Antique Saltwater Pearl
1880s American Belle Époque Antique Saltwater Pearl
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
1910s Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Dutch Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, Platinum
Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, Platinum
1910s Dutch Art Nouveau Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
1880s British Victorian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Natural Pearl, Rubelite, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Spanish Art Deco Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Platinum, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum, 18k Gold
1920s Unknown Art Deco Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1890s British Late Victorian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1840s British Early Victorian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
1880s British Victorian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 1900s English Edwardian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
1890s British Victorian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Saltwater Pearl
18k Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Edwardian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Art Deco Antique Saltwater Pearl
Natural Pearl, Platinum
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Late 19th Century German Belle Époque Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Antique Saltwater Pearl
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Russian Edwardian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
1910s Art Nouveau Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1910s Unknown Edwardian Antique Saltwater Pearl
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
1910s Unknown Edwardian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Natural Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 15k Gold
Mid-19th Century British Antique Saltwater Pearl
Black Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1920s English Art Deco Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Platinum
1910s Unknown Antique Saltwater Pearl
Mid-18th Century Unknown Georgian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century British Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
1890s French Late Victorian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
1920s Art Deco Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Mid-19th Century Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold...
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Coral, Diamond, Natural Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
1920s Art Deco Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Mid-19th Century Antique Saltwater Pearl
Coral, Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k...
Late 19th Century German Late Victorian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Art Deco Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Late 19th Century Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Saltwater Pearl
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 19th Century Unknown Early Victorian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Garnet, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
1890s French Late Victorian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1910s Belgian Belle Époque Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yell...
Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silve...
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
1860s Unknown Late Victorian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Saltwater Pearl
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Antique Saltwater Pearl
White Diamond, Natural Pearl, White Gold
- 1
Antique Saltwater Pearl For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Antique Saltwater 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 20, 2024The process of telling an antique pearl varies based on whether it is set in jewelry or loose. In the case of jewelry, you can look for a maker's mark and then conduct online research to find out when the company existed and made similar pieces. To be considered an antique, pearl jewelry must be at least 100 years old. In the case of a loose pearl or if you have difficulty performing research on your item, experts recommend consulting a certified appraiser, knowledgeable jeweler or experienced antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of antique pearl jewelry.
- Are antique pearls worth money?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 30, 2024Some antique pearls are worth money. How much a particular piece is worth depends on its age, style, type, maker and condition. The majority of antique pearls are likely to be uncultured pearls, as Kokichi Mikimoto didn't introduce the world's first true cultured pearl, produced by oysters with assistance from humans, until 1893. Generally, uncultured pearls are worth more than cultured ones. To learn more about your jewelry and find out what it could be worth, consult a certified appraiser, experienced jeweler or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find an assortment of antique pearl jewelry.