On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate loose pearl for your needs in our varied inventory. Frequently made of
gold,
18k gold and
14k gold, this item was constructed with great care. Our collection of these items for sale includes 560 vintage editions and 102 modern creations to choose from as well. Finding the perfect loose pearl may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 18th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. Creating a loose pearl has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by
Berquin,
Michael Barin and
Marina J. are consistently popular. A loose pearl of any era or style can lend versatility to your look, but a version featuring
diamond, from our inventory of 182, is particularly popular. Today, if you’re looking for an
old european cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes
oval cut and
brilliant cut alternatives. If you’re browsing our inventory for a loose pearl, you’ll find that many are available today for
women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and
men.
Prices for a loose pearl can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $1 and can go as high as $200,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $1,450.
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.