Pearl Jewelry
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Jasper
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire...
1950s American Modernist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century Thai Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Platinum
2010s Hong Kong Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, Onyx, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
2010s Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Carnelian, Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k G...
1860s Swedish Empire Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1880s British Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Citrine, Pearl, Gold
2010s Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, South Sea Pearl, Silver, Gold Plate, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s French Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1890s Swedish Arts and Crafts Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Swedish Renaissance Revival Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Tourmaline, Silver, Gold Plate
2010s Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Topaz, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, 9k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 9k Gold
2010s Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Jade, Pearl, Tiger's Eye
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1880s Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
2010s Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
1950s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Mixed Metal
Mid-20th Century Japanese Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Jade, Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
1940s American Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Jade, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Ruby, South Sea...
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 9k Gold
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century English Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, Tourmaline, Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Pearl, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Georgian Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Natural Pearl, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
Mid-20th Century American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Zircon, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Dutch Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 15k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k 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.