New in Pearl Jewelry
1970s European Retro Vintage New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Modern New in Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, Peridot, Gold Plate, Rhodium
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro New in Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold
Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Art Deco New in Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese New in Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s American Art Deco Vintage New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1910s Vintage New in Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artist New in Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
1970s Italian Retro Vintage New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold, White Gold
1980s Vintage New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century New in Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 15k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary New in Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modernist New in Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1870s Etruscan Revival Antique New in Pearl Jewelry
Oriental Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary New in Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan New in Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 1...
Late 20th Century Unknown New in Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown New in Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Edwardian New in Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium
1990s Asian New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Swedish New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan New in Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yello...
Early 20th Century New in Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan New in Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Modern Vintage New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century European Artisan New in Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century New in Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Tourmaline, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan New in Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 19th Century Antique New in Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century New in Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
Early 2000s French Modern New in Pearl Jewelry
Amber, Pearl, Jasper, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
1860s English Victorian Antique New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, Enamel
2010s European Contemporary New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
2010s European Contemporary New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary New in Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern New in Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Silver
Early 20th Century American New in Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist New in Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold, Gold
Early 1900s Late Victorian Antique New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan New in Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Mandarin Garnet, Garnet, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s American Art Deco Vintage New in Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1850s British Early Victorian Antique New in Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Garnet, 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.