Pearl Jewelry
1820s English George III Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, Gold
Early 1800s British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold
1820s English Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1830s Unknown Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Gold
Early 19th Century Unknown Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 10k Gold
2010s British Georgian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 10k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Georgian Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, 10k Gold, White Gold
1830s George IV Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s British Georgian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 10k Gold, White Gold
1790s British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Enamel
1820s British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1820s British George III Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
1810s British George III Antique Pearl Jewelry
Oriental Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 15k Gold, Silver
1830s French George IV Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
19th Century Unknown Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Garnet, Natural Pearl, Topaz, Yellow Gold, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Georgian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 1800s British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Topaz, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1770s English Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary American Georgian Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Cultured Pearl, Vermeil, Sterling Silver, Brass
1810s Italian Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, Ruby, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Silver
19th Century Unknown Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Georgian Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Turquoise, Sterling ...
1820s British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, Gold, Silver
1820s British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Georgian Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Natural Pearl, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Topaz, Pearl, Ruby, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 19th Century French Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1780s Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Georgian Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Vermeil, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Early 19th Century American Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Quartz, 14k Gold, Aluminum, Sterling S...
19th Century American Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Quartz, Tourmaline, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Topaz, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Georgian Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
1840s Unknown Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Pearl, Gold, Rose Gold
19th Century British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1820s English Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, 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.