Estate Pearls
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s American Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Japanese Clip-on Earrings
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Cufflinks
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century American Modern Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Japanese Stud Earrings
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold,...
2010s Japanese Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Japanese Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Beaded Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Japanese More Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Modern Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
1990s Japanese Cufflinks
Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Black Pearl, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl
2010s American Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American More Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Yellow Gold
1990s Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Gold
1990s Japanese Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Dangle Earrings
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Edwardian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Japanese Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s American Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Japanese Clip-on Earrings
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Modern Hoop Earrings
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Citrine, Pearl, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Link Bracelets
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Modern Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s American Modernist More Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
Early 2000s Modern Lever-Back Earrings
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Beaded Bracelets
Jade, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Clip-on Earrings
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
1990s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Brooches
White Diamond, Kunzite, Natural Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Pearl, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Retro Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
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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.