Pearl Jewelry
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Spinel, Black Spinel, Sterling Silver
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Steel
20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1910s British Edwardian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
19th Century French Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 2000s American Pearl Jewelry
Quartz, Pearl, Rock Crystal, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Oriental Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Sterling Silver
1940s French Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate, Brass, Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
20th Century American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Jade, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
1950s Swedish Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire,...
1960s American Modernist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Dutch Early Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Early 1900s English Late Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Swiss Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Turquoise, 14k Gold
2010s British Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 1...
2010s Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Rhodium, Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Turquoise, Natural Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
Early 1900s English Arts and Crafts Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Modern Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
2010s Indian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Cultured Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Cat’s ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Pearl, Amethyst, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Rhodium, Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Opal, Cultured Pearl, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Onyx, Pearl, Sterling Silver
1880s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, White Gold
1990s Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century European Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, White Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
1990s Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Onyx, Pearl, Quartz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 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.