Pearl Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold
1940s American Baroque Revival Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl, Gold, Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold
1960s Post-War Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1850s English Artisan Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold
1930s Victorian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Natural Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Romantic Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold-filled
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Black Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 19th Century American Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Quartz, 14k Gold, Aluminum, Sterling S...
1970s Finnish Modernist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
Early 1800s Italian Retro Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
19th Century French Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Crystal, Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ru...
Early 2000s European Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1890s Unknown Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, White Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Tanzanite, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Opal, White Diamond,...
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl
1950s American Modernist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1970s Finnish Modernist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s North American Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1890s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Modern Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Vermeil
Early 20th Century European Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
Early 2000s German Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s American Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Rose Gold, Steel
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1890s French Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, White 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.