Pearl Jewelry
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Mexican Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Sapphire, Ruby, Pearl, Diamond, Silver, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sa...
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold, White Gold
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Hessonite, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1970s Italian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Platinum
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Topaz, Diamond, Pearl, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver, Enamel
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
1950s American Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Morganite, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
19th Century Chinese Antique Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Spanish Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Topaz, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Sterling Silver
1970s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, White Gold, Silver
1930s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, Sterling Silver
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Mid-20th Century American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Marcasite, Onyx, Freshwater Pearl, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century European Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s French Byzantine Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Quartz, Gold, Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Turquoise, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Jade, Pearl, 22k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, White Gold, 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.