Pearl Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Moonstone, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s American Modernist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Romantic Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Silver Plate
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Platinum
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Ruby, Freshwater Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
Early 20th Century French Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 2000s American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold
1980s English Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Freshwater Pearl, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Black O...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Vermeil, Brass
2010s Italian Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Tit...
2010s Italian Renaissance Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Vermeil
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, Silver Plate, Mixed Metal
2010s Asian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s American Artisan Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 1900s British Late Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
1850s English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Jasper, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate, Vermeil, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Topaz, Druzy, Kyanite, Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Pearl, Onyx, Garnet, Sterlin...
Mid-20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1870s Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s American Artisan Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s French Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Base Metal
2010s American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Rubelite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Canadian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k 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.