Pearl Jewelry
1970s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Contemporary Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Natural Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Georgian Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
1980s French Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 24k Gold, Gold Plate
Early 1900s European Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Vermeil, Silver, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
20th Century Thai Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1880s American Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Agate, Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Amethyst, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Asian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
1910s Edwardian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Brass
2010s Unknown Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
19th Century Dutch Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
1870s Unknown Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Go...
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1970s American Modernist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold
1970s Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Turquoise, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artist Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s Art Nouveau Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, White Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century New Zealand Late Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, Sterling S...
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Polynesian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow 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.