Paspaley 18ct White Gold Kechi Pearl Necklace 9.3g
By Paspaley
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
A Paspaley Kechi Pearl Necklace, made of 18ct White Gold.
21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
Paspaley 18ct White Gold Kechi Pearl Necklace 9.3g
By Paspaley
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
A Paspaley Kechi Pearl Necklace, made of 18ct White Gold.
Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
Paspaley 18ct Yellow Gold Eternity Pearl & Diamond Necklace 2.05ct 57.5g
By Paspaley
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
An exquisite Paspaley Eternity necklace crafted in 18ct yellow gold, featuring seven lustrous oval Australian South Sea pearls complemented by an intricate diamond-set design.
South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Michael Kneebone Kunzite Paspaley South Seas Pearl Pendant
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
The pearl comes with a Paspaley certificate. PLEASE NOTE: The cable necklace shown is for display purposes only and not included with the purchase.
Kunzite, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Michael Kneebone Kunzite Paspaley South Seas Pearl Pendant
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
The pearl comes with a Paspaley certificate. PLEASE NOTE: The cable necklace shown is for display purposes only and not included with the purchase.
Kunzite, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Michael Kneebone Asscher Cut Moissanite Paspaley South Seas Pearl Pendant
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
A baroque South Seas pearl is paired with an Asscher cut Moissanite in this elegant and versatile pendant. The pearl (origin: Australia) is bright white, blemish free and possesses ...
Pearl, 10k Gold, 14k Gold
Paspaley 18ct Yellow Gold Pearl Necklace 73.3g
By Paspaley
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
A Paspaley Pearl Necklace, made of 18ct Yellow Gold.
South Sea Pearl, Yellow Gold
Paspaley Lavalier Pearl Necklace
By Paspaley
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
Accompanied by: This Paspaley Pearl Necklace is accompanied by Valuation Certificate Number AV 00003599 and a Paspaley pouch.
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Paspaley Lavalier Pearl Necklace
By Paspaley
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
Accompanied by: This Paspaley Pearl Necklace is accompanied by Certificate of Authenticity Number H13Q01PC15 dated 19/12/2018 the Original Paspaley Box.
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Paspaley 18ct Yellow Gold South Sea Pearl Necklace 13.1g
By Paspaley
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
A Paspaley South Sea Pearl Necklace, made of 18ct Yellow Gold.
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Paspaley 18ct White Gold Tahitian Pear & Diamond Necklace 0.25ct
By Paspaley
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
A Paspaley Tahitian Pearl Necklace, made of 18ct White Gold.
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
Paspaley 18ct Yellow Gold Lavalier Australian South Sea Pearl Necklace 15mm 12.6
By Paspaley
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
Accompanied by: This Paspaley Pearl Necklace is accompanied by the original Paspaley grey outer box and Paspaley yellow presentation box.
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Paspaley 18ct Yellow Gold Lavalier Necklace with 13mm Circle Pearl
By Paspaley
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
An authentic Paspaley 18ct yellow gold Lavalier necklace, featuring a loose 13 mm Australian South Sea circle pearl delicately encased in a fine 18ct yellow gold mesh net.
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Paspaley 18ct White Gold South Sea Pearl & Sapphire Lavalier Pendant 13.62g
By Paspaley
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
Accompanied by: This Paspaley Pearl Necklace is accompanied by Paspaley Authentication Certificate, Valuation Report #37722 dated 29/01/2026, Paspaley inner and outer box, pouch and ...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Paspaley South Sea Pearl Dive Rope Pendant with 9ct Yellow Gold Chain 6.32g
By Paspaley
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
Accompanied by: This Paspaley Pearl Necklace is accompanied by Paspaley Certificate of Authenticity dated 1/12/2022, along with all original Paspaley packaging
South Sea Pearl, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
Michael Kneebone Paspaley South Seas Pearl White Sapphire Omega Necklace
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
A 15mm, gem quality Paspaley South Seas pearl is paired with a radiant cut silver sapphire in this classic and readily wearable pendant.
South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Michael Kneebone Paspaley South Seas Pearl White Sapphire Omega Necklace
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
A 15mm, gem quality Paspaley South Seas pearl is paired with a radiant cut silver sapphire in this classic and readily wearable pendant.
South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Michael Kneebone Paspaley South Seas Pearl "Silver Sapphire" Pendant Necklace
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
This uncomplicated and stylish pendant necklace is composed of a 10mm round silver sapphire and a 17mm gem quality, oval shaped Paspaley South Seas pearl.
