Pearl Jewelry
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Swedish Arts and Crafts Antique Pearl Jewelry
Turquoise, Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s American Baroque Revival Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl, Gold, Gilt Metal, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold-filled, Silver
1910s French Belle Époque Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Late 20th Century Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Artisan Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Australian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1910s Edwardian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, 15k Gold
1960s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Contemporary Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, Ruby, Gold
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Gold-filled
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
Late 20th Century Indian Artist Pearl Jewelry
Ruby, Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Coral, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century European Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Spinel, Topaz, Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Mid-20th Century European Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
1990s Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 1900s French Belle Époque Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s British Late Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
1970s European Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Early Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
1960s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 9k Gold, Rose...
Early 1900s British Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Amethyst, Peridot, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow 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.