Pearl Jewelry
1980s European Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s European Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1940s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Jade, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
1950s Unknown Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
1980s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Pearl, Emerald, Diamond, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
1950s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold, Plat...
Late 20th Century Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Platinum
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Pearl, 14k Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Japanese Retro Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Turquoise, Agate, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, ...
1950s Australian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold
1960s Australian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
1970s European Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
1930s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
20th Century North American Retro Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
1950s Unknown Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s North American Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Emerald, Diamond, Silver, Rose Gold, 9k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s French Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 1900s European Retro Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Topaz, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1950s Swiss Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Retro Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1950s Dutch Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
1950s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century North American Retro Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Retro Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Pink Sapphire, Amethyst, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Asian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Turquoise, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century North American Retro Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Topaz, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, 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.