South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Michael Kneebone Paspaley South Seas Pearl White Sapphire Omega Necklace
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
A 15mm, gem quality Paspaley South Seas pearl is paired with a radiant cut silver sapphire in this classic and readily wearable pendant.
South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Michael Kneebone Emerald Paspaley South Seas Pearl Pendant
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
A square cut emerald of 6.41 carats is paired with a 15.5 millimeter, gem quality Paspaley South Seas pearl in this uncomplicated and elegant pendant.
Emerald, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Michael Kneebone Pink Sapphire Paspaley South Seas Pearl Pendant
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
A princess cut sapphire in a brilliant "Bazooka Bubble Gum" pink is complimented by a 14mm, gem quality Paspaley South Seas pearl in this classically simple pendant.
South Sea Pearl, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold
Michael Kneebone Paspaley South Seas Pearl "Silver Sapphire" Pendant
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
This uncomplicated and stylish pendant is composed of a 12 x 10mm oval cut silver sapphire and a 15.5mm gem quality Paspaley South Seas pearl. The colorless sapphire is bezel set in...
South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Paspaley South Sea Pearl Diamond Yellow And White Gold Chain Pendant
Located in Austin, TX
A gem quality, pear shaped Paspaley South Seas pearl is mounted in a two tone 18k gold and diamond embellished setting. The drop hangs from a 34 inch, two tone 18k gold beaded chain.
Oriental Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Paspaley Pearl Triangular South Sea Pearl Necklace
By Paspaley
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
Paspaley Pearl Triangular South Sea Pearl Necklace 12-14mm, 34 pieces with 28.65 momme and one white diamond pearl clasp 0.06 carat
South Sea Pearl
Michael Kneebone Pink Tourmaline Paspaley South Seas Pearl Pendant
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
The pearl comes with a Paspaley certificate of authenticity.
South Sea Pearl, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Michael Kneebone Paspaley South Seas White Sapphire Pendant
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
Paspaley is the largest cultivator of South Seas pearls in Australia.
South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Akoya Pearl Necklace 14 Karat Yellow Gold 7.5 mm Certified
By Enrico Kassini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fine Quality Akoya Pearl Necklace 14k Yellow Gold 16" 7.5 mm Certified $2,950 110696 This is one of Kind Unique Custom Made Glamorous Piece of Jewelry! Nothing says, “I Love you” mo...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Akoya Pearl Necklace 14k White Gold Certified
By Enrico Kassini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fine Quality 7.5 nm Japanese Akoya Pearl 16 inch Necklace with a 14k Yellow Gold clasp Certified $2,950 110696 This is one of Kind Unique Custom Made Glamorous Piece of Jewelry!...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Akoya Pearl Necklace 14k Yellow Gold Certified
By Enrico Kassini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fine Quality Akoya Pearl Necklace 14k Yellow Gold 16" 8 mm Certified $3,590 113102 This is a Unique Custom Made Glamorous Piece of Jewelry Nothing says, “I Love you” more than Diamo...
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Pearl Y Necklace 20" #25661
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14K Yellow Gold Pearl Y Necklace - Elegant and timeless, this 14K yellow gold pearl necklace pairs the warm glow of gold with the classic beauty of a lustrous pearl. Perfect for eve...
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,800Sale Price / item|21% Off
Pink Sapphire Diamond South Sea Pearl Pendant Necklace 2.19 Carat 18K Rose Gold
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18K Rose Gold pendant necklace featuring one Pink Freshwater pearl measuring 13-14 mm flanked with pink sapphires weighing 1.97 carats and 36 round brilliants weighing 0.22 carats.
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Pink Sapphire, Rose Gold
South Sea Pearl Sliding Necklace 18 Karat White Gold
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18K White gold slider necklace featuring three South Sea Pearls measuring 11-13 mm. Great for stacking layers! Pearls can be changed to Tahitian, Pink or Golden upon request. Price ...
South Sea Pearl, White Gold
Diamond South Sea Pearl Necklace 14k Gold Italy Certified
By Enrico Kassini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fine Quality South Sea Pearl Diamond Necklace 12.77 mm 14k Gold Italy Certified $1,290 816015 This is a Unique Custom Made Glamorous Piece of Jewelry! Nothing says, “I Love you” mo...
