Pearl Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Ruby, Pearl, Diamond, 15k Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Pearl Jewelry
Yellow Diamond, Pearl, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, Brass
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Hessonite, Pearl, Garnet, Yellow Gold, 15k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
Mid-19th Century European Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary French Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
1970s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Late Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century English Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
Late 20th Century Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
1990s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Moonstone, Pearl, Quartz, Silver
Early 20th Century Swedish Renaissance Revival Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Tourmaline, Silver, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold
1850s European Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, Garnet, Cultured Pearl, Peridot, Topaz, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
1880s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
1990s Pearl Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, 18k Gold
19th Century Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1960s European Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
1960s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s French Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
1970s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 15k Gold
1910s Edwardian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
1980s American Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 15k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow 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.