Early 20th Century Pearls
Early 20th Century Unknown More Necklaces
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century More Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Engagement Rings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Beaded Bracelets
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Brooches
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century European Gothic Revival Brooches
Pearl
Early 20th Century More Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century British Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 9k Gold
Early 20th Century Belle Époque Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Dangle Earrings
Pearl, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Drop Earrings
Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century American Brooches
Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Dangle Earrings
Natural Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Berlin Iron, Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Tanzanite, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Engagement Rings
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl
Early 20th Century Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Brooches
Blue Sapphire, Natural Pearl, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Drop Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Link Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Indian Vanity Items
Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Vanity Items
Pearl, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl
Early 20th Century Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Art Deco Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, Jade, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Si...
20th Century Edwardian More Rings
Natural Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century More Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
20th Century Edwardian More Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Fashion Rings
Pearl, 10k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
20th Century American Edwardian Drop Earrings
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century American Edwardian Cocktail Rings
Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Edwardian More Bracelets
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Drop Necklaces
Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
20th Century English Edwardian Bangles
Natural Pearl, 15k Gold
20th Century Unknown Edwardian Choker Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Sapphire
Early 20th Century French Brooches
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century French Edwardian Chain Bracelets
Natural Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century American Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century Edwardian Drop Necklaces
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
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Early 20th Century Pearls For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Early 20th Century Pearls?
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.