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14k Yellow Gold and Diamond Clasp Semi-Baroque Pearl Strand Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This vintage pearl necklace has character — each semi-baroque pearl is unique, with natural shapes that catch the light beautifully. The warm 14k yellow gold setting feels classic, a...
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,880 / item
H 1.42 in W 0.54 in L 16.93 in
Baroque 13mm South Sea Pearl in 18K Gold Fob Pendant with Rhodolite Necklace
By Eytan Brandes
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
This lustrous white South Sea baroque pearl is set in a Byzantine-flavored, satiny 18 karat yellow gold two-part pedant handmade in our shop by Eytan Brandes. The pearl has a gr...
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Garnet, Rhodolite, Gold, 18k Gol...
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Pearl and Diamond Rondelle Bead Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This vintage necklace pairs the warm tone of 18K yellow gold with lustrous pearls, accented by diamond rondelle beads that add subtle brilliance throughout the design. The combinatio...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti 18k Gold 36" Long 14 Pearl Station Necklace Chain
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Montclair, NJ
–Stone(s)– (14) Genuine Cultured Pearls -Round Shape - White - Excellent Luster - 6.9mm each (approx.) Material: Solid 18k Yellow Gold Weight: 11.34 Grams Chain Type: Rare long 36” ...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Double Pearl Strand Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This vintage necklace features two elegant strands of luminous pearls, creating a classic and refined look that never goes out of style. The pearls display soft luster and even color...
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold Peter Brown Pearl and Gold Link Necklace
Located in Stamford, CT
14 Karat Yellow Gold 17 inch Peter Brown Pearl And Gold Link Necklace 6.1 grams total weight.
Pearl, 14k Gold
Michael Kneebone Ametrine Citrine Amethyst Diamond Baroque Pearl Necklace
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
A gem quality ametrine forms the nucleus of this extravagant, one-of-a-kind necklace. The ametrine (origin: Bolivia) weighs 72.76 carats and is richly colored in both purple and yel...
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Steven Battelle 1.7 Carats Pink Tourmaline 18K Gold Pendant With 18" 18K Chain
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
A lively and bright 7 x 10 mm pear shaped faceted Brazilian pink tourmaline is set in a matte-finish 18K bezel with a "triple jawan" accent below and 4 small "jawan" granulation on ...
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Akoya Pearl Diamond 2-Strand Gold Necklace 7.5 mm 19.25" Certified
By Enrico Kassini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fine Quality Akoya Pearl Diamond Double Strand Gold Necklace 7.5 mm 19.25" Certified $9,975 210643 This is a Unique Custom Made Glamorous Piece of Jewelry Nothing says, “I Love you...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
GIA-Certified Diamond & Mother of Pearl Pendant, Georgian
Located in Northampton, MA
Dating from around the 1830s, this magnificent Georgian pendant features a silver-over-gold "bow" set with 13 beautiful old rose-cut diamonds that total at least 1 carat. From this s...
Diamond, Pearl, Silver
Edwardian Peridot Old Mine Diamond Pearl Festoon Swag Necklace Antique Gold
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS A STUNNING VICTORIAN - ART NOUVEAU - BELLE EPOQUE FESTOON NECKLACE WITH THE MOST GORGEOUS NATURAL ROUND FACETED PERIDOT GEMS SET WITH PEARLS AND AN OLD MINE DIAMOND IN A GORG...
Pearl, Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
7.55 Carat Peach Tourmaline Emerald Cut Platinum Diamond Ring By Merkaba
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A 7.55 carat peach tourmaline emerald cut platinum diamond ring, handcrafted by Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills as a romantic collector jewel and meaningful alternative engagement ring...
Diamond, Tourmaline, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Regency Aquamarine Necklace with Old Mine Diamonds, circa 1815–1820
Located in Northampton, MA
This ravishing antique aquamarine necklace, dating to the Regency period (circa 1815–1820), is a crowning jewel of the era and a tour de force of early 19th-century jewelry design. A...
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage Aquamarine Diamond White Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This elegant cocktail ring has been set with a rectangular aquamarin in stepcut. It is mounted in a 14 kt whitegold shank . The ring shoulders have been set with small diamonds. The ...
Aquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Tiffany & Co Victoria Diamond Aquamarine Platinum Pendant Necklace
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Southampton, PA
Platinum Victoria Diamond and Aquamarine Pendant Necklace by Tiffany & Co. With 4 diamonds VS1 clarity, G color total weight approximately .64ct 1 round 7mm aquamarine approximately...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
Worn in Sex and The City 2, Iconic John Galliano Christian Dior Newsprint Dress
By John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in New York, NY
Being offered is the Iconic John Galliano for Christian Dior Autumn/Winter 2000-2001 Newsprint Dress WORN by Sarah Jessica Parker and lent by Vintage Luxury N.Y. for Sex and the Cit...
Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond Dragonfly Brooch
By Fred Leighton
Located in New Orleans, LA
Enveloped in a sea of 60.26 carats of fancy vivid yellow diamonds is this tour de force of jewelry craftsmanship from the collaboration of jewelry legends Fred Leighton and Carvin Fr...
Yellow Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA 17.91 Carat Old Cushion Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring in Platinum
Located in La Jolla, CA
GIA certified 17.91 carat Old Cushion Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring in Platinum Old Cushion Diamond Ring features a Center Cushion Brilliant Cut Diamond with beautiful vintage carving ...
Diamond, Platinum
5.70 Carat Untreated Burma Ruby Bypass Ring
Located in New Orleans, LA
The exquisite 5.70-carat ruby and 4.54-carat diamond showcased in this bypass ring create a tantalizing interplay. The pear-shaped crimson gemstone is certified by the American Gemol...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
$2,310Sale Price / item|20% Off
Antique 14K Yellow Gold Clustered Emeralds and Diamond Cocktail Ring for Her
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Emerald ring in 14K Gold which perfectly goes with your personality and also helps you to improve your creativity. Designed with emeralds and diamonds that makes it a perfect fit to ...
Emerald, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Renaissance Cameo Pendant
Located in New Orleans, LA
The cameo at the center of this exceptional pendant is a stunning example of the art of gem engraving during the Renaissance. It likely dates to the early 17th century and features a...
Multi-gemstone, Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique Ring 25ct natural Blue Sapphire solid 18K Gold Ø 4.75 US /9.6gr
Located in SE
Luxurious Antique Ring in Renaissance style, band and crown tested solid 18K Gold,not hallmarked, European, ca. XVIII - early XIX centuries. Huge cabochon of natural Light - Blue Sa...
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Platinum Sapphire Unheated Purple Diamond GIA Ring Antique Old Mine 17.37 CTS!
Located in Sylvania, GA
Old South Jewels proudly presents... BEST OF THE BEST... GIA BREATHTAKING PLATINUM HUGE 17.37 CARAT UNHEATED PURPLE SAPPHIRE DIAMOND VINTAGE RING & BOX! GIANT 13.51 CARAT REGAL PUR...
Diamond, Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$2,880Sale Price|31% Off
W 0.44 in L 3.19 in
Michael Kneebone Multi-Gemstone Paspaley South Seas Pearl Dangle Earrings
By Michael Kneebone
Located in Austin, TX
Offered are these one-of-a-kind dangle earrings consisting of pear shaped peridot, oval shaped amethyst, trillion cut blue topaz and emerald cut citrine. The earrings begin and end ...
Amethyst, Citrine, Pearl, Peridot, Topaz, Multi-gemstone, South Sea Pear...
Important Old Mine Cut Heart Locket Pendant and Diamond Necklace, Certified
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A piece of history. This very important necklace we bought from a major auction house over 15 years ago. We sold the original old mine cut necklace but the locket / pendant part is 1...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
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.
We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners. Today, Van Cleef necklaces, Tiffany necklaces and Cartier necklaces are some of the most popularly searched designer necklaces on 1stDibs.
Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers.
In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs.
For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone.
Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage David Webb necklaces — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Dior, Chanel and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.
If jewelry could talk, we know this piece would have good stories.
Emblems of heartfelt emotion, elegant vessels for photos and keepsakes and perfect for layering, these special ornaments are an essential component of any thoughtfully curated jewelry collection.
With more than 100 carats of diamonds, this vintage stunner converts into different styles, making it as versatile as it is breathtaking.
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
Organic shapes, surprising textures, shimmering colors and inventive embellishments take the new generation of pearl jewelry from classic to cutting-edge.
Soak up the pleasures of the season with a these bold gems.
Learn more about the stylish links that have passed the test of time.
After more than a decade creating the iconic Lanvin gems of the Alber Elbaz years, designer Elie Top dove into the world of fine jewelry, mixing silver and gold to create his own striking, timeless look.