Pearl Jewelry
20th Century American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Tourmaline, Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Go...
1980s French Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
1960s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k...
1910s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 9k Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Mixed Metal, Vermeil
1880s Dutch Early Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 1...
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Hematite, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Sterling Silver, Silver
Late 19th Century European Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Silver Plate
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
1960s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Natural Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, Crystal, Silver
1980s American Modernist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Carnelian, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Chalcedony, Citrine, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Black Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Coral, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Turquoise, White D...
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Australian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Jade, Onyx, Pearl, Rock Crystal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, White Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
1910s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Black Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
1930s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
Mid-20th Century Australian Modern Pearl Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Pearl, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
1980s American Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
Late 19th Century European Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century French Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k 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.