Gray South Sea Pearls
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Artisan Drop Earrings
White Diamond, Garnet, South Sea Pearl, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, ...
2010s Italian Modern Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Dome Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Dome Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Cluster Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Byzantine Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Multi-gemstone, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18...
2010s Hong Kong Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Garnet, South Sea Pearl, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold, Whit...
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Natural Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, R...
2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Stud Earrings
Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Brooches
South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Cocktail Rings
South Sea Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Thai Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Cocktail Rings
South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Emerald, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Cocktail Rings
South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Cocktail Rings
South Sea Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Cocktail Rings
South Sea Pearl, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Revival Cocktail Rings
South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Cocktail Rings
Garnet, South Sea Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Cocktail Rings
South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Thai Anglo-Indian Cocktail Rings
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Thai Baroque Bangles
South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sa...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1970s German Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Drop Earrings
Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 2000s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Stud Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Brooches
2010s More Necklaces
Late 20th Century More Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Yellow Gold
2010s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Cocktail Rings
Black Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Dangle Earrings
South Sea Pearl, Topaz, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
American Fashion Rings
20th Century Collectible Jewelry
Early 2000s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Chalcedony, South Sea Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Fashion Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
1990s Drop Earrings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American More Necklaces
South Sea Pearl
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
South Sea Pearl, Spinel, 18k Gold
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Gray South Sea Pearls For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Gray South Sea 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.
- How can I tell South Sea pearls?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To identify South Sea pearls, you can compare their size to other pearls. Normally, ones that originate from the South Sea are much larger. Because it can be difficult to determine pearl type based on sight alone, consider using the services of a licensed jewelry appraiser. On 1stDibs, find a selection of expertly vetted South Sea pearl jewelry.