Pearl Jewelry
1920s Austrian Renaissance Revival Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
20th Century Russian Russian Revival Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Vermeil
1930s German Art Nouveau Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, Silver
1910s Art Nouveau Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century European Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Rose Gold, Platinum
1950s Japanese Artisan Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
1930s French Byzantine Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Quartz, Gold, Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Peridot, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire...
2010s Israeli Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Japanese Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s English Belle Époque Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
1830s British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Jasper, Silver
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Sapphire, Multi-gemstone, Yellow Sapphire, Natural Pearl, Garnet, White ...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Sapphire, Tsavorite, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s Austrian Renaissance Revival Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Turquoise, Silver, Enamel
2010s Italian Modern Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Austrian Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Amethyst, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1880s British Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 24k Gold, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Hong Kong Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, White Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Freshwater Pearl, Gilt Metal, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
1950s American Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gilt Metal
1950s European Early Victorian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1880s Dutch High Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold
Early 1900s Swedish Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century English Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 9k Gold
1940s American Baroque Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gilt Metal
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1960s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
19th Century Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1890s Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
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.