Pearl Jewelry
20th Century Thai Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Peridot, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Thai Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Carnelian, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold-filled, Rose Gold
2010s Turkish Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Turquoise, Cultured Pearl, Gilt Metal
1950s American Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Carnelian, Coral, Jade, Natural Pearl, Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Thai Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 9k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Regency Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Peridot, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century English Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Natural Pearl, Silver
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
1990s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century European Antique Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
1880s Dutch Early Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold, Enamel
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Turquoise, Cultured Pearl, 22k Gold
1880s American Late Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 1800s Italian Retro Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sterling Silver
1950s Revival Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
1890s European Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Jade, Pearl, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
1940s American Artisan Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Brass
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver, Platinum, Rhodium
2010s Indian Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Natural Pearl, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 15k Gold
Vintage and Antique Pearl Jewelry
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.