Pearl Jewelry
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1890s American Arts and Crafts Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Peridot, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
1910s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Silver
Mid-19th Century European High Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Topaz, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century English Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
Late 19th Century European Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Sapphire, Ruby, Pearl, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Jade, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Italian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Black Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Y...
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Topaz, Diamond, Pearl, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
1950s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Tourmaline, 14k Gold
1880s Dutch Early Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s English Belle Époque Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
1940s Austrian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Jade, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Romantic Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl
Early 1900s Swedish Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Vermeil
19th Century European Renaissance Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
2010s Turkish Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s European Art Nouveau Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Silver, Gold
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Morganite, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
1960s European Artisan Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, B...
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
Early 1900s Austrian Renaissance Revival Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Citrine, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, White Gold, Silver
Early 1900s Austrian Renaissance Revival Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Turquoise, Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Aquamarine, South Sea Pearl, Peridot, Quartz, Yellow Sapphire,...
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire...
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold Plate
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.