Estate Pearls
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Tourmaline, Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Onyx, Pearl, Rock Crystal, Crystal, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century Organic Modern Collectible Jewelry
Sterling Silver
1990s American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
20th Century Drop Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
20th Century French Hollywood Regency Collectible Jewelry
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Oriental Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Cocktail Rings
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Drop Necklaces
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Art Deco Drop Earrings
South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
White Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Romantic Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
20th Century Retro Cluster Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century More Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Modern Clip-on Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Link Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Retro Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Jade, Pearl
Mid-20th Century American Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Oriental Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
Pearl, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Bangles
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings
South Sea Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Drop Earrings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, Jade, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Romantic Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Modernist Brooches
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold
20th Century Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold,...
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Hematite, Pearl
Late 20th Century Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Arts and Crafts Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Pearl, 14k Gold, Enamel
2010s Japanese Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Modern Bracelets
Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Japanese Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Modern Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
20th Century Romantic Beaded Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Japanese Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, 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.