Pearl Jewelry
1910s Edwardian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, Platinum
1940s French Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Modernist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl
1990s American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 9k Gold, Silver
1960s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Pearl, White Gold
1940s American Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
1960s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1960s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum
1920s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 1900s French Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1950s European Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Rose Gold
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, White Gold
1970s Italian Baroque Revival Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
1930s American Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum
1990s American Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Retro Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Mid-20th Century European Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1990s European Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1970s Artisan Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Turkish Byzantine Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold
20th Century English Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Cultured Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, Enamel
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s British Retro Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Peridot, Gold, Yellow Gold, 15k Gold
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
1970s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s French Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum, Gold
1910s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Silver
1970s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 9k Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1990s Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Quartz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
1960s Unknown Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 9k Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1920s Greek Greek Revival Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Enamel, 18k Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 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.