Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Mid-20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, Base Metal
1970s Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
1970s Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Pearl
1960s Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl
1980s American Retro Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Modern Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, Yellow Gold
1940s Vintage Freshwater Pearls
1960s Unknown Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl
1950s American Vintage Freshwater Pearls
1980s American Art Deco Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl
1950s Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White ...
Mid-20th Century American Retro Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Diamond, White Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Coral, Freshwater Pearl
1970s Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Pearl
20th Century Contemporary Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, Yellow Gold
20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s American Art Nouveau Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl
20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Silver
Mid-20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Black Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Modern Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
1940s Art Deco Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Platinum
1960s American Modernist Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Garnet, Freshwater Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold
1950s American Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Silver Plate
20th Century Unknown Retro Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Garnet, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Late 20th Century Unknown Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Artisan Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Marcasite, Onyx, Freshwater Pearl, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl
1990s Unknown Modern Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Natural Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Gold-filled, 24k ...
Late 20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
1980s Unknown Romantic Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1950s American Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Gilt Metal
1950s American Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Silver Plate, Gilt Metal
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Diamond, White Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s American Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Gilt Metal
1950s American Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Gilt Metal
Late 20th Century Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, Metal
1940s American Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Gilt Metal
1990s Italian Art Deco Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Jade, Freshwater Pearl, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Artisan Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
1950s Vintage Freshwater Pearls
Gilt Metal
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Vintage Freshwater Pearls For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Vintage Freshwater Pearls?
The Legacy of Pearl in Jewelry Design
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.
- Are there freshwater pearls?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024Yes, there are freshwater pearls. Certain species of pearl-producing mollusks do live in bodies of freshwater. Among them are Hyriopsis cumingi and Hyriopsis schlegeli. Most freshwater pearls come from the United States and Japan. Shop a diverse assortment of antique, vintage and contemporary pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Are freshwater pearls real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023Yes, freshwater pearls are real. They come from mussels that are naturally found in lakes and rivers. However, it is rare to find naturally occurring pearls of any kind. As a result, most of the freshwater pearls used in jewelry are cultured. The term refers to pearls created by freshwater-dwelling mussels with the assistance of human intervention. Pearls produced with this process are real, but they are not natural. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of pearl jewelry.
- Are mabé pearls freshwater?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, mabé pearls are freshwater pearls, but they can be grown in saltwater. This makes them more budget-friendly than other pearls because they’re more readily available and grow in clusters. Find a large collection of mabé pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Round freshwater pearls look very similar to Akoya pearls but are less expensive. A necklace can range from $50 to $2000.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023The rarest color of freshwater pearls is arguably lavender. Pearls that feature the color naturally are much less common than ones that are white, silver, cream or rose. Pink and peach freshwater pearls are also less likely to occur naturally. Explore a wide range of freshwater pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To determine whether a pearl necklace is modern or vintage, first look for signs of wear, such as blunted edges on the prongs. The pearls will likely have dull spots where they came into contact with skin. The clasp can clue you in, too. Lobster clasps appeared in the 1970s, while early 20th century clasps were generally safety-pin style or C-clasps. Modern necklaces typically have a spring-loaded clasp. Shop a selection of vintage pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Vintage Mikimoto pearls are set with cream or white pearls. Colored pearls are a modern addition. All Mikimoto pearl jewelry includes marks on the back or inside of the piece that is either the Mikimoto name, an “M” logo or the outline of an oyster. In addition, strands of pearls will have a dangling “M” charm. Mikimoto stores and authorized retailers will also appraise and issue a certificate of valuation for any Mikimoto piece. Find a variety of expertly vetted Mikimoto pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.