Pearl Jewelry
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold, White Gold
1850s Portuguese High Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
1950s American Contemporary Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-19th Century Antique Pearl Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Pearl, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold, ...
Mid-20th Century French Modernist Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sa...
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pearl Jewelry
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1820s Unknown Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
1880s British Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold Plate
2010s Australian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Artist Pearl Jewelry
Kyanite, Iolite, Tourmaline, Topaz, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Vermeil
2010s American Artist Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, Gold Plate, Gold-filled, 24k Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Pearl Jewelry
Crystal, Pearl, Gold, Gilt Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Pearl, Emerald, Diamond, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
1980s Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Regency Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Silver
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 14k Gold
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, Tourmaline, Silver
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1980s Regency Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
Early 1900s Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Retro Pearl Jewelry
Jade, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 20th Century Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1910s Edwardian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
1950s Victorian Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Chinese Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Labradorite, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, Sterling Silver
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
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.