Blue Akoya Pearl
2010s Singaporean Link Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Chalcedony, Diamond, Pearl, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Blue Topaz, Cultured Pearl, Topaz, Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Stud Earrings
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Clip-on Earrings
Pearl, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Stud Earrings
Pearl, Diamond, Enamel, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s British Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century European Retro Beaded Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White...
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Go...
20th Century Brooches
Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
Vintage 1930s Japanese Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Brooches
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18k Go...
21st Century and Contemporary American Link Bracelets
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Rope Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Rope Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artisan Brooches
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Natural Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Oriental Pearl
2010s Australian Baroque Fashion Rings
Pearl, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Asian Baroque Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Baroque Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Cultured Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Moonstone, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Rose Gold, White Gold
2010s Cocktail Rings
Early 2000s Japanese Drop Earrings
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Bangles
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Topaz, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Thai Art Deco Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Cultured Pearl, Topaz, White Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Dangle Earrings
Cultured Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
2010s American Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, ...
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, ...
21st Century and Contemporary French Romantic Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Retro Clip-on Earrings
Amethyst, Pearl, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Cluster Rings
Pearl, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Drop Earrings
Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
American Beaded Bracelets
Early 2000s Italian Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Dangle Earrings
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Iolite, Pearl, Peridot, Quartz, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18...
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Modern More Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Japanese Modern Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
1990s Italian Link Bracelets
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s American Artisan Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, Sapphire, Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Topaz, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Japanese Modern Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
2010s American Artisan Beaded Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, Spinel, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Retro Beaded Necklaces
Chalcedony, Pearl, 14k Gold
Vintage 1970s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Romantic Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Quartz, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow...
Vintage 1960s Unknown Modernist Cuff Bracelets
Pearl, Silver
2010s Italian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Quartz, Topaz, Tourmaline, 1...
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl
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21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Tourmaline, Indicolite, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Cocktail Dresses
Vintage 1980s Link Bracelets
1920s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
1990s French Evening Gowns
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Beryl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold
20th Century Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Chalcedony, Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Dangle Earrings
Aquamarine, Sapphire, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Spanish Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Tsavorite, Garnet, Platinum
2010s Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Blue Akoya Pearl For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Blue Akoya 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.
- Are Mikimoto pearls Akoya?2 Answers1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021No, not all Mikimoto pearls are Akoya. Mikimoto also uses Black South Sea cultured pearls, White South Sea cultured pearls, Golden South Sea cultured pearls, and Conch pearls to create their jewelry. Shop Mikimoto Akoya pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Yes, Mikimoto pearls are Akoya, meaning they come from Akoya oysters. The brand largely pioneered the production of cultured pearls, which are genuine pearls developed with human assistance. Mikimoto creates Akoya pearl necklaces, pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings and brooches. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Mikimoto pearl jewelry.
- What are Akoya cultured pearls?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Akoya cultured pearls are pearls that come from Pinctada fucata martensii oysters. These molluscs are commonly referred to as Akoya oysters, accounting for the name of the pearls. The word “cultured” means that the pearls are real but were produced by oysters with the help of human intervention. Cultured pearls are very common, as naturally occurring pearls are extremely rare. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of pearl jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024The difference between Akoya and Mikimoto pearls comes down to specificity. Akoya is the general name for pearls derived from Pinctada fucata mollusks. These are prized for their smooth texture, round shape and attractive shine. Mikimoto pearls are pearls sold by the Japanese jewelry maker Mikimoto, which specializes in Akoya pearls. Nearly all Mikimoto pearls are Akoya pearls. However, other jewelers also sell Akoya pearl jewelry. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Mikimoto and Akoya pearls.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024To tell if Akoya pearls are real, examine the surfaces of your pearls closely. Natural pearls will have variations in texture, such as small bumps and blemishes. Pearls that are perfectly smooth and identical in shape and size are unlikely to be real. You can also try rubbing two of the pearls together. Real pearls will usually have a gritty feeling, while imitations will produce little to no friction when rubbed. If you're still unsure whether your pearls are real, have a certified appraiser or experienced jeweler evaluate them. Find a wide range of Akoya pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.













