Pearl Jewelry
1880s European Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Pearl Jewelry
Carnelian, Coral, Pearl, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, ...
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
2010s Italian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, 18k ...
Late 19th Century European Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, 15k Gold
2010s Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Moonstone, Pearl, Quartz, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
19th Century Antique Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Diamond, Pearl, Rock Crystal, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Star Sapphire, 10k Gold, Gold
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Hessonite, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Agate, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwate...
20th Century Swiss Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Coral, Emerald, Garnet, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sa...
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
Mid-19th Century Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, Gold
1920s European Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
Early 2000s European Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
2010s European Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s American Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold
1960s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
2010s British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold, Gold
1980s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Rose Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary American Georgian Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 10k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Artist Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1950s American Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
1990s European Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Amethyst, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ga...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose 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.