Natural Saltwater Pearls
Early 2000s Unknown More Jewelry
Pearl, Natural Pearl
2010s Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Green Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Drop Earrings
Crystal, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique 1840s English Early Victorian Cocktail Rings
Natural Pearl, Topaz, Pearl, Imperial Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Retro Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Belgian Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
2010s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Onyx, Natural Pearl
Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s American Belle Époque Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century European Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Late 20th Century Asian Art Deco Multi-Strand Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Pearl, Opal, Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Fashion Rings
Amethyst, Natural Pearl, White Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Engagement Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Silver
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cufflinks
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Cluster Rings
Natural Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s American Victorian Brooches
Amethyst, Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Brooches
Yellow Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique 19th Century Art Nouveau Solitaire Rings
Natural Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique 1890s European Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American Retro Cocktail Rings
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s European Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Swedish Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Silver
Vintage 1920s Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Link Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique 1880s American Belle Époque Brooches
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Brooches
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s British Victorian Brooches
Natural Pearl, Rubelite, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 19th Century French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
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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.








