Pearl Jewelry
Early 2000s Thai Retro Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s French Modern Pearl Jewelry
Rock Crystal, Freshwater Pearl, Gilt Metal
Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Black Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18...
1840s English Early Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Topaz, Pearl, Imperial Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Yellow Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Black Opal, Gold Plate, Mixed Metal
Early 20th Century Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1920s French Artisan Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Brass
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Austrian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver, Enamel
1960s American Modernist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
1970s Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Jade, Cultured Pearl, Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary English Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 9k Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, White Gold, Silver
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
1950s French Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, ...
2010s Turkish Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Peridot, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium
2010s Italian Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Black Diamond, Pearl, Oriental Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Moonstone, Pearl, Rainbow Moonstone, Gold, 14k G...
2010s British Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1860s British High Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Turquoise, Silver, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
19th Century British Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Multi-gemstone, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, Oriental Pearl, ...
2010s Turkish Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold
1940s Austrian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Jade, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Silver, Enamel
1930s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
1820s English George IV Antique Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Oriental Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
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.