Pearl Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, 18k ...
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Go...
Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Base Metal
Early 20th Century Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Carnelian, Pearl, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Black Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1960s Unknown Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Unknown Modernist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, White Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Early 1900s Austrian Arts and Crafts Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver, Enamel
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl, Gold Plate
1920s French Artisan Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Brass
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Enamel
2010s Turkish Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire,...
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Israeli Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Black Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Y...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s British Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
19th Century British Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s Unknown Edwardian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 15k Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Quartz, Sterling Silver
1980s Finnish Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s British Georgian Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, 10k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Garnet, Vermeil
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 24k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Ruby, South Sea Pearl, Si...
1890s European Arts and Crafts Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver, 14k Gold
20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s American Romantic Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl
2010s European Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
1820s Unknown Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Chinese Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Sterling Silver
1950s French Byzantine Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold, Gilt Metal, Silver, Vermeil
1850s European Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gilt Metal
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.