South Sea Pearls Estate
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Baroque Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Beaded Bracelets
South Sea Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Late 20th Century Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Stud Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Early 2000s Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
1990s Modernist Brooches
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Late 20th Century Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Late 20th Century Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Late 20th Century Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century European Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Cocktail Rings
Pink Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Early 2000s Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Drop Earrings
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Bangles
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Artisan Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Modern Brooches
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
2010s Modern Brooches
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Rhodium, Gold
Vintage 1980s Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cluster Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings
Vintage 1950s Unknown Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Fashion Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Early 2000s Stud Earrings
South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Stud Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Early 2000s Dangle Earrings
South Sea Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Japanese Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings
South Sea Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
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South Sea Pearls Estate For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a South Sea Pearls Estate?
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.
- How can I tell South Sea pearls?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To identify South Sea pearls, you can compare their size to other pearls. Normally, ones that originate from the South Sea are much larger. Because it can be difficult to determine pearl type based on sight alone, consider using the services of a licensed jewelry appraiser. On 1stDibs, find a selection of expertly vetted South Sea pearl jewelry.