Pearl Jewelry
1980s European Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Pearl, Emerald, Diamond, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
1980s American Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Spanish Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
1980s American Victorian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Emerald, Cultured Pearl, Peridot, Ruby, Blue...
1980s French Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
1980s North American Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s German Contemporary Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Jade, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Modernist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1980s Italian Contemporary Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
1980s American Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
1980s Italian Artisan Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1980s Italian Contemporary Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s French Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gilt Metal
1980s Hong Kong Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
1980s North American Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
1980s Italian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s American Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yel...
1980s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Pearl, Platinum
1980s Italian Contemporary Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1980s American Contemporary Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 10k Gold
1980s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s European Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Contemporary Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Canadian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, Copper
1980s French Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
1980s Contemporary Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Sapphire, Ruby, Pearl, Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1980s French Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s English Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
1980s English Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k 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.