Pearl Jewelry
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond...
Early 1900s British Late Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1960s French Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Australian Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century European Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1990s French Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
1950s American Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s American Modernist Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl
1970s Japanese Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Hematite, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Turquoise, Pearl, Gold
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver, Enamel
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1950s American Contemporary Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Turquoise, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
1930s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century Italian Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1910s English Edwardian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Pearl, Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, Gold
1930s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century French Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold
20th Century Unknown Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
1970s European Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold, White Gold
1950s American Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1980s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Late 20th Century Unknown Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Opal, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 15k Gold, Enamel
20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1910s Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
1990s Asian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Swedish Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 10k Gold
20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yello...
20th Century European Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Tourmaline, 15k Gold
Early 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 15k Gold
Early 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
1980s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Pearl, Emerald, Diamond, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century French Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1960s Renaissance Revival Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Japanese Retro Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
20th Century American Modern Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Silver
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.