezel-set oval-cut amethyst. Supporting 3 drops with freshwater river pearls and briolette-cut
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique Tiffany & Co. Natural Pearl and Diamond Brooch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
salt water beds but also from freshwater beds of American rivers. American freshwater pearls, while
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage Mississippi River Pearl Drop Earrings
Located in Essex, GB
Delightfully unique! This rare pair of fresh water Mississippi river pearls are showcased in a
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Natural River Pearl Flower set Gold Earrings
Located in Litchfield, CT
sunshine. Naturalistic in design and material, each bloom is comprised of especially long river pearl
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold
Art Nouveau River Pearl & Pink Sapphire Pendant in 10K Yellow Gold
Located in Towson, MD
, and one freshwater Mississippi river Pearl. The pendant measures 1.25 inches long and weighs 0.9
Pearl, Pink Sapphire, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Natural Tennesse Pearls and Single Cut Diamond Brooch in Platinum, circa 1930
Located in Miami, FL
A brooch in the shape of an infinity circle featuring natural freshwater Tennessee River pearls
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
18K Yellow Gold Hand Wrought Antique Chain Necklace with Freshwater River Pearls
Located in Big Bend, WI
Antique 18K yellow gold chain necklace featuring freshwater river pearls. The hand made links are
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yogo Sapphire & Natural Pearl Crescent Pendant, Circa 1900
Located in Northampton, MA
inclusions. This Yogo sapphire and natural freshwater river pearl This rare Victorian-era necklace
Natural Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Antique Natural River Pearl and Diamond Ring
Located in Northampton, MA
magnificent ring is as beautiful as it is unusual. Natural (uncultured) freshwater river pearls are rare and
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Edwardian Natural Pearl and Opal Necklace
Located in Northampton, MA
natural freshwater pearls. The natural pearls are freshwater river pearls and have retained their
Opal, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Art Nouveau Natural River Pearl & Diamond Flower Pendant in Platinum
Located in Boston, MA
platinum. Featuring a natural freshwater American river pearl accented by two diamond set flowers and
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Platinum
Natural Tennesse Pearls and Single Cut Diamond Brooch in Platinum, circa 1930
Located in Miami, FL
A brooch in the shape of an infinity circle featuring natural freshwater Tennessee River pearls
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Mississippi River Pearl Diamond Gold Brooch
Located in London, GB
A Mississippi river pearl brooch in the form of a chrysanthemum, set in gold.
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl
Antique Citrine Seed Pearl Mississippi River Pearl Lavaliere Necklace
Located in Dallas, TX
by seed pearls 2 mm. and three pendants of gold chain and American Mississippi River fresh water
Citrine, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold
Mid-Century 18K Gold & Ruby Set Figural Purse Charm or Pendant
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage figural purse charm or pendant. In 18k gold. Bezel-set with 8 round cut rubies. In the form of a purse or lady's handbag that opens with a hinge to the base, a sna...
Ruby, 18k Gold
$495
W 0.44 in D 0.16 in L 2.45 in
Vintage 10K Gold, Sterling Silver, & Diamond Figural Small Sword Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage figural stickpin. In the form of a small sword (épée de cour), the French thrusting sword from which the fencing's epee is derived. With a prong-set round cut diamon...
Diamond, 10k Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage Sapphire Diamond Cat Brooch 18 Karat Yellow White Gold
Located in London, GB
A vintage sapphire and diamond set cat brooch in 18 karat yellow gold and platinum, circa 1960 This charming stylized cat pin brooch is beautifully made. The strands of his fur ar...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Gorgeous Vintage Opal and Diamond Halo Platinum Ring Engagement Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
This Gorgeous Vintage Opal and Diamond Halo Ring certainly has caught my attention! Cause it is AMAZING! Crafted in beautiful Platinum, the design features a wonderful Halo of Diamon...
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
18K Solid Gold Diamond Blue Bird Brooch
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Celebrate mid-century vintage elegance with the 18K Solid Gold Diamond Blue Bird Brooch – a truly one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Crafted from solid yellow gold, this brooch features a ma...
Diamond, Gold
$4,790
W 0.35 in L 16 in
French 1900 Edwardian Natural Pearls Necklace In 18Kt Gold With Diamonds & Ruby
Located in Miami, FL
Edwardian belle époque pearls necklace. Beautiful and very delicate necklace, created in England during the Edwardian belle époque period, back in the 1910. This necklace is made up...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yell...
Antique Victorian Tiara with Diamond Star - c.1890
Located in London, GB
We are exceptionally delighted to offer this spectacular Victorian diamond star tiara made c.1890. The tiara will come in a fully fitted presentation case as photographed. Upon pond...
Diamond, Gold
NWT Christian Dior by John Galliano Origami Dress Runway Fall 2006 Wedding Gown
By Christian Dior, John Galliano
Located in Baar, CH
New with tags, this never-before-worn archival piece has been carefully stored for the past 18 years, preserving its pristine condition. An absolutely stunning and rare masterpiece ...
Siamese Kitty Cat Golden Vintage Brooch Pin
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Delightful! Beautiful Siamese Kitty Cat with attitude Vintage Brooch. Gold tone mounting. Measuring approx. 0.6” h x 1.2” l. Exquisitely detailed, giving a 3D appearance. More...
Gold Plate
Edwardian Pearl and Diamond Brooch/Pendant
Located in London, GB
An Edwardian pearl and diamond brooch on offer at Bentley & Skinner, Jewellers by Royal Appointment to His Majesty King Charles III. The brooch with a diamond-set ribbon bow surmount...
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
18k Yellow Gold & Platinum Diamond & Enamel Butterfly Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Whimsical diamond and enamel butterfly brooch in 18k yellow gold and platinum. Brooch contains 3 enamel colored sections of blue, yellow and orange creating the perfect combination f...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Butterfly Diamond Enamel Gold 18K Pendant convertible Brooch
Located in Geneva, CH
Butterfly Diamond Enamel Gold 18K Pendant convertible Brooch. Wings are movable. Total length: approx. 1.40 centimeters / 0.55 inch. Total width: approx. 3.20 centimeters / 1.26 inc...
Diamond, Gold, Enamel
$4,764Sale Price|48% Off
Opal Gold Ring Polychrome Gem Natural Harlequin Opal Unisex
Located in Berlin, DE
18K yellow gold ring with doublet of a natural black opal on a petrified wood base opal origin - Australia opal measurements - 0.12 х 0.35 х 0.94 in / 3 х 9 х 24 mm ring size - 7 US...
Black Opal, Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Antique Edwardian 18K Yellow Gold Platinum Natural Pearl Toi et Moi Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian 18K Yellow Gold Platinum Natural Pearl Toi et Moi Ring - GIA. This incredible Toi et Moi ring is crafted in 18k yellow gold and platinum top. The ring hol...
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Bochic “Orient” Multi Sapphires & Ruby Brooch Set In 18K Gold & Silver
By Bochic
Located in New York, NY
Bochic “Orient” Multi Sapphires & Ruby Brooch Set In 18K Gold & Silver Natural Red Ruby, Oval shape - 6 carat Multi color Natural Sapphires from Sri Lanka 3 carat White South Sea...
Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire...
$2,550
W 1.03 in L 1.31 in
Vintage 18ct Gold Italy Stamped, 1960s Cabochon Chalcedony & Ruby Cat Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Cat Brooch 18ct Gold Circa 1960s Embrace the charm of vintage elegance with this exquisite 18ct yellow gold brooch, featuring a magnificent cat and its adorable kitten bea...
Chalcedony, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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.