Unavailable|$1,867
South Sea Pearl Necklace, Round, White Color
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls, from ocean waters. - Size of Pearls 10-13 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural white a...
South Sea Pearl
Unavailable|$2,100
Golden South Sea Pearls Necklace, Round
Located in Cordoba, ES
A South Sea Pearls necklace - Size of Pearls 10-13 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - NaturalColor Golden Pearls - High Na...
South Sea Pearl
Unavailable|$606
South Sea Pearl Necklace Golden Color, Diamonds and 14 Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
Natural Color South Sea Pearl Pendant - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Produced by Pinctada Maxima Oyster - 14 karats Yellow Gold mounting Filigree design - Round Diamond 0.7...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl
Unavailable|$1,634
South Sea Pearls Necklace White Color
Located in Cordoba, ES
A South Sea Pearls necklace - Size of Pearls 10x8 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural Color Graduation Golden to Whit...
South Sea Pearl
Unavailable|$910
Natural Colors South Sea Pearl Choker Necklace Round Shape
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls necklace - Size of Pearls 8-11 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural Golden and White Co...
South Sea Pearl
Unavailable|$186 / item
South Sea Pearls Bracelet, White Color, High Luster, AAA
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls Bracelet. - Size of Pearls 9-10 mm of diameter, - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Australia ocean waters - Natural Color white pe...
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$128 / item
South Sea Pearls Earrings, White Silver Natural Color, High Luster
Located in Cordoba, ES
. - Size of Pearls 9-10 mm in diameter - Pearls of Near Round or Semi-round shape - Very High natural luster and orient pearls - Pearls of natural White Color with silver overton...
South Sea Pearl, Silver
Unavailable|$2,567
Golden Natural Color South Sea Pearls Round, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls necklace - Size of Pearls 10-14 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural White Color pearls...
South Sea Pearl, Gold
Unavailable|$490
White South Sea Pearl Round, Diamonds, 18 Karat Gold Pendant
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearl Pendant Necklace - Size of Pearl 13 mm mm of diameter - Pearl from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural White Color p...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold
Unavailable|$735
South Sea Pearls Earrings Top Quality, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
- Natural Color South Sea Pearls earrings - Origin: Australian ocean waters - Produced by Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Top Quality Pearls - 18K Yellow Gold mounting - Size of Pearls...
18k Gold
South Sea Pearls Bracelet, Natural Color and Luster, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls Bracelet. - Size of Pearls 10-11 mm of diameter, - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural Color golden ...
South Sea Pearl, Gold
Unavailable|$4,201
Unique Natural Champagne Color South Sea Pearl Necklace
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls necklace - Size of Pearls 12-14 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural Golden Champagne C...
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Pistacho Golden Natural Color and High Luster South Sea Pearl Strand Choker
Located in Cordoba, ES
Beautiful Natural Color South Sea Pearls from Indonesia ocean waters. - Size of Pearls 9-14 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters -...
South Sea Pearl
Unavailable|$1,984
Natural Golden Color South Sea Pearls
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls necklace - Size of Pearls 9-10 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural Deep Golden Color ...
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$2,217
Deep Golden South Sea Pearls Natural Color and Luster, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls necklace - Size of Pearls 10-13 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural Golden Color pearl...
South Sea Pearl, Gold
Golden South Sea Pearl Round Shape 12.5-15 mm Natural Color, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls necklace - Size of Pearls 12.5-15mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural Golden Color pe...
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$1,634
Beautiful Golden South Sea Pearl Necklace 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls necklace - Size of Pearls 10-13 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural Color Golden pea...
South Sea Pearl, Gold
Beautiful Natural Colors South Sea Pearls Necklace Round Shape and High Luster
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls necklace - Size of Pearls 11-14 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural Golden and White C...
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$2,124
South Sea Pearl Deep Golden Natural Color Round Shape
Located in Cordoba, ES
. - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural Color Deep Golden - High Natural luster and orient - Pearls of Round shape - Number of pearls...
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$455
Golden South Sea Pearl Pendant 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
- Natural Color South Sea Pearl Pendant - Origin: Australian ocean waters - Produced by Pinctada Maxima Oyster - 18 karats Yellow Gold mounting - 40 cm long chain manufactured i...
18k Gold
Unavailable|$583
18 Karat Gold Golden Natural Color South Sea Pearls Earrings
Located in Cordoba, ES
- Natural Color South Sea Pearls earrings - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Produced by Pinctada Maxima Oyster - 18K Yellow Gold mounting - Size of Pearls 12 mm of diameter - ...
