Pearl Jewelry
Early 20th Century Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Carnelian, Opal, Pearl, Gold-filled, Base Metal
Early 20th Century European Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Chinese Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Pyrite, Stainless Steel
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
1870s Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Pearl, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Agate, Pearl, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
20th Century Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Pearl, Gold Plate
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold
1870s British Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 20th Century French Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1940s American Baroque Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Citrine, Pearl, Peridot, Tourmaline
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire,...
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 10k Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s British Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Natural Pearl, Pearl, Gold
1860s British Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Turquoise, 15k Gold
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Pearl, Si...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Chalcedony, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Gold, Yell...
Early 20th Century American Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Blue Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire,...
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Turquoise, Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s European Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
1970s Finnish Modernist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
Mid-20th Century American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Platinum, Gold
20th Century Thai Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
Late 19th Century European Artisan Antique Pearl Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, 14k Gold
1860s English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Agate, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold
2010s Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White 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.