Pearl Jewelry
2010s British Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Sterling Silver
1870s English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century American Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Kyanite, 9k Gold
2010s Indian Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Jade, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
1870s Dutch High Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, Enamel
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
1940s American Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, Vermeil, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Tanzanite, Sterling Silver
20th Century American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18...
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Artisan Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
19th Century British Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, 15k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Hessonite, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Byzantine Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-19th Century European High Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Topaz, 14k Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century English Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Black Pearl, Ruby, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1860s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
1930s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Jade, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Si...
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Onyx, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century English Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k 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.