Estate Pearls
1990s Japanese Stud Earrings
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Stud Earrings
Pearl, 14k Gold
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Stud Earrings
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s Modernist Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Vanity Items
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Vanity Items
Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century American Modern Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s Modern Portrait Photography
Color, Archival Pigment
1990s Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Stud Earrings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese More Jewelry
Pearl, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s American Artisan Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Oriental Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Gold
1990s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Drop Necklaces
Citrine, Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Jade, Pearl, Tiger s Eye
1990s Japanese Cufflinks
Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Cocktail Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Fashion Rings
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Retro Band Rings
Emerald, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American Retro Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Cufflinks
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Modern More Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Moonstone, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Engagement Rings
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Platinum
2010s Japanese Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Japanese Vanity Items
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
1960s Modern Color Photography
Archival Pigment
1960s Modern Color Photography
Archival Pigment
Vintage 1950s Unknown Beaded Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s Retro Multi-Strand Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Vintage 1950s American Retro Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century North American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver, Gold
20th Century Retro Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow 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.








