Akoya Brooch
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1910s Art Deco Brooches
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Brooches
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Contemporary Brooches
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Pearl, Amethyst, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century Japanese Modern Brooches
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Brooches
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Contemporary Brooches
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s Retro Brooches
Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Swiss Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Greek Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Japanese Retro Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Japanese Modern Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Unknown Retro Brooches
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Pearl, Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18k Go...
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, White Gold
1990s Japanese Cufflinks
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Collectible Jewelry
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco More Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Collectible Jewelry
Gold
2010s American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artisan Brooches
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Natural Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
- 1
Akoya Brooch For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Akoya Brooch?
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.
Finding the Right Brooches for You
Vintage brooches, which refer to decorative jewelry traditionally pinned to garments and used to fasten pieces of clothing together where needed, have seen increasing popularity in recent years.
While jewelry trends come and go, brooches are indeed back on the radar thanks to fashion houses like Gucci, Versace, Dior and Saint Laurent, all of which feature fun pinnable designs in their current collections. Whether a dazzlingly naturalistic Art Nouveau dragonfly, a whimsical David Webb animal, a gem-studded bloom or a streamlined abstract design, these jewels add color and sparkle to your look and a spring to your step.
Given their long history, brooches have expectedly taken on a variety of different shapes and forms over time, with jewelers turning to assorted methods of ornamentation for these accessories, including enameling and the integration of pearls and gemstones. Cameo brooches that originated during the Victorian age are characterized by a shell carved in raised relief that feature portraits of a woman’s profile, while 19th-century micromosaic brooches, comprising innumerable individually placed glass fragments, sometimes feature miniature depictions of a pastoral scene in daily Roman life.
At one time, brooches were symbols of wealth, made primarily from the finest metals and showcasing exquisite precious gemstones. Today, these jewels are inclusive and universal, and you don’t have to travel very far to find an admirer of brooches. They can be richly geometric in form, such as the ornate diamond pins dating from the Art Deco era, or designer-specific, such as the celebrated naturalistic works created by Tiffany Co., the milk glass and gold confections crafted by Trifari or handmade vintage Chanel brooches of silk or laminated sheer fabric. Chanel, of course, has never abandoned this style, producing gorgeously baroque CC examples since the 1980s.
Brooches are versatile and adaptable. These decorative accessories can be worn in your hair, on hats, scarves and on the lower point of V-neck clothing. Pin a dazzling brooch to the lapel of your blazer-and-tee combo or add a cluster of smaller pins to your overcoat. And while brooches have their place in “mourning jewelry,” in that a mourning brooch is representative of your connection to a lost loved one, they’re widely seen as romantic and symbolic of love, so much so that a hardcore brooch enthusiast might advocate for brooches to be worn over the heart.
Today, find a wide variety of antique and vintage brooches for sale on 1stDibs, including gold brooches, sapphire brooches and more.
Read More
This 1960s Opal Pansy Brooch Is a Perfect Token of Love
The care that went into crafting this jewel, with its lifelike carved petals and diamond accents, matches the sentiment it represents.
This David Webb Coral Flower Brooch Is Better Than a Bouquet
For starters, it is one of the jewelry designer’s most celebrated works.
This Gem-Encrusted Boucheron Brooch Is a Symbol of Mid-Century Glamour and Clever Design
Though it sparkles with more than 27 carats of diamonds, this multifaceted gem delivers more than just dazzle.
The Editor of ‘Town & Country’ Loves Jewelry and History in Equal Measure
Stellene Volandes takes us on a glittering, engrossing tour through the centuries.
5 Fresh Jewelry Trends That Will Bring You Joy This Spring
From cameos to cigar bands, here are the looks on our radar this season.
Tastemaker Bunny Mellon’s Extraordinary Schlumberger Jewels
The philanthropist and heiress was an avid jewelry collector, and her trove of Jean Schlumberger creations embodies the love of nature she shared with the famed designer.