Pearl Jewelry
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
1990s Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Carnelian, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Pearl, Turquoise, Gold...
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1930s French Romantic Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Rhodium
Early 20th Century American Native American Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, Turquoise, Onyx, Sterling Silver
1960s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Amber, 18k Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1970s European Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Platinum
1910s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
1990s Asian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yello...
Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Arts and Crafts Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s Australian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
1920s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
1910s American Edwardian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Platinum
20th Century Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 10k Gold
1990s Swedish Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 15k Gold, Enamel
20th Century European Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold
1960s Australian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
1910s Unknown Edwardian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Zircon, Blue Zircon, 15k Gold, Platinum
1990s French Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century French Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold
1960s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater P...
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Silver
1920s European Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Tourmaline, 15k Gold
1990s European Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Diamond, Coral, Silver, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1920s Spanish Art Nouveau Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1950s American Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Jade, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 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.