Pearl Jewelry
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Edwardian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Swedish Arts and Crafts Antique Pearl Jewelry
Turquoise, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, Tourmaline, Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 15k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Portuguese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Rhodium, Silver
1910s Edwardian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Black Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Black Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18...
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1850s French High Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Freshwater Pearl, Enamel, Sterling Silver
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Rock Crystal, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Black Pearl, Turquoise, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
1960s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Onyx, Pearl, Quartz, Sterling Silver
1870s French Napoleon III Antique Pearl Jewelry
Malachite, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 19th Century Unknown Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 10k Gold
Mid-20th Century French Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Jade, Pearl, Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Spinel, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Antique Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, 18k ...
1940s European Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Emerald, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Peridot, Ruby, ...
2010s Unknown Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
1980s Regency Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
Early 2000s Polynesian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 15k 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.