Modernist Pearl Ring
20th Century American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Modernist Cocktail Rings
Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, Silver
Vintage 1970s Unknown Solitaire Rings
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Natural Pearl, Pearl, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Engagement Rings
Pearl, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Solitaire Rings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Signet Rings
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s Spanish Modernist Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s Solitaire Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modernist Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Artist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Danish Modern Solitaire Rings
Cultured Pearl, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Danish Modern Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1970s German Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Garnet, Sterling Silver
2010s Hong Kong Modernist Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Australian Modernist Fashion Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
Vintage 1970s European Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Solitaire Rings
Black Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Dome Rings
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Finnish Modernist Fashion Rings
Pearl, Gold
20th Century Modernist Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Bridal Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modernist Cocktail Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Solitaire Rings
Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modernist Dome Rings
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Modernist Dome Rings
Iolite, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Late 20th Century Italian Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Japanese Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, Ruby, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, White Gold, Rhod...
Vintage 1980s Japanese Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1990s American Modernist Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modernist Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
Late 20th Century French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modernist Fashion Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Fashion Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Modernist Three-Stone Rings
Pearl, Zircon, Blue Zircon, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modernist Fashion Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Swiss Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Tourmaline, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Yellow G...
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Natural Pearl, 14k Gold
1990s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s French Modernist Three-Stone Rings
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century German Modernist Cocktail Rings
Chrysophrase, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Pearl, 14k Gold
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Modernist Pearl Ring For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Modernist Pearl Ring?
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.
Finding the Right Rings for You
Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.
No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.
Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.
Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry.
The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.
Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.
- How long does a pearl ring last?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022How long a pearl ring lasts depends on how well you care for it. Protecting your ring from chemicals and taking it off before you perform tasks like house cleaning can help to extend its life. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of pearl rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023What pearls symbolize in a wedding ring is a matter of personal opinion. Some people associate pearls with sincerity, so a wedding ring that features them may mean a person takes their vows seriously. Others believe pearls are a symbol of purity and innocence. Pearls may also represent being loyal to one's spouse or promising to live harmoniously with them. On 1stDibs, find a collection of pearl wedding rings.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The white pearl is a symbol of new beginnings, purity and innocence, making this natural gem ideal for bridal jewelry. While a pearl isn’t suited to an engagement ring because of its softness, it makes for a lovely cocktail ring, necklace or earrings. Shop a collection of authentic white pearl jewelry from some of the world's top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Yes, pearls are good for engagement rings. Pearls symbolize loyalty, integrity, generosity, and purity which makes them a fitting choice for an engagement. However, pearls have a hardness of 2.5-3 on the Mohs scale, meaning they are easily scratched and not ideal for everyday wear.