Pearl Jewelry
2010s American Romantic Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl
19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Rhodium, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Black Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1880s Dutch Early Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
2010s Australian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 1900s British Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Tourmaline, 9k Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1960s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1970s Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Jade, Cultured Pearl, Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver, Enamel
2010s Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Black Diamond, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Go...
1920s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Black Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Thai Greek Revival Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Gr...
Early 2000s American Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Black Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1890s British Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Silver
1880s American Belle Époque Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s European Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
19th Century Unknown Renaissance Revival Antique Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Japanese Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Brass
1990s Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Artist Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Artist Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gol...
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Star Sapphire, 10k Gold, Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 9k Gold, Silver, Rose Gold
1910s Edwardian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s European Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Swiss Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Swedish Arts and Crafts Antique Pearl Jewelry
Turquoise, Pearl, 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.