Estate Pearls
Late 20th Century Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s American Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Silver, Gold
Vintage 1970s British Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century European Brooches
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s American Art Nouveau Stud Earrings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Stud Earrings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Pendant Necklaces
Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Persian Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Stud Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1960s Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold
Antique 1890s Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Bangles
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Beaded Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Dangle Earrings
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Brooches
Coral, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Beaded Bracelets
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Bangles
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
20th Century Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Brooches
Pearl, Crystal, Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Modernist Brooches
Crystal, Pearl, Gold Plate
Vintage 1950s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Dangle Earrings
Crystal, Pearl, 10k Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Stud Earrings
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Stud Earrings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chain Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, 14k Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Retro Bracelets
Pearl, Aquamarine, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Beaded Bracelets
South Sea Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Link Bracelets
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Edwardian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Stud Earrings
Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Baroque Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Brooches
Pearl, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Brooches
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
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Estate Pearls For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Estate 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.