Unavailable|$2,112
South Sea Pearl Necklace of Natural Colors Golden and White
Located in Cordoba, ES
. - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural Color Gold and Light Silver pearls - High Natural luster and orient - Pearls of Round shape - ...
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$373
South Sea Pearl Earrings, Natural Color, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
- Natural Color South Sea Pearl Pendant - Origin: Australian ocean waters - Produced by Pinctada Maxima Oyster - 18 karats Yellow Gold mounting - 40 cm long chain manufactured i...
18k Gold
Unavailable|$630
South Sea Pearl, Golden Color, Diamonds, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearl Pendant necklace - Size of Pearl 13 mm mm of diameter - Pearl from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural Golden Colo...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold
Unavailable|$630
South Sea Pearl, White Color, Diamonds, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearl Pendant necklace - Size of Pearl 13 mm mm of diameter - Pearl from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural White Color p...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold
Unavailable|$4,435
Fine Quality Choker White South Sea Pearl Necklace, Round, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls Choker necklace - Size of Pearls 11-12 mm of diameter, - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural White Co...
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$4,201
South Sea Pearls, High Quality Pearls, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Necklace Natural Color South Sea Pearls, from Australia ocean waters. - High-Quality Pearls - Size of Pearls 11-16 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin...
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
South Sea Pearl Pendant Round, 18 Karat Gold, White Pink Natural Color
Located in Cordoba, ES
- Natural Color South Sea Pearl Pendant - Origin: Australian ocean waters - Produced by Pinctada Maxima Oyster - 18 karats Yellow Gold mounting - 40 cm long chain manufactured i...
18k Gold
Unavailable|$303
South Sea Pearls White-Silver Natural Color, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls Bracelet. - Size of Pearls 9-10 mm of diameter, - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Australia ocean waters - Natural Color white pe...
Unavailable|$1,517
Golden South Sea Pearls Necklace, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
Natural Color South Sea Pearls, from Indonesia ocean waters. - Size of Pearls 10-11 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural...
Pearl, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$1,283
South Sea Pearls Natural Color and High Luster, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls necklace - Size of Pearls 9-12 mm of diameter, - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Australia ocean waters - Natural Color pearls - V...
South Sea Pearl, Gold
Unavailable|$1,867
Golden Color South Sea Pearls, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
Natural Color South Sea Pearls, from Indonesia ocean waters. - Size of Pearls 10-11 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural...
Pearl, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$4,785
Deep Golden Color South Sea Pearl Necklace, Round, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
This color is also known as "Imperial Gold". - Size of Pearls 11-13 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural Deep Golden Co...
Pearl, 18k Gold
French Natural Pearls & 3.00 Carat Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Pendant Necklace
Located in Antwerp, BE
Its intricate craftsmanship radiates from the central natural orient pearl over alternating halos of 96 brilliant and rose cut diamonds and platinum brocade to the delicate gleam of ...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Deep Golden Natural Color South Sea Pearls Necklace, Round, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
This color is also known as "Imperial Gold". - Size of Pearls 11-13 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural Deep Golden C...
Pearl, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$1,867
South Sea Pearls Necklace, Deep Gold Natural Color, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
. - Size of Pearls 10-12 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural deep golden color and overtones - High natural luster ...
18k Gold
Unavailable|$1,984
South Sea Pearls Natural Colors
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls, from ocean waters. - Size of Pearls 10-12 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural multico...
Unavailable|$1,867
South Sea Pearls, Deep Golden Natural Color, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A beautiful Natural Color South Sea Pearls, Golden color from Indonesia ocean waters. - Size of Pearls 10-12 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indone...
18k Gold
Unavailable|$2,801
South Sea Pearls Natural Color, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls, from ocean waters. - Size of Pearls 11-14 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters - Natural multico...
Unavailable|$2,801
South Sea Pearl Necklace, Natural Color, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Necklace Natural Color South Sea Pearls, from Indonesia ocean waters. - Size of Pearls 11-14 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters...
18k Gold
Unavailable|$1,517
South Sea Pearl Necklace, Natural Color, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Necklace Natural Color South Sea Pearls, from Indonesia ocean waters. - Size of Pearls 11-14 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters...
18k Gold
Unavailable|$1,785
South Sea Pearls Necklace, Round, White Color, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Necklace Natural Color South Sea Pearls, from Indonesia ocean waters. - Size of Pearls 11-13 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origin: Indonesia ocean waters...
