Estate Pearls
Antique 19th Century Victorian Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Early 1900s Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique 1880s French Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Stud Earrings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Art Deco Lever-Back Earrings
Onyx, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s Brooches
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1930s More Bracelets
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold, White Gold
Antique 1880s Etruscan Revival Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 10k Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, White Gold
Antique 1870s Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Drop Earrings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, White Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1660s Unknown Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s French Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Unknown Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 9k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, White Gold
Vintage 1910s Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold, Platinum
Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s Unknown Clip-on Earrings
Natural Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1930s Unknown Link Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, White Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Chrysophrase, Pearl, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s English Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Amethyst, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1990s Drop Earrings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold
Vintage 1930s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Dutch Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Choker Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
2010s Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Cluster Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique 1810s Unknown Georgian Cluster Rings
Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Tourmaline, 14k Gold
Vintage 1910s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, White Gold, Platinum, Silver
Vintage 1980s Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
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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.