Early 20th Century Cultured Pearl Necklace
Early 20th Century Italian Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Go...
Early 20th Century Drop Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Drop Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Emerald, Onyx, Cultured Pearl, Gold Plate
Early 20th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum, Silver
20th Century Unknown Edwardian Choker Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Sapphire
Late 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Peridot, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Multi-Strand Necklaces
Ruby, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Multi-Strand Necklaces
Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century English Art Deco Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, White Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Palladium
Early 20th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Tourmaline, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Belle Époque Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Unknown Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Aquamarine, Labradorite, Cultured Pearl, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Onyx, Gold Plate
Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Drop Necklaces
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Chinese Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Garnet, Pearl, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Modern Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Gilt Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Artisan Multi-Strand Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Japanese Modern Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
Early 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Art Deco Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Citrine, Cultured Pearl, Gold Plate
Early 20th Century Multi-Strand Necklaces
Early 20th Century Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, 10k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Chain Necklaces
Gold
Early 20th Century Asian Art Deco Choker Necklaces
2010s British Art Deco Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
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Early 20th Century Cultured Pearl Necklace For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Early 20th Century Cultured Pearl Necklace?
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 Necklaces for You
We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners. Today, Van Cleef necklaces, Tiffany necklaces and Cartier necklaces are some of the most popularly searched designer necklaces on 1stDibs.
Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers.
In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs.
For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone.
Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage David Webb necklaces — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Dior, Chanel and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.
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A Centuries-Old Style, Lockets Have Never Lost Their Romantic Appeal
Emblems of heartfelt emotion, elegant vessels for photos and keepsakes and perfect for layering, these special ornaments are an essential component of any thoughtfully curated jewelry collection.
This Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Is an Heirloom in the Making
With more than 100 carats of diamonds, this vintage stunner converts into different styles, making it as versatile as it is breathtaking.
[Survey] Two-Thirds of Jewelry Gift Recipients Don’t Want to Be Surprised
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Next-Level Pearls That Go Well Beyond the Expected
Organic shapes, surprising textures, shimmering colors and inventive embellishments take the new generation of pearl jewelry from classic to cutting-edge.
7 Vibrant Jewels for a Breezy Late-Summer Wardrobe
Soak up the pleasures of the season with a these bold gems.
Whether Worn Alone or Layered, These Chain Link Necklaces Are Trending
Learn more about the stylish links that have passed the test of time.
Meet the Dapper, Mustachioed Parisian Who’s Tops in Crafting Enticing Jewels
After more than a decade creating the iconic Lanvin gems of the Alber Elbaz years, designer Elie Top dove into the world of fine jewelry, mixing silver and gold to create his own striking, timeless look.