Natural Saltwater Pearls
Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique 1870s Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, Silver
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Drop Earrings
White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Diamond, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Beaded Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Indian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
Antique 1890s American Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique 1890s British Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Silver
Antique 1870s Swiss Fashion Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1880s European Late Victorian Dangle Earrings
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique 1890s Austrian Late Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Stud Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s French Belle Époque Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Brooches
Opal, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Link Bracelets
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Vintage 1910s Art Deco Link Necklaces
Pearl
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century Edwardian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1910s American Edwardian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique 19th Century Colombian Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Silver, Gold
Early 20th Century European Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique 1870s Etruscan Revival Multi-Strand Necklaces
Oriental Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Retro Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique 1870s European Cluster Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold, Silver
Vintage 1910s Unknown Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Chalcedony, Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 1830s Early Victorian Cluster Rings
Natural Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s Belle Époque Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 1840s Italian Dangle Earrings
Gold, 10k Gold, 9k Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Fashion Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Swedish Retro Cluster Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Unknown Late Victorian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1950s American Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, White Gold
Antique 1890s Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 1870s Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique 1870s Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1920s Pendant Necklaces
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Natural Saltwater Pearls For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Natural Saltwater 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, there are natural pearls left. However, most have been harvested so they are extremely rare. Cultured pearls are still authentic pearls but more readily available. You’ll find a variety of pearl jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 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 ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Depending on the size and quality, a natural pearl can be worth up to $1,500. In most cases, natural pearls are worth more than cultured pearls.








