Pearl Jewelry
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
1990s Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Unknown Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s European Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Unknown Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1990s American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
1990s Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s European Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold, Silver
1990s European Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
1990s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
1990s Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Pearl, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s European Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s French Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s European Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s European Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s European Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Sterling Silver
1990s American Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Jade, Pearl, Black Jade, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
1990s Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, White Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
1990s American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
1990s American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
1990s American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
1990s Italian Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s American Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s German Aesthetic Movement Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s European Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Unknown Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Ruby, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
1990s Italian Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Green Beryl, Yellow Beryl, South Sea Pearl, Pearl, Beryl, Aquamarine, Wh...
1990s American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
1990s European Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
1990s American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
1990s Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Platinum
1990s Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold
1990s American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold
1990s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1990s French Aesthetic Movement Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow 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.