Pearl Jewelry
18th Century Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1810s Unknown Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Chalcedony, Natural Pearl, Pearl, Gold, Silver
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
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
1820s Unknown Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Enamel, 18k Gold
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Georgian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
1830s Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
1830s British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Gold
18th Century Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
1820s English George IV Antique Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Oriental Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
Early 19th Century Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
1820s Unknown Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Topaz, Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 15k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, Enamel
1770s Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold, Silver
Mid-19th Century English Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1770s Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
Late 19th Century European Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Silver
1830s Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Gold, Enamel
1810s Unknown Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
1830s British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, 10k Gold, Enamel
1790s European Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
1840s European Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
1850s English George V Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Moonstone, 15k Gold
Early 1800s European Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
1830s British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Topaz, Pearl, Gold
1810s European Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 18th Century French Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl
1830s English George IV Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Natural Pearl, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold, Enamel
Late 18th Century European Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Enamel, 18k Gold
18th Century European Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Gold
1820s European George III Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 1800s English George III Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 15k Gold, Enamel
1810s Spanish Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Gold
19th Century British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 18th Century English Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Enamel, 18k Gold
1820s Unknown Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Silver
19th Century European Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
1760s Spanish Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Silver
1820s British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, Enamel
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, 18k Gold
18th Century Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, Enamel
19th Century European Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Silver
1830s British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Gold
Early 19th Century European Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gilt Metal, Berlin Iron
Early 1800s British Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Rose Gold
1820s English George III Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, Gold
1820s English Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1820s European Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
1820s British George IV Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
1830s Unknown Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Gold
1820s Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Pearl, Ruby, Pinchbeck
Early 1800s Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s British Georgian Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, 10k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Georgian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 10k Gold, White 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.