Pearl Jewelry
Late 20th Century French Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century American Retro Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary North American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
1980s American Modernist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s American Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century European Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold, Platinum
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Rose Gold
Early 1900s Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Sapphire, Ruby, Pearl, Diamond, Enamel, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Quartz, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
1920s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1880s Unknown Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s British Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Enamel
1980s Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Black Opal, Gold Plate, Mixed Metal
1880s British Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Brazilian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
20th Century French Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Chalcedony, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century Russian Russian Empire Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling 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.