Natural Saltwater Pearls
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum, 18k Gold
Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century English Edwardian Link Bracelets
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Link Bracelets
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Brooches
18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Stud Earrings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian More Necklaces
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Art Deco More Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian More Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Mid-20th Century French Solitaire Rings
Natural Pearl, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Solitaire Rings
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century French Solitaire Rings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Link Bracelets
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Link Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century German Belle Époque Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Brooches
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Natural Pearl
Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Cluster Rings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Beaded Bracelets
Pearl, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s British Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1950s British Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 15k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century British Brooches
Black Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s Indian Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s Unknown Drop Earrings
European More Necklaces
Early 20th Century British Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Modern Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Brooches
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Natural Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique Mid-19th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold...
Antique 1890s French Late Victorian Models and Miniatures
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
2010s Swiss Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k...
2010s Swiss Art Nouveau Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century German Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s German Modern Solitaire Rings
Pearl, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Clip-on Earrings
Natural Pearl, White Diamond, White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Art Deco Drop Earrings
Pearl, Natural Pearl
Antique 1860s Unknown Late Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1920s English Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, 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 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.
- 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.