Estate Pearls
Antique 1880s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Dangle Earrings
Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
Coral, Onyx, Pearl, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Mid-20th Century American Artisan Solitaire Rings
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Cuff Bracelets
Amethyst, Opal, Pearl, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow ...
Early 2000s Israeli Artist Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Mid-20th Century European Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Late 20th Century Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Modern Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century French Modern Brooches
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Modern Color Photography
Archival Pigment
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Peridot, 14k Gold, Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Dangle Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Whi...
Early 20th Century Victorian Brooches
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
1960s Realist Portrait Photography
Lambda
Vintage 1970s Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Jade, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Artisan Modern Bracelets
Sterling Silver
2010s Modern Pendant Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklace Enhancers
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Cocktail Rings
Pink Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1970s German Jugendstil Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings
Jade, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Black Pearl, Black Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1950s Modernist Choker Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver, Silver
Late 20th Century Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
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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.