Estate Pearls
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s Victorian Drop Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1850s Unknown Art Deco Brooches
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Modern Necklace Enhancers
Amethyst, Citrine, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 14k Gold,...
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone, Brass
Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Bangles
White Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone, Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone, Brass
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Chrysophrase, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Modern Dangle Earrings
Agate, Amethyst, Multi-gemstone, Onyx, Black Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold,...
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone, Brass
Vintage 1970s Japanese Wrist Watches
Mixed Metal, Stainless Steel
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Engagement Rings
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Stud Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1950s American Drop Earrings
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s More Necklaces
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1970s North American Artist Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s North American Art Deco Beaded Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s American Drop Necklaces
Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco More Rings
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco More Rings
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Art Deco More Rings
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern More Rings
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Brooches
Amethyst, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
20th Century Collectible Jewelry
Early 2000s Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s French Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Drop Necklaces
Pearl
Early 2000s Fashion Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Early 2000s Stud Earrings
South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Unknown Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Stud Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Choker Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American More Bracelets
Natural Pearl, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k 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.