18k Gold
Unavailable|$186
Tahiti Pearl Ring Round, Natural Color and Orient
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Ring of a beautiful Dark Color Tahiti Pearl and manufactured in Silver 925 mls. - Size of Pearl 11 mm - Shape: Round - Origin of Pearl: Pinctada Margaretifera Oyster - Area: Ta...
Pearl
Unavailable|$1,400
South Sea Pearl White Natural Color, Very High Luster and Orient
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Colors South Sea Pearls Necklace Origin, the Pinctada Maxima Oyster, and Australian Ocean Waters - 45 pcs pearls in the necklace - Size of Pearls from 9-14 mm - Nat...
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$1,695
Erte Authentic Hand Signed and Numbered Color Serigraph "Pearl of the Orient", P
By Erté
Located in Bloomington, MN
Erte Authentic Hand Signed and Numbered Color Serigraph "Pearl of the Orient", Professionally Custom Framed and listed with the Submit Best Offer option Accepting Offers Now: Up fo...
Screen
Unavailable|$968
South Sea Pearl Necklace and Golden Pearl Pendant, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color South Sea Pearls Necklace - Size of Pearls 8-10 mm of diameter necklace - Pendant Drop Shape of large size 12x14 mm - Pearls from Pinctada Maxima Oyster - Origi...
South Sea Pearl, Gold
Unavailable|$39,000
Antique Natural Pearl Diamond Necklace
Located in Mt. Kisco, NY
The pearls are semi-baroque & baroque shaped with a white body color and an overtone of Orient.
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$7,414
Baroque Cultured Freshwater Pearl Diamond and White Gold Pendant
By Yael Designs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Garlands and tendrils of diamond ribbons wrap around an undulating cultured freshwater pearl with exceptional luster. The brilliant sparkle of the diamonds contrasts with the delicat...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl
Antique 5-string Pearl Bracelet with Rose Cut Diamond Closure and Real Big Pearl
Located in Antwerp, BE
Precious stones: One pearl (most probably real natural orient saltwater) Five strings of pearls Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and pearl for June.
Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silve...
Unavailable|$210 / item
Tahiti Pearl AAA Round Bangle for Woman
Located in Cordoba, ES
Origin: Pinctada Margaretifera Oyster and South Seas Ocean Water 18 cm long bracelet (Inside 5 cm) Pearl size 9 mm in diameter Natural White Color Pearls Pearls of Round Shape ...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Unavailable|$1,400
Tahiti Pearls Strand AAA Natural Color and Luster
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Natural Color Tahiti Pearls Strand - Size of Pearls 10-11 mm of diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Margaretifera Oyster - Origin: Frech Polynesia (Tahiti) ocean waters - Natural C...
Pearl
Unavailable|$128 / item
Japanese Akoya Cultured Pearls 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
- Japanse Akoya Cultured Pearls - Country of origin: Japan Sea waters - Produced by Akoya Oyster - Size 8-8.5 mm of diameter - Very High-Quality luster and orient - White Colo...
Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold
Baroque Cultured Freshwater Pearl Diamond and White Gold Asymmetric Earrings
By Yael Designs
Located in San Francisco, CA
Spirals of brilliant diamonds contrast with the soft luster and extraordinary orient of the pearls. Baroque Cultured Freshwater Pearls: 9.80 grams, Total Weight Round Brilliant-Cut ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$1,750
Tahiti Pearls Natural Color, Round Shape, 18 Karat Gold
Located in Cordoba, ES
. - Origin of Pearls: Tahiti French Polynesia - Pearls of Natural color - Natural orient and luster - Size of pearls 11-13 mm of diameter - Pearls of Round shape - The necklac...
Pearl, 18k Gold
Unavailable|$1,517
Tahiti Pearls Fine Quality, Round, Natural Color and High Luster
Located in Cordoba, ES
Black Pearl Necklace - A Natural Color Tahiti Pearls Necklace Precious Black Pearl Necklace - Tahiti Pearls - Size of Pearls 11-12 mm in diameter - Pearls from Pinctada Margareti...
Pearl, 18k Gold
Sylvia Gottwald, Extra , Golden Mother of Pearl Neck/Pendant , Gilded Chain Mail.
By Sylvia Gottwald
Located in Washington DC, DC
Extraordinary orient on Golden Mother of Pearl Pendant, with 18 carat gold gilded Chain Mail.
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold Plate
Unavailable|$140 / item
Cultured Pearls Necklace of White Color and Hight Luster and Baroque Shapes
Located in Cordoba, ES
A Cultured Pearls Necklace Fresh-Water Pearls and White Color and very high Luster and Orient Baroque natural shape Pearls Hand-knotted necklace with a long rope length of 90 cm...
Cultured Pearl
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
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.