Pearl Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Black Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century European Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Egyptian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Freshwater Pearl, Zircon, Vermeil
Mid-20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold
19th Century Antique Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Diamond, Pearl, Rock Crystal, 15k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Unknown Art Deco Antique Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Iolite, Multi-gemstone, Pearl, Peridot, Topaz, Blue T...
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
2010s Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, ...
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Opal, Cultured Pearl, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
1990s European Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 15k Gold
2010s Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Kunzite, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, White Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
1930s German Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Austrian Arts and Crafts Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver, Enamel
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Unknown Belle Époque Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1980s Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-19th Century Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, Gold
1970s Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, White Gold
1880s British Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold
Late 19th Century European Artisan Antique Pearl Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
Early 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s French Belle Époque Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Modern Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
1970s European Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Byzantine Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1960s Italian Belle Époque Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold Plate, Silver
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.