Pearl Jewelry
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
2010s American Regency Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s Unknown Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold Plate
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Victorian Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 15k Gold
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
Early 20th Century English Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold, Enamel
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Gold Plate
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Quartz, Gold Plate
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Garnet, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Topaz, 18k Gold,...
2010s Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold
2010s American Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1870s Austrian Renaissance Revival Antique Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Coral, Silver, Gold-filled
20th Century Russian Russian Revival Pearl Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s German Art Nouveau Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Citrine, Gold, Silver
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
20th Century Unknown Etruscan Revival Pearl Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Art Nouveau Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Amethyst, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
2010s American Artisan Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
1940s American Artisan Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Brass
2010s Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Retro Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century English Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, Ruby, 15k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pearl Jewelry
Turquoise, Cultured Pearl, 22k Gold
1990s Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Coral, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century European Pearl Jewelry
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Dutch Early Victorian Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Pearl Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire...
1980s French Vintage Pearl Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold
1880s Antique Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
2010s Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Dutch Modern Pearl Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
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.