Gray South Sea Pearls
2010s Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Black Diamond, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White...
21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold, Vermeil
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Amethyst, South Sea Pearl, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Tanzanite, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s American Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Drop Earrings
South Sea Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Baroque Drop Earrings
Emerald, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Amethyst, South Sea Pearl, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Unknown Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Bangles
Pink Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire,...
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Organic Modern Platters and Ser...
Acrylic
1990s Modern Drop Earrings
Aquamarine, Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 2000s French Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Modern Drop Earrings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Italian Modern Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Drop Earrings
Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Drop Earrings
Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Diamond, Platinum
Unknown Chandelier Earrings
Iolite, Sapphire, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Drop Earrings
Vintage 1960s French Brooches
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cuff Bracelets
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Baroque Dangle Earrings
Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 2000s American Beaded Necklaces
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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.