Antique White Gold, Natural Freshwater River Pearl & Diamond Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set with 14 graduated natural (possibly Mississippi) river freshwater pearls in the round in a 10k white gold setting.
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
$563Sale Price|20% Off
PEARL NECKLACE ‘ROPE’ Freshwater pearls from Mexico
Located in Buckingham , Buckinghamshire
A Long Freshwater Pearl Necklace — 134cm A beautifully strung freshwater pearl necklace measuring an impressive 134cm, crafted from natural river pearls sourced in Mexico.
Freshwater Pearl
Vintage Gold & Mississippi River Fresh Water Pearl Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
In 14k and 10k karat yellow golds. With a Baroque freshwater river pearl set in a gold setting stylized as leaves or an open flower.
Pearl, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Edwardian Style 14K Gold, Amethyst, & Pearl Festoon Necklace
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Supporting 3 drops with freshwater river pearls and briolette-cut amethysts and flanked by several festooned swags punctuated by pearl mounts to the chain.
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold
Vintage Mississippi River Pearl Drop Earrings
Located in Essex, GB
Delightfully unique! This rare pair of fresh water Mississippi river pearls are showcased in a stunning drop earring setting. Organic vine shaped tendrils wrap around each pearl, and...
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Natural River Pearl Flower set Gold Earrings
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920s, 14k. Charming, cheerful, and chic, these lovely flower earrings are a visual ray of sunshine. Naturalistic in design and material, each bloom is comprised of especially...
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold
Art Nouveau River Pearl & Pink Sapphire Pendant in 10K Yellow Gold
Located in Towson, MD
One 10 karat yellow gold Art Nouveau pendant, set with one 3mm round pink sapphire, one seed pearl, and one freshwater Mississippi river Pearl.
Pearl, Pink Sapphire, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Natural Tennesse Pearls and Single Cut Diamond Brooch in Platinum, circa 1930
Located in Miami, FL
A brooch in the shape of an infinity circle featuring natural freshwater Tennessee River pearls with a line of single cut diamonds set as a ring around the pearls in platinum.
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
18K Yellow Gold Hand Wrought Antique Chain Necklace with Freshwater River Pearls
Located in Big Bend, WI
Antique 18K yellow gold chain necklace featuring freshwater river pearls. The hand made links are long ovals alternating with 10 baroque freshwater pearls measuring about 4.5mm - 5.5...
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yogo Sapphire & Natural Pearl Crescent Pendant, Circa 1900
Located in Northampton, MA
The stones total approximately .85 carats. Ten natural freshwater river pearls are set between each sapphire.
Natural Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Antique Natural River Pearl and Diamond Ring
Located in Northampton, MA
Natural (uncultured) freshwater river pearls are rare and the rippled, undulating surface of this button-shaped pearl makes it strikingly unique.
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Edwardian Natural Pearl and Opal Necklace
Located in Northampton, MA
This Edwardian-era necklace of 18K yellow gold features alternating stations of opal beads and natural freshwater pearls. The natural pearls are freshwater river pearls and have reta...
Opal, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Art Nouveau Natural River Pearl & Diamond Flower Pendant in Platinum
Located in Boston, MA
Aston Estate Jewelry Presents: An Art Nouveau period diamond, and natural river pearl pendant in platinum. Featuring a natural freshwater American river pearl accented by two diamon...
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Platinum
Natural Tennesse Pearls and Single Cut Diamond Brooch in Platinum, circa 1930
Located in Miami, FL
A brooch in the shape of an infinity circle featuring natural freshwater Tennessee River pearls with a line of single cut diamonds set as a ring around the pearls in platinum.
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Mississippi River Pearl Diamond Gold Brooch
Located in London, GB
A Mississippi river pearl brooch in the form of a chrysanthemum, set in gold.
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl
Antique Citrine Seed Pearl Mississippi River Pearl Lavaliere Necklace
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique lavaliere pendant with bezel set dark amber color citrine. Measures 16 x 9 mm. Surrounded by seed pearls 2 mm. and three pendants of gold chain and American Mississippi Riv...
Citrine, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold
$138,000
Diamond Necklace Tiara
By Diamond Scene New York
Located in New York, NY
A MASTERPIECE! 46.75 carats of white pear, marquise and round brilliant cut diamonds set in 18k white gold. The piece can be worn as a necklace and easily converted into a tiara...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$472Sale Price|30% Off
L 7 in
Freshwater Pearl Bracelet with 14K Solid Yellow Clasp with Diamond Accent
By Renate Exclusive
Located in Naples, NY
Luxurious and beautiful pearl bracelet! Amazing, timeless, and elegant look! Pearl size: Approx. 4mm-5mm diameter Grade: Super high luster with pink overtone Coor: Cream with pink ...
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold
$3,800Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.59 in L 32 in
ITALIAN 1970 Angel Skin Coral Beads Long Necklace Mount In 18 Kt Yellow Gold
Located in Miami, FL
An Italian necklace with Angel's skin corals. This is a magnificent beads necklace created in Italy with fifty-one carvings of natural angel skin pink-white corals. The long strand ...
Coral, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage A. Tillander Diamond Platinum Tiara
Located in London, GB
An A. Tillander diamond platinum tiara, circa 1910. This exceptional diamond tiara by A. Tillander is beautifully handcrafted in platinum. The tiara is composed of intertwining, sc...
Diamond, Platinum
$4,071
H 0.17 in W 1.08 in L 1.69 in
Antique 3.83 Carat Diamond and Platinum Art Deco Brooch Circa 1925
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive Art Deco 3.83 carat diamond and platinum brooch; part of our diverse antique Art Deco jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This stunning, fine and...
Diamond, Platinum
$520Sale Price / item|20% Off
W 0.56 in L 0.99 in
Blue Sapphire Cabs 14kt Solid Gold Blue Chalcedony Cushion Shape Stud Earrings
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
These simple but elegant and handmade earrings have 2 Oval Blue Sapphire cabs measuring 8 x 10 mm set in a 14 Kt yellow gold bezel at the top to which are suspended 2 Cushion Shap...
Chalcedony, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Emerald and Diamond Drop Necklace
By Diamond Scene
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful emerald and diamond necklace with an very important look. 12.05 carats of fine green emeralds. 28.04 carats of round brilliant cut diamonds. 18k white gold The de...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
$35,000
H 2.76 in W 3.55 in D 2.76 in
Victorian Opal and Diamond Crown Tiara Haircomb Necklace, circa 1880s
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
Victorian Opal and Diamond Crown Haircomb Necklace, ca. 1880s A very unusual and stunning Victorian crown, set with fiery opal cabochons and old-mine cut diamonds, from the 1880s. T...
Diamond, Opal, Gold, Silver
Georgian Boxed Woven Pearl Starburst Tiara, Circa 1780
Located in Altrincham, GB
A spectacular Georgian tiara, gorgeously crafted and fitted in a royal blue velvet box. Its composed of countless natural and seed pearls, I can't imagine you could count them all- a...
Pearl, Base Metal
$19,888
H 2.76 in L 24.81 in
Antique La Belle Epoque Edwardian Natural Pearl Diamond Pendant Platinum Gold
Located in Lisbon, PT
Antique La Belle Époque natural pearl and diamond pendant necklace in platinum and gold, Portuguese, circa 1900. This garland jewel of geometric, floral and foliate motifs is millegr...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
$3,097 / set
H 1.97 in W 1.58 in Dm 1.58 in L 1.97 in
Antique Victorian Period European Turquoise Brooch in 14K Gold and Silver, 1880
Located in Buckingham , Buckinghamshire
A striking late 19th century Austro-Hungarian turquoise brooch of bold sculptural form, set throughout with natural cabochon turquoise in graduating sizes. Offered in an original an...
Turquoise, 14k Gold, Silver
Exceptional 1920's Czech Egyptian Revival Jeweled Mesh Purse
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful, large 1920's Czech Jeweled Mesh Purse of the largest scale and finest quality relined by famed, Art Bag of Madison Ave. NY. Jeweled frame with faux lapis pate de verre mol...
Pigeon's Blood Burmese Ruby and Diamond Necklace/Tiara, circa 1915
Located in London, GB
Pigeon's blood Burmese ruby and diamond necklace/tiara. Set to the centre with twenty six oval old cut natural unenhanced Pigeon's blood Burmese rubies in open back claw settings, ra...
Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold, Platinum
Cultured Tahitian Pearl Necklace, 5-6mm Dark Pearls, 45cm Length
Located in Buckingham , Buckinghamshire
An elegant cultured Tahitian pearl necklace composed of lustrous dark pearls displaying attractive peacock and silver overtones. The pearls measure approximately 5–6 mm and are indi...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
$1,059
H 3.12 in W 3.55 in L 15.2 in
Antique Egyptian Revival Scarab Festoon Necklace Pink Glass Gilt Metal
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This elegant Egyptian Revival necklace was created during the Belle Époque, 1885-1905 ca. The necklace is composed of four cast pink glass scarabs with impressed fantasy inscriptions...
Gilt Metal
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
Victorian Diamond and Certified No-Heat Burma Pink Sapphire Ring
Located in Northampton, MA
Natural, unheated Burmese pink sapphires and a halo of single-cut diamonds surround a central oval pink sapphire in this late Victorian ring. Crafted in 18K gold, the gems are set ...
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
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.