Pearl Jewelry
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1960s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, Sapphire, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl
2010s Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
20th Century French Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1860s Swedish Empire Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Indian Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sterling Silver
19th Century Unknown Art Deco Antique Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Rhodium, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 24k Gold, Brass
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 10k Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Crystal, Opal, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Mexican Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Ruby, Pearl, Onyx, Jade, Emerald, Diamond, Enamel, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s Edwardian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
Early 2000s Israeli Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s European Late Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Retro Pearl Jewelry
Ruby, Green Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pearl, Silver, Gold ...
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
1970s Italian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Platinum
2010s Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Mixed Metal
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Ruby, Pearl, Diamond, Amethyst, Enamel, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s British Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, Sterling Silver
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Anglo-Indian Pearl Jewelry
Coral, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1930s European Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Garnet, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Labradorite, Pearl, Gold Plate
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sa...
2010s Australian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, South Sea Pearl
Early 1900s European Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Vermeil, Silver, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Artist Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, Gold Plate, Gold-filled, 24k Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
1930s French Byzantine Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Quartz, Gold, Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Platinum
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1970s Israeli Artisan Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Vermeil
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.