Gray Cultured Pearls
2010s American Modern Drop Earrings
Cultured Pearl, Zircon, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, White Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s German Contemporary More Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Wh...
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches
Emerald, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Dangle Earrings
Chrysophrase, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century French Modern Cufflinks
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Drop Earrings
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Multi-Strand Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Drop Earrings
Cultured Pearl, Zircon, Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
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Gray Cultured Pearls For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Gray Cultured 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.
- Are cultured pearls real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Yes, cultured pearls are real pearls. However, they're not naturally occurring pearls. Instead, they come from oysters raised on farms and are the product of human intervention that encourages the development of pearls. Most pearls available on the market are cultured rather than natural. Shop a wide range of pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.
- What are Akoya cultured pearls?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Akoya cultured pearls are pearls that come from Pinctada fucata martensii oysters. These molluscs are commonly referred to as Akoya oysters, accounting for the name of the pearls. The word “cultured” means that the pearls are real but were produced by oysters with the help of human intervention. Cultured pearls are very common, as naturally occurring pearls are extremely rare. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of pearl jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 30, 2024Yes, cultured pearls are often worth something. Values for loose pearls can be less than $100 or priced in the thousands, depending on their color, size, type and quality. Pearl jewelry may also have value beyond that of its materials due to its age, maker and other characteristics. To get an estimated value for your pearls, consult a certified appraiser or experienced jeweler. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of pearl jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Paspaley pearls are cultured — that is, the pearl-growing process is initiated by pearl farmers. Paspaley is known today as one of the finest suppliers of cultured pearls in the world. Shop a collection of genuine Paspaley pearl jewelry from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024Yes, cultured pearls may be worth money. Although they tend to be worth less than natural pearls, cultured pearls are still real pearls and can be worth hundreds to even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Potential selling prices depend on the color, size and quality of loose pearls, and ones set in jewelry may be worth more due to the pieces' ages, makers, types and styles. A certified appraiser or experienced jeweler can provide you with an estimated value for your pearls. Find a large selection of pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Can I get gray pearls?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, pearls are available in a gray hue. The most common color for pearls is white, off-white and gray, but pearls can also come in a range of soft pastels as well as black and chocolate brown. Shop a wide selection of pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.