Chinese Freshwater Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Solitaire Rings
Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Rhodium
2010s American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Silver, Mixed Metal
2010s American Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Onyx, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Stud Earrings
Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Multi-Strand Necklaces
Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Ruby, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Vermeil, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Stud Earrings
White Diamond, Pearl, White Gold, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Hoop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, 10k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Stud Earrings
Agate, Pearl, Druzy, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Artisan Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, White Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Cultured Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Rope Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Aquamarine, Pearl, Tourmaline, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Sterling Silver, Mixed Metal
2010s Chinese Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Chinese Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Chinese Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Chinese Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, Rose Go...
2010s Chinese Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Turquoise, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Brooches
White Diamond, Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Link Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Beaded Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Japanese Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl
2010s American Artisan Beaded Bracelets
Jade, 10k Gold
2010s Chinese Artist Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Hoop Earrings
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, White Diamond, Yellow Gold, M...
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
South Sea Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow G...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Dangle Earrings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Dangle Earrings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Onyx, Freshwater Pearl, Pyrite, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Hoop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, White Gold, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Amethyst, Freshwater Pearl, Sapphire, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Oriental Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Brooches
White Diamond, Black Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pink Diamond, Labradorite, Natural Pearl,...
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Black Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Moonstone, Natural Pearl, Opal, Pearl, ...
2010s Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Drop Earrings
Freshwater Pearl, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
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Chinese Freshwater Pearl For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Chinese Freshwater Pearl?
The Legacy of Pearl in Jewelry Design
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.
- Are there freshwater pearls?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024Yes, there are freshwater pearls. Certain species of pearl-producing mollusks do live in bodies of freshwater. Among them are Hyriopsis cumingi and Hyriopsis schlegeli. Most freshwater pearls come from the United States and Japan. Shop a diverse assortment of antique, vintage and contemporary pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Are freshwater pearls real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023Yes, freshwater pearls are real. They come from mussels that are naturally found in lakes and rivers. However, it is rare to find naturally occurring pearls of any kind. As a result, most of the freshwater pearls used in jewelry are cultured. The term refers to pearls created by freshwater-dwelling mussels with the assistance of human intervention. Pearls produced with this process are real, but they are not natural. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of pearl jewelry.
- Are mabé pearls freshwater?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, mabé pearls are freshwater pearls, but they can be grown in saltwater. This makes them more budget-friendly than other pearls because they’re more readily available and grow in clusters. Find a large collection of mabé pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Round freshwater pearls look very similar to Akoya pearls but are less expensive. A necklace can range from $50 to $2000.
- 1stDibs ExpertDecember 4, 2023The rarest color of freshwater pearls is arguably lavender. Pearls that feature the color naturally are much less common than ones that are white, silver, cream or rose. Pink and peach freshwater pearls are also less likely to occur naturally. Explore a wide range of freshwater pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.