Pearl Jewelry
18th Century Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 18th Century British George III Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, Enamel
Mid-18th Century Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Silver
18th Century British Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 18th Century American Artisan Antique Pearl Jewelry
Other, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
18th Century Indian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Multi-gemstone, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 18th Century European Renaissance Revival Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
18th Century Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Emerald, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
18th Century North American Artisan Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold, Silver, Gold
18th Century Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1770s Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold, Silver
1770s Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
Early 18th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
18th Century French Antique Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Tourmaline, Pearl, Gold
Mid-18th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1790s European Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Mid-18th Century North American Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1780s Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 18th Century French Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl
Late 18th Century European Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, 15k Gold, Platinum
18th Century North American Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 18th Century European Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Enamel, 18k Gold
18th Century European Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Gold
Early 18th Century English Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Enamel, 18k Gold
18th Century Artisan Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Kyanite, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1760s Spanish Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Silver
18th Century Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, Enamel
Late 18th Century Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Star Sapphire, 18k Gold, Y...
Late 18th Century American Artisan Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1780s English Antique Pearl Jewelry
Oriental Pearl, 14k Gold
18th Century Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Rose Gold
Early 18th Century French Napoleon III Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 18th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Mid-18th Century Art Deco Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Late 18th Century Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 18th Century Unknown Artisan Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Other, Yellow Gold, Silver, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-18th Century American Artisan Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold, Silver
Late 18th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1790s British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Enamel
1790s Swiss Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, Enamel
1770s English Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl
Late 18th Century American Artisan Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Silver, Gold
Late 18th Century American Artisan Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver, Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 18th Century American Artisan Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 18th Century American Artisan Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1780s Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
Early 18th Century European Romantic Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 22k Gold, Enamel
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, 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.