Pearl Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Stainless Steel
1980s North American Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1950s Unknown Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 2000s North American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Onyx, Pearl, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
1920s Unknown Victorian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Modern Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
1970s Unknown Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, 22k Gold
2010s American Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl
1950s Unknown Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
1960s Unknown Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, Black Pearl, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold-filled, Si...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Romantic Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Spinel, Black Spinel, Gold-filled
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Topaz, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Romantic Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Spinel, Gold-filled
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, White Gold
Late 20th Century American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Diamond, Chrysoberyl, 14k Gold
2010s American Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s American Early Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold-filled
2010s American Romantic Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Spinel, Gold-filled
2010s Italian Victorian Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Pearl, Gold Plate, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Victorian Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Onyx, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Pearl, Black Pearl, Quartz, Gold-filled
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Contemporary Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Ster...
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Black Pearl, Bronze
2010s American Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
2010s American Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl
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.