Mississippi River Pearls
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s American Victorian Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique 1890s American Art Nouveau Brooches
Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Brooches
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century Brooches
Pearl, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Artisan Drop Necklaces
Sapphire, Multi-gemstone, Yellow Sapphire, Natural Pearl, Garnet, White ...
Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Pearl, Amethyst, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
20th Century American Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
Recent Sales
Late 20th Century Clip-on Earrings
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1910s American Edwardian Link Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique 1890s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Pink Sapphire, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Cluster Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Victorian Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Silver
Vintage 1960s American Brooches
Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Early 1900s American Brooches
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl
Vintage 1950s American Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Pearl
Antique 19th Century Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century Fashion Rings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s American Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold
Vintage 1950s American Modernist Brooches
Natural Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
Vintage 1910s American Art Nouveau More Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, White Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau More Jewelry
Gold Plate, Silver Plate, Brass, Bronze, Gilt Metal
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Coral, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Boxes and Cases
Vintage 1910s French Art Nouveau Brooches
Crystal, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 1860s English Victorian Link Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s German Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Silver, Enamel
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Silver, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Brooches
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Clamper Bracelets
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mississippi River Pearls For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Mississippi River Pearls